Partitioning main hard disk

[hatemf23]

Hi all,

As I was installing Win7 on a wiped 250gb hard disk I didnt get the option to partition the disk (the usual blue screen in win XP setup) now all the 250 gb is for windows, how do I partition the drive without touching the currently installed windows?

and for future reference at what stage do I get to partition when im installing win7?

thanks

 

[whs]

Watch this tutorial. It explains it all: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/72427-data-partition.html On the page, there are also links to a few additional tutorials.

 

[MilesAhead]

Control Panel=>Administrative Tools=>Computer Management then on the left click on Disk Management. You may want to defrag first so you can shrink C: down more. Then just format the free space and give it a drive letter. Or you can use a better partition tool like Partition Wizard... but for what you are doing the Windows admin tools are good enough.

It's a good idea before messing with disks to make an image backup. You can get free backup tools such as Macrium Reflect or others. It's especially easy if you have some USB external drives or a docking station.

When you try to shrink C: it will tell you the smallest you can make it. If it won't let you shrink it much then you might need to defrag first to move the files to the front of the partition.

afa the Windows install, I've always done Custom install, never a clean format. I suspect you need to set up your partitions first with something you can boot like Partition Wizard boot CD.

 

[gregrocker]

Use Disk Mgmt to shrink partiton as suggested, since it cannot fail while 3rd party partitioning tools can. However, the suggest Partition Wizard has not failed yet in 100+ Resizing operations we have helped with here. So you could use it if Disk Mgmt won't shrink Win7 enought to your liking.

Then use Custom>Drive Tools on Win7 installer to create and format the partition in the unallocated space you have shrunk.

 

[hatemf23]

Posted before reading the post above.

thanks, il try it

 

[canspec]

Partition program

Watch this tutorial. It explains it