Extending volume

[berkleysdad09]

Hey everyone.
Not too long ago I created a new partition in order to store a full system backup on my laptop. Recently, I've tried to extend my main partition over that one to utilize the space I'd set apart for the backup since I was going to start backing up using optical media.

When trying to extend the main partition, it doesn't give me the option since the main partition is to the right of the other partition. I tried using the command prompt to delete the partition and get it to 'unallocated space' so that I could use the command prompt to extend the main partition over, but now I'm getting the error: "Delete is not allowed on the current boot, system, pagefile,
crashdump or hibernation volume." How do I remove the pagefile from this partition? The pagefile is also part of the main partition.

Is this the only problem that I will run into? I should be able to format the partition, and then use the cmd prompt to extend the main partition left right? Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks

 

[NTFS]

Delete it in disk management and then extend the main one over it.

 

[karlsnooks]

Hey everyone.
Not too long ago I created a new partition in order to store a full system backup on my laptop. Recently, I've tried to extend my main partition over that one to utilize the space I'd set apart for the backup since I was going to start backing up using optical media.

When trying to extend the main partition, it doesn't give me the option since the main partition is to the right of the other partition. I tried using the command prompt to delete the partition and get it to 'unallocated space' so that I could use the command prompt to extend the main partition over, but now I'm getting the error: "Delete is not allowed on the current boot, system, pagefile,
crashdump or hibernation volume." How do I remove the pagefile from this partition? The pagefile is also part of the main partition.

Is this the only problem that I will run into? I should be able to format the partition, and then use the cmd prompt to extend the main partition left right? Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks

Please attach a pic of the output of DISKMANAGEMENT.MSC to your next post.

You can use MS Paint or the Snipping tool (WIN | type Snipping Tool |Enter key to capture the disk management output.

Here's a link to a tutorial:
How to Post a Screenshot in Seven Forums - Windows 7 Forums

 

[Night Hawk]

Welcome to the Seven Forums! berkleysdad09

You won't be able to resize the C primary while booted in the OS installed on it. For this you would need to boot live from a 3rd party drive tool program's own live cd to effectively remove the second partition and expand the present C primary into that space.

The first thing to do since you are planning to use removable media would be backing up anything important first before any partition changes are made in case the partition table is damaged. That would trash the entire C primary resulting in the need to restart fresh with everything if unable to be repaired.

The resize option seen in the drive tools included with the 7 recovery dvd wouldn't be advised for this while other free drive programs are available. Partition Wizard is one more popular here. Free Download Magic Partition Manager Software – Partition Wizard Online

The free Linux drive tool GParted or Gnome Partition Editor is another drive program you use while booted live from cd or even usb flash drive in order to repartition drives. That requires a program that can burn iso disk images onto cd or a program like the shareware download of UltraISO to see written to a flash drive made bootable.

 

[karlsnooks]

Berkeleysdad,

The pic of the disk management output could very well influence our recommendation.

I do suspect that you will be best served with a 3rd party tool.

Do NOT use Partition Magic. This has caused problems with Win 7.

The big favorite with the contributors here is Partition Wizard.
I'm going to give you a list of partition/backup/restore software and also a link to a tutorial on using Partition Wizard.

DISK COPY/CLONE/PARTITION/BACKUP/RESTORE SOFTWARE


PARTITION WIZARD (a favorite of many SevenForum contributors)
Free download partition magic, partition manager and partition wizard online.
Free Download Magic Partition Manager Software – Partition Wizard Online


MACRIUM REFLECT
Macrium Reflect Backup and Hard Disk Imaging for Windows 7, Vista, XP and Server 2003/2008

Macrium Reflect. A complete hard disk image and backup software solution for your PC. Protect your personal documents, photos, music and emails. Upgrade your hard disk or try new operating systems in the safe knowledge that everything is securely saved in an easily recovered backup file

PARAGON BACKUP AND RECOVERY SOFTWARE
Free Backup Software: Paragon Backup & Recovery Free Edition - Overview
Backup & Recovery Free Edition
Total PC Protection for Serious Users! Take complete control of your PC’s safety. Based on solid commercial backup and recovery software from Paragon, the new Backup & Recovery Free Edition will give you a rich set of features that you can trust. Smart people backup; Backup & Recovery is smart backup.

EASEUS
EASEUS Disk Copy is a FREE reliable disaster recovery, hard disk copy, disk clone, partition copy, backup freeware. Support for all Hard Drive and removable drive.
EASEUS Disk Copy: Free Disk Copy, Disk Clone, Partition Copy Software. Sector by Sector for hard drive backup freeware.


