New laptop, changing partition disks?

[NicoleUK]

New Samsung laptop, changing partition disks?

I got my new laptop today, the setup asked me about the partition which I had no idea about, so after watching this vid Samsung PC Software - Easy Partition Manager - YouTube
I was aiming to have my programs run on drive D and have personal files etc on drive C. So I gave drive D more space...

However, once I set up and started to transfer my files into my user file with the documents & pictures folders etc, the C drive only had 18% left while the D drive had 99%

I didn't know what to do, I read that I couldn't move my user folder to the D drive?? or move the pre installed programs to the D drive as it would cause issues. So I went into the disk management and tried to shrink the D drive. That was fine but it wasn't allowing me to extend the C drive. So I deleted drive D as I hadn't had much in it yet. However now, the 'free space' seems to be wrapped in a border saying 'extended partition'

I've no idea what do now, I don't know how to fix this and even so..I've no idea now how I should have set up with using two drives for programmes and my files.

Please could someone help me? I don't understand much of the technical stuff with this problem, which is probably why I should have left it alone.

Samsung NP-RF511-S02UK
Win 7 Premium 64bit




(Please read all of this thread as it shows the lack of good customer service by Samsung, I personally recommend people NOT to buy a Samsung laptop)

 

[DMHolt57]

Lets start with a screen shot of your disk management window...sounds like at this point, delete the D:\ partition, then it should become 'unallocated'. Then you set its size and format it NTFS default.

 

[gregrocker]

The benefit of having a separate data driver for storage or for your Win7 User folders is that it keeps your backup image smaller so that if Win7 ever becomes irreparable, you can boot the Repair CD or DVD to Recover Using An Image and reimage the C partition from the backup in 20 minutes with your data all safe and current in its separate partition.
Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup
System Image Recovery

To link User folders to D follow this method: User Folders - Change Default Location
Or do them all at once by moving your named User account: User Profile - Change Default Location

If you don't like this arrangement or want to wait awhile to decide, you can delete the D partition in Disk Management, then extend C into its space. Partition or Volume - Delete
Partition or Volume - Extend

 

[NicoleUK]

 

[NicoleUK]

And this is how is it when I delete the D drive, I still can't extend the C drive.

 

[gregrocker]

Setup gave you a Logical Extended partition since it was at the limit of four partitions and with Logical you can add additional ones within the extended partition.

But in order to delete fully an Extended partition you'll need to click on it again in Disk Mgmt to Delete Volume to change Logical Free Space to Primary Unallocated Space.

Then you can Extend C into it. Partition or Volume - Extend

 

[NicoleUK]

I've no idea what you mean by Logical extended partition. I think I managed to get the rest though, now does this look about right? Do you think it needs changing with the size allocation?
I didn't think to delete the partition again as I thought it was going to do something bad..shows how much I know! thank you for the info!

The question I have now though, is what would you recommend I do with how to use these two drives so I won't have to have any space problems again.

 

[gregrocker]

Did you even read my post explaining a second partition for storage or data?

The benefit of having a separate data driver for storage or for your Win7 User folders is that it keeps your backup image smaller so that if Win7 ever becomes irreparable, you can boot the Repair CD or DVD to Recover Using An Image and reimage the C partition from the backup in 20 minutes with your data all safe and current in its separate partition.
Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup
System Image Recovery

To link User folders to D follow this method: User Folders - Change Default Location
Or do them all at once by moving your named User account: User Profile - Change Default Location

If you don't like this arrangement or want to wait awhile to decide, you can delete the D partition in Disk Management, then extend C into its space. Partition or Volume - Delete
Partition or Volume - Extend

If you decided you want to keep D as a data partition, it would probably need to be a lot bigger to accomodate your User folders.

And if you don't plan on using Win7 backup imaging then there's no point to have it to keep the image smaller, unless you just want a separate storage space.

Why don't you actually read what has been written and ask questions based on what was explained instead of saying you don't understand something I've just tried to explain?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Look at the "Option One" section in this tutorial.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2668-partition-volume-delete.html

D is empty. You need to delete D.

That will result in "free space".

Then you need to delete the "free space".

That will result in "unallocated space".

Then you can extend C.

You won't be able to extend C until you have some "unallocated space" immediately to the right of C in Disk Management.

