Solved External HDD add partition

[bawldiggle]

I have an external 300GB USB HDD that I want to create a second partition on.
- the HDD is 4% used (96% available)
- as a precaution I have backed up all data (5,500 files)

Is it possible to create the second partition via Windows or must I use a bootable (MiniTools) ?
- recently on another PC I resized the C:\ partition with 100% success using bootable MiniTools
- I have both bootable and installed MiniTools

Should I ...

1. defrag the USB (spinner) drive before adding the second partition ?
2. use a bootable MiniTools to create the new partition ?
   Or can I create the new partition via Windows with local installed MinTools ?
   I also have local install of AOMEI

Thank you

-------
SIDE NOTE:
I spent 3 days testing "Copy/Move" programs, some are not very user friendly and some do not verify copied files.
For 12GB -- Windows "Copy" required 1½hrs ... portable "FastCopy" by PortableApps.com ... 42 minutes
With Log report enabled FastCopy lists any errors/problems on both the GUI and a .LOG file
.

 

[DavidE]

You should be able to use Windows Disk Management or Minitools installed or bootable to resize and create a new partition on the external drive.
Post a maximized/resized screen print of Disk Management using these instructions so all info is displayed:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/274797-disk-management-post-screen-capture-image.html

Why do you want to create a new partition on the external drive ?
What are you going to use the external for (data,games,programs,etc.) ?
Have you moved any systems files, user folders, installed programs, games, etc. to the external drive
, or is that what you want to do ?

 

[bawldiggle]

I well understand how a HDD can flog-out if the head is constantly moving between partitions, and the wisdom of multiple folders rather than multiple partitions.

Why do you want to create a new partition on the external drive ?
To simplify my answer ...
- all my program downloads (some of them) are currently in C:\Downloads\ ... (I don't use Libraries)
- once a program is installed (sometimes) I move the download to the external HDD X:\ProgArchives (folder)
- sometimes = my house keeping has been rather haphazard and I am not Mr.Neat

In my C:\Downloads folder I have several ISO files >2.5GB
- when I defrag C:\ when I need to (or about monthly) with Defraggler the process takes hours
- and there is no point in defragging program downloads

So I thought it was about time I better organized file storage.

I currently use the external HDD for all data (not the primary C:\ drive) with about 8,500 TXT files + other file types
- every download I make is accompanied by an "About (app name).txt"
- I use FileSearchEX to find file contents, particularly the TXT files (VB/A code snippets)
- the FSex results page fills with a lot of programs "About~.txt" files which I dont want

Have you moved any systems files, user folders, installed programs, games, etc. to the external drive
No!
- System files belong in the System
- user folders have not been relocated, I find MS Libraries useless
- installed programs (and portables) are mounted in C:\ other wise my overly zealous AV has a hissy-fit.
- games ... at 70 I find PC games brain-numbingly boring, better things to do with my time

... or is that what you want to do ?
I want to store program downloads (EXE, ZIP, RAR) etc in the new partition, out of range of defrag and FielSearchEX.

C:\ ... keep it basic for system (less to de'fraggler)
External HDD:
D:\ ... data I search on a regular basis with FileSearchEX
X:\ ... the new partition for archived program downloads, I rarely search nor do I want to defrag

Why the external HDD ?
- I maintain 5 (stand alone) desktops and 2 laptops in my consulting business.
- it is easier to keep all AutoCad snippets etc on one drive rather than a plethora of thumb drives
... where is that thumb drive ? And what is on this thumbdrive ? ... I am sure you know the routine

 

[bawldiggle]

Nearly forgot ...

 

[ignatzatsonic]

You should certainly be able to partition F as you want with Windows Disk Management. No harm in using some other tool if you prefer.

I'd avoid Defraggler to the extent it is increasing your angst or takes up time. I'd just use Windows default defrag and set it to run weekly and automatically. I've never had a drive get to even 5% fragmentation with that method. I check my fragmentation levels occasionally and 98% of the time the analysis shows 0 percent fragmentation. I haven't done a manual deliberate defrag in 6 or 7 years.

But I do understand that defragging and system "cleaning" generally can be subject to obsessiveness and that you might be unwilling to give up Defraggler or any other tool you've been using.

 

[bawldiggle]

Hi ignatzatsonic

My laptop was taking 7 minutes to cold boot. Normally <1 minute.
- a system repair did not fix it
- and a clean install is out of the question until I get my new Lenovo setup "properly" and imaged.

Defragmentation was 28%.
The old favorite "MyDefrag" did not help, so I gave Defraggler a try, nothing tried nothing gained.
- it took 4+ hours to defrag (with Defraggler) and now the lappy boots in 48 seconds. More like it.

The defrag was long winded because of the large number of big program downloads (ISOs etc)I have on C:\
- the reason for my OP
- I know the system drive cannot be altered in Windows but I wasn't sure if an external HDD can be done in Windows ?
I have already resized the system drive on the Lenovo with bootable MiniTools,
- B.MT moved system files to accommodate the shrunk system drive.
- a white knuckle ride for this first timer

Does Windows Disk manager move existing data on external devices ?
- if not, does local MiniTools move existing data ? I Know bootable MT does

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Does Windows Disk manager move existing data on external devices ?
- if not, does local MiniTools move existing data ? I Know bootable MT does

I don't use externals, but I've never heard that it won't move data as necessary on externals.

In your situation, you would choose "shrink volume" from the Action/other tasks menu in Windows Disk Management. You choose some specified amount to shrink, which would generate a bunch of "unallocated space". You would then turn that unallocated space into a partition and format it--also from WDM.

Or use some other tool.

I've done it a few times without any problems, but it's a good idea to have your stuff backed up.

 

[DavidE]

Does Windows Disk manager move existing data on external devices ?
- if not, does local MiniTools move existing data ? I Know bootable MT does

I agree with everything ignatzatsonic posted.
WDM or any utility i know of can not move data while Windows is running and that data is unmovable.
That's why i asked the questions i did,
i.e. if you have a pagefile (unmovable) on the external, we could see that in WDM.

 

[bawldiggle]

MiniTools does move data.
I have done it twice. Once on a brand new Lenovo Win7 PRO 64bit with Bootable MiniTools, using Linux Ubuntu.
And then last night I resized my external USB HDD (drive "F:\") with portable MiniToolsHDD while Windows was running

It is written in stone ... "thou shalt not fiddle with the C: drive with Windows running"