WINDOWS 7
Backup & Restore (WIN | type back | Enter)
Disk Management (DiskMgmt.msc)
Disk Partitioning (DiskPart)
==================================
==================================
Didn't find the tutorial. Maybe it didn't make it into the tutorial index yet.
Maybe someone else will point you to the tutorial.

 

[Night Hawk]

If you have a live repair cd which is one option available in 7 for creating a cd containing the repair tools found on the 7 upgrade or full version disks you could also see the C primary extended using the DiskPart tool. You would still have to be booted live however as far as the main partition is concerned.

First you have to take into account the hidden recovery partition the laptop has if 7 came preinstalled and get to know how the drive is layed out. Once booted live you then go to the command prompt option and type diskpart at the dos type prompt followed by the use of the "list volume" command.

Each partition will be labeled as Volume 0, Volume 1, and Volume 2 depending on where the recovery partition is found at the start or rear of the drive. On some laptops that may be seen at the back end about 7gb or larger in size. On others that will proceed the main C primary.

So assuming C is Volume 2 you would then type "select volume 2" and press enter for that command. The confirmation when the command is entered correctly will then be displayed in the command prompt window.

The next and last step before typing exit or clicking on the corner to close out the command prompt is simply typing "extend" and pressing enter to watch for "DiskPart successfully extended the volume". That will automatically see the C primary fill in the unallocated drive space left behind when removing the secondary backup partition you were using.

Simply type "exit" to close up the window and restart the laptop to see if all goes well. With favorable results the main C primary is now seen using the full capacity less recovery partition(7-10+gb on average).

 

[gregrocker]

Need the Disk Mgmt screenshot. If both partitions are Primary then use free Partition Wizard bootable CD linked above.

Rightclick partition to Delete, OK.

Then rightclick adjacent partition to Resize over deleted space, OK. Apply all steps.

If any of these partitions sit on boot sector, Win7 might not now start. Make sure it is marked Active with PW, then boot Win7 DVD Repair console or Repair CD, click through to Recovery Tools list to run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times with reboots to repair MBR until Win7 starts.

Backup a System Image and your files externally as 3rd party software Resizing operations can fail, although we haven't had one fail with PW CD in hundreds we've helped with here.

 

[Night Hawk]

You won't have to worry about marking anything active when simply expanding the C primary out to fill the drive space in since that is already an active primary.

If you were adding a new partition instead of removing one once the new volume wizard is followed and a drive letter is assigned for a new volume the new partition is then made active when Windows mounts it as a new logical drive. Another hard drive being added on would be initialized at that time and be seen as online.

The main concern would be making sure to back up anything important from the drive before proceeding with either method or program just in case something fails like the partition table getting corrupted in the process.

If you were working with an external the advice on creating a system image of the entire drive would be a thought just in case of any mishap when going to resize was seen you would simply restore the image. karlsnooks posted a few links for some free home versions earlier as well as the builtin image tool available in 7.

 

[karlsnooks]

Berkeleysdad,
Please follow GregRocker's advice.
He has much real world experience in this very area.
I always listen to him.

 

[berkleysdad09]

screenshot of disk management

I've included a screenshot of disk management to see if that will help clarify what is going on. Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to respond already.

 

[berkleysdad09]

Here, also, is a screenshot of my attempt to delete the Desktop Backup partition through Disk Part.

 

[karlsnooks]

Currently your paging file is in the partition you desire to delete.

For the time being complete eliminate any paging. Shutdown your computer. Turn on your computer. Now with Disk Management you should be able to delete the partition.

Win + Pause/Break | in the left-hand pane, click on Advanced System Settings |

the ADVANCED tab will be selected automatically |
in the Performance Section, Click on Settings button |
choose the ADVANCED tab | in the Virtual Memory section, click on CHANGE button |
For each drive, Select the drive and click on the No Paging File radio button |
SET button | OK your way out

Go back again and make sure that you now have no paging file.

Now SHUTDOWN (nor restart)
PowerUp

Now you should be able to delete that partition/volume

 

[karlsnooks]

Knew we had one.

Here's a fine tutorial on changing, etc the paging file.
Virtual Memory Paging File - Change - Vista Forums

 

[Night Hawk]

The commands were entered incorrectly. Once you have Volume 1 selected simply type "clean" to see that removed. You will want to type help at the command line as well as refer to DiskPart

What most don't realize is that the commands entered for 7 differ slightly from those used for 2000, XP, Vista. Instead of select Disk 1 you would select Volume 1 and enter the clean command.

Regardless the main problem you face there however is later seeing the need to move the present C primary forward to the front of the drive. The images here will show how one drive was simply wiped clean using DiskPart to later see a brand new volume created on a secondary drive.

You can also opt to nuke the drive and create a new single primary faster but would then start off fresh with a clean install. Moving the C primary forward and then expanding it to fill the drive would be time consuming and if anything does go wrong you would end up nuking it just the same. A 3rd party drive tool will show where the recovery partition is while you are not able to see it in the Disk Management being hidden by design.

 

[gregrocker]

Use free Partition Wizard bootable CD. This great new tutorial on it's use will show you how to delete the undesired partition, resize Win7 into its space: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/93322-partition-wizard-use-bootable-cd.html

Use Option One and just substitute your backup partition for the 100mb partition it is targeting. You can Resize on the right side too if you want to make room for a data partition.

Afterwards you'll likely need to repair the MBR: boot into the Win7 DVD Repair console or Repair CD, click through to Recovery Tools list to run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times with reboots until Win7 starts.

Back up your files and a Win7 backup image externally before starting.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html


Edit: I have typed the steps for doing exactly this operation over a hundred times but am now letting BarefootKid's tutorial take over. Let me know if you need any explication. I suddenly feel less useful.

 

[karlsnooks]

Night Hawk,
The DiskPart Clean command is a disk level and not a volume level command.

DISKPART> help clean

Removes any and all partition or volume formatting from the disk with
focus.

Syntax: CLEAN [ALL]

ALL Specifies that each and every byte\sector on the disk is set to
zero, which completely deletes all data contained on the disk.

On master boot record (MBR) disks, only the MBR partitioning information
and hidden sector information are overwritten. On GUID partition table
(GPT) disks, the GPT partitioning information, including the Protective
MBR, is overwritten. If the ALL parameter is not used, the first 1MB
and the last 1MB of the disk are zeroed. This erases any disk formatting
that had been previously applied to the disk. The disk's state after
cleaning the disk is 'UNINITIALIZED'.

Example:

CLEAN

 

[Night Hawk]

Night Hawk,
The DiskPart Clean command is a disk level and not a volume level command.

DISKPART> help clean

Removes any and all partition or volume formatting from the disk with
focus.

Syntax: CLEAN [ALL]

ALL Specifies that each and every byte\sector on the disk is set to
zero, which completely deletes all data contained on the disk.

On master boot record (MBR) disks, only the MBR partitioning information
and hidden sector information are overwritten. On GUID partition table
(GPT) disks, the GPT partitioning information, including the Protective
MBR, is overwritten. If the ALL parameter is not used, the first 1MB
and the last 1MB of the disk are zeroed. This erases any disk formatting
that had been previously applied to the disk. The disk's state after
cleaning the disk is 'UNINITIALIZED'.

Example:

CLEAN

If berkleysdad09 was simply prepping the drive for a fresh clean install to avoid contending with moving the C primary forward(time consuming) following the removal of the F storage partition presently in front of C the ideal world would say simply clean everything off to start over fresh if a 7 disk was onhand.

When you look at the 3rd image there you will notice where the cursor is pointing to as far as turning the drive made "raw" and offline back to being "online" there before proceeding any further. berkleysdad09 will still need a 3rd party program regardless to move C forward in order to expand it afterwards.

 

[berkleysdad09]

I was able to wipe the smaller partition into unallocated space, but am having trouble merging that space with the main partition. With Partition Magic, it won't let me merge those two partitions because I'm using the main partition by using the OS. I tried to create a bootable disk of PM, but for some reason I can't get it to boot before the OS starts. I've done everything in the BIOS that needs to be done. Any ideas?

 

[karlsnooks]

berkeleysdad,

Do NOT use Partition Magic.

Use Partition Wizard.

PARTITION WIZARD (a favorite of many SevenForum contributors)
Free download partition magic, partition manager and partition wizard online.
Free Download Magic Partition Manager Software – Partition Wizard Online




Download the .ISO version and burn to a CD and then boot from the CD.


We've got a tutorial on Partition Wizard. Just don't know if it made it into the index yet.

 

[karlsnooks]

Be sure to go down that web page to you see the CD version. That's the one you want to be able to burn it to CD and boot from it.

I gave one to a friend just yesterday and he is well-pleased.