If desired, you could keep both C and D, of whatever size you want. Most people here use a C of maybe 80 or 100 GB and a D of all remaining space. But you don't have to have a D at all. It's purely personal choice.

 

[NicoleUK]

I apologise I should have mentioned that I did read it, but I didn't quite understand so that's why I have asked again. What I meant was with my confusion of how I should use each drive, advice on whether it's best for me to use D for programmes and C for files, or the other way round.

I see that you linked to me how to change my user file to D if that's the case. I also looked at the backup complete which through me off, but I will look more into that...on my old laptop the only backup I used was my external hardrive which I'm still planning on using, so that method is new to me.

Sorry for the misunderstanding, hope you get what I mean?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

You can use C for Windows, programs, and files.

Or you can use C for Windows and programs and D for files.

Your choice. Most here would tell you to use the second choice.

There is very little reason to put Windows and programs on different partitions.

 

[NicoleUK]

Thank you all

I'm going to go with the second option so I'll be changing the location of my user profile, and making the D drive a little bigger. Hope all goes well!

(Also, If I seem like a complete newbie..in my defence this is my first day on Windows 7, I was Vista basic for 5 years on a terrible laptop so I'm really glad that you have all helped me so far )

 

[gregrocker]

No prob, we are glad to help.

You might want to wait awhile to better gauge what size to make the D drive for User folders.

In the meanwhile you can try Windows backup imaging to see how it works, saving the backup image to external.

When ready Delete D in Disk Mgmt, shrink C as much as you need, then Create a New D drive.

Feel free to ask as many questions as you like.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

OK.

After you get rid of D, you should shrink C down to maybe 80 or 100 GB.

Then make a new D of all remaining space.

You might be able to do all of this with Windows Disk Management, but you MIGHT have to use Partition Wizard.

Let us know if you cannot get it done to your satisfaction with Disk Management.

 

[NicoleUK]

Ahh ok see if I was doing this without help I would have assumed that programmes need the bigger space!

I will give the backup a go and save to my external drive as you mentioned.

As of now my C drive has all my user files/folders and pre installed software that came with the laptop, all rounding up to 166gb. Just my user folder is coming up as 128 GB

 

[ignatzatsonic]

A homebuilt PC with a new Windows installation might only have 20 GB of occupied space on C.

But a store-bought PC will have lots of extra programs on it that you may not need. So, even with your personal files moved elsewhere, you might find that C still uses 30 GB or more.

Unless you are big into gaming or have a very unusual situation, C is not likely to need even 100 GB. I have an 80 GB C drive, of which only 30 is used--and I have about 50 applications installed on C.

Windows Disk Management can be a bit cranky. It may not let you shrink C as much as you might like---in which case you would have to use Partition Wizard, a free separate program download that is best run from a bootable disk.

You will have to experiment with Disk Management to see if it is cranky in your case.

 

[NicoleUK]

Yeah that makes sense, I won't be gaming but I'm a graphic and content designer so the biggest programs I'll be using will be a few Adobe softwares, the rest will just be the usual. I will take my time looking into this more before making any radical changes again and keep you updated.

 

[theog]

   Information

We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC.​

& made the Startup Repair CD.
startup repair disc-create ​

Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?


How to use Samsung Recovery, make Recovery disks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC8F0EsBXUY&feature=related

Get Downloads, Firmware, Manuals and Software for Samsung NP-RF511-S02US#

 

[NicoleUK]

   Information

We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC.
& made the Startup Repair CD.
startup repair disc-create
​

Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?


How to use Samsung Recovery, make Recovery disks:
Get Downloads, Firmware, Manuals and Software for Samsung NP-RF511-S02US#
What Is Samsung Recovery Solution III?
What Is Samsung Recovery Solution 4?

Get Downloads, Firmware, Manuals and Software for Samsung NP-RF511-S02US#

No I haven't made a OEM disk, not heard of that before but I'll read. Is it the same as the disk I got with my laptop. Samsung "System Recovery Media"

I have Samsung Recovery 5 already installed so I'll run the backup on that on my external.

 

[seavixen32]

Nicole, your Samsung Recovery Media should recover your computer to its out-of-box factory state including all the extra software that Samsung bundle with your computer.

An OEM Windows DVD just installs a copy of Windows without all the garbage these computer manufacturers love to land you with.

In case you didn't know, OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer and their copy of Windows can only be used on the computer it was installed to.