Solved HDD Partitioning

[sagaman]

Hi...
Need some advise on the following :
1. To do it using Win 7 utilities,i.e. Disk Management; or,
2. The conventional way ,i.e. format the HDD and do a clean installation and partitioning.

What is the pro's and con's?

Thks

 

[CyberZeus]

Hi sagaman and welcome to Seven Forums!

What's your goal?

 

[whs]

If you have win7 already installed, I would use Disk Management. Why reinstall. Here is a tutorial which may give you some clues: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/72427-data-partition.html

 

[DeaconFrost]

If it is a clean install, I prefer to have the drives blank and unpartitioned when I start the Windows setup.

 

[seavixen32]

I agree with DeaconFrost in that during a clean install you can create up to four primary partitions with the exact sizes you want.

If Windows is already installed you can use Disk Management, but it is basic and inflexible in determining partition sizes.

A better bet would be to use Partition Wizard: Free Partition Magic alternative. Free Partition Manager Software for Windows 7/VISTA/XP/2000 and Windows Server 2003/2008/2000.

 

[Teerex]

If it is a clean install, I prefer to have the drives blank and unpartitioned when I start the Windows setup.

Me too - I always install on unallocated space.

 

[sagaman]

Thks for all the advise and input.
Actually, I just bought a new lap top installed with Win7 Home Premium. However, it came with just C Drive - 500Gb. And I want to make a new partition - D Drive for data storage. I was informed by Customer Support that if you use W7 - Disk Management utilities ; there is a 50:50 chances that Window can be corrupted when I boot the system. Therefore, it was suggested to reformat the HDD and do a new clean installation complete with new partition.

So, I need some advise which is the best option? Does anyone have any problem when using disk management to do partitioning? If possible, I don't want to do reformat. Thks

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Disk Management works very well judging by reports on this forum. I've never had a problem with it.

DM may not allow you to shrink C as much as you would like, in which case you can use a third party utility. You'll have to try it see see how much shrinkage it will allow in your case.

 

[theog]

   Information

We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's app the first day you had your new PC.
& made the Startup Repair CD.

When you first started up your new notebook, why did you not use the partitioning option from the OEM manufacturer app?

Take a look at whs's video:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/72427-data-partition.html

For better help with problems, Can you post your specs.
http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/22550-filling-out-system-specs.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/hardware-devices/6936-dont-know-what-hardware-you-have.html
VistaForums SysInfo Tool - Vista Forums

 

[whs]

there is a 50:50 chances that Window can be corrupted

That is a bunch of Bull. But to be on the safe side, I suggest you first post an full image of your Disk Management. Chances are that you have several hidden primary partitions and if you already have 4 primary partitions, we have to do some finagling first before you can create any more partitions. Else you will indeed get into trouble.

 

[gregrocker]

Use the Snipping tool in Start Menu to post up your maximized Disk Management window showing all listings and map.

You may already have four Primary partitions and be at risk of accidentally converting to Dynamic disk if it isn't planned carefully.

As suggested Disk Mgmt is safest for the operations it will do and if it will shrink enough, then free Partition Wizard bootable CD is next best with great flexibility and reliabiity.

 

[CyberZeus]

sagaman, fill out your system specs: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/180324-system-info-see-your-system-specs.html
I suggest you to use Disk Management for partitioning, every software that partitions disks has always a chance to lose data. You can also use Best Free Partition Manager Freeware for Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP 32 bit & 64 bit. MiniTool Free Partition Manager Software Home Edition.

Hope this helps

 

[sagaman]

Hi, Thks for all the advise. It has been very helpful.

Anyway, this is the full view of my OS (C) . Can I make a new partition of 250 GB? And which is the best utilities to use; DM (Win7) or Minitool Free Partition Mgr?

Rgds

 

[whs]

You are OK, you have only 3 primaries. I would use Disk Management to shrink C and then create a new simple extended partition in the unallocated space you gain.

You will probably not be able to shrink more than appr. 200GBs. If that is not enough, you can resort to Partition Wizard.

 

[sagaman]

Hi whs,
I choose Partition Wizard in order to shrink more than 200GBs. However, when I execute the program the attached reminder appeared. Should I proceed with option A...Restart Now? Will there be any harm to my 'C' drive?

FYI , the Partition Wizard program is installed in 'C' drive. And I think ; I have already closed all program. Pls advise...

Thks

 

[whs]

Hmm, you are potentially heading for trouble. Here is what I suggest:

1. As I said before, make images of all partitions on that drive before you proceed. It was with Partition Wizard (which is an excellent program) that I lost all my partitions on one drive once. It was my mistake, but mistakes are easy to make. Fortunately I had all images and could easily rebuild the drive.

There are many imaging options although I prefer this one: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html?ltr=I

2. You must not use PW that is installed on your system. Use the bootable CD of PW so that nothing is running from the HDD. It is the last entry on this webpage: Free Download Magic Partition Manager Software - Partition Wizard Online Burn it to a CD and load from the optical reader.

 

[gregrocker]

Always use the free Partition Wizard bootable CD which has never failed in hundreds of complicated partitioning operations we have helped with here.

However when the partitioning can be done using Disk Mgmt, as can be done here, then you should use it as it is failsafe whereas any third party partitioning manager has its risks however small.

Partition or Volume - Shrink
Partition or Volume - Create New

You will want the Extended Logical partition it should offer you, but not a Dynamic one which it should not.

 

[sagaman]

Hi All,
I have successfully created a new partition.
Thks for all the feedback and support.
Keep up the good work.
Rgds

 

[Teerex]

I think I did mine pretty well. Perhaps it should serve as an example :kidding & bragging: