HDD Partitioning query

[tomween1]

I am running Windows 7 Home. I created three partition's on my main hdd. I want to eliminate one of the partitions and add it back to my C partition (Boot partition) but can't figure how to merge the two.

 

[MadMaxData]

Are you using any third party partition software?

 

[CommonTater]

I am running Windows 7 Home. I created three partition's on my main hdd. I want to eliminate one of the partitions and add it back to my C partition (Boot partition) but can't figure how to merge the two.

There's lots of software out there that *says* it will do this but it doesn't always work. Disk partitions are physical regions on the drive, not software concoctions like drive letters. You change them at your own risk... Moving partition boundaries can (and sometimes does) break directory structures and master file tables... so you do this at your own risk...

Partition Master seems to be the best.

 

[MadMaxData]

Partition Master seems to be the best.

I prefer Symantec's Partition Magic.

But yeah, good advise on the warning with messing around with partitions.

 

[Zomby88]

I am running Windows 7 Home. I created three partition's on my main hdd. I want to eliminate one of the partitions and add it back to my C partition (Boot partition) but can't figure how to merge the two.

Partition Wizard Home 4.2.2 works GREAT!!! Just did a dual boot with it, not 1 issue.

http://download.cnet.com/Partition-Wizard-Home-Edition/3000-2094_4-10962200.html

 

[Zomby88]

You may want to consider leaving it for awhile, who knows maybe you could install Windows 95 on it !!!

I`m sorry it`s Good Friday , I couldn`t help myself !!!

Happy Holidays Everyone and How Bout this weather !!!!!!!

 

[karlsnooks]

I am running Windows 7 Home. I created three partition's on my main hdd. I want to eliminate one of the partitions and add it back to my C partition (Boot partition) but can't figure how to merge the two.

Would you please include a copy of the output of Disk Management in your next post?

WIN key
type DISKMGMT.MSC
Enter key

Use the Snipping Tool to "capture" the window
WIN key
type Snipping Tool
Enter key

Attach the "clip" in your next post

WIN key == has funny looking wavy flag on it.

 

[Zomby88]

I am running Windows 7 Home. I created three partition's on my main hdd. I want to eliminate one of the partitions and add it back to my C partition (Boot partition) but can't figure how to merge the two.

Would you please include a copy of the output of Disk Management in your next post?

WIN key
type DISKMGMT.MSC
Enter key

Use the Snipping Tool to "capture" the window
WIN key
type Snipping Tool
Enter key

Attach the "clip" in your next post

WIN key == has funny looking wavy flag on it.

Isn`t that going about it the hard way ?

 

[tomween1]

Are you using any third party partition software?

No I'm using Win 7's partitioner

 

[tomween1]

I think this is what your looking for?

 

[karlsnooks]

tomween1,
excellent. You are almost there.

Right-click on the 'K" drive.
Choose Delete volume

Right-click on the space where the K was.
Select Delete Partition

right-click on your C drive area
choose Extend volume

Next your way out (in other words, take any defaults presented)

 

[DarkStar GT]

I must be missing something: Microsoft's TechNet says that a system or boot partition cannot be extended.

Extend a Basic Volume
Extend a Simple or Spanned Volume

 

[Barman58]

The reason for issues in adjusting windows system partitions, is often due to things such as the pagefile, hibernate file, and basic fragmentation - the built in disk manager is ultra conservative in this matter, and therefore will often state that the change is not possible.

It is however normally possible to perform these changes with third party solutions. For system partitions I always recommend a bootable disk option as you do not want to change the system that you are running from .

The partition wizard software mentioned above provides such a disk and will work on system partitions, although it does advise against it.

What I advise is that you back up, everything you cannot replace and have a windows install DVD handy, as even after a successful system partition change it may be required to perform a start-up repair.

 

[tomween1]

The reason for issues in adjusting windows system partitions, is often due to things such as the pagefile, hibernate file, and basic fragmentation - the built in disk manager is ultra conservative in this matter, and therefore will often state that the change is not possible.

It is however normally possible to perform these changes with third party solutions. For system partitions I always recommend a bootable disk option as you do not want to change the system that you are running from .

The partition wizard software mentioned above provides such a disk and will work on system partitions, although it does advise against it.

What I advise is that you back up, everything you cannot replace and have a windows install DVD handy, as even after a successful system partition change it may be required to perform a start-up repair.

Would I benefit from creating a digital image, rather, would this be the best way of protecting my existing Windows set up? Further, do you recommend a decent Dig Img software?

Thanks, Tom

 

[Barman58]

An image of the system would be a good failsafe solution, though you have to be sure that the image can be restored to the new configuration (changed partition). some older image software had issues with this type of thing.

I can personally recommend acronis products that I use myself but as these are commercial products you may prefer a free solution such as Macrium which is highly regarded by members here.

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

I would probably do a separate data backup in addition to the system image as I like to be totally secure.

 

[Barman58]

Free version of software is here ....

Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download

 

[tomween1]

An image of the system would be a good failsafe solution, though you have to be sure that the image can be restored to the new configuration (changed partition). some older image software had issues with this type of thing.

I can personally recommend acronis products that I use myself but as these are commercial products you may prefer a free solution such as Macrium which is highly regarded by members here.

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

I would probably do a separate data backup in addition to the system image as I like to be totally secure.

Thanks. Since my last post I have been looking into Imaging software. There is a lot of hype about Windows 7 version, is this one to stay away from?

 

[Barman58]

Not sure what you mean by Windows 7 version, but if you are talking about the built-in disk management applet then I would say that it is a usable tool for basic tasks that do not involve system partitions, but 3rd party solutions are a lot more powerful and often more pleasant to use

 

[karlsnooks]

I must be missing something: Microsoft's TechNet says that a system or boot partition cannot be extended.

Extend a Basic Volume
Extend a Simple or Spanned Volume

Been doing some testing in the shrink volume area lately.

Have shrunk, extended, restored all kinds of volumes in last two days. Null Problemo. True, one needs to know the ropes but they can be extended.

 

[Barman58]

hi Karl,

my experience with the built in software has been a little mixed - with non system partitions, no issues but with system partitions, sometimes it's fine, sometimes it's not. Because of this and the success I've had with other software I only tend to use the built in software for a quick check on systems without other options installed, and then fire up a boot disk to do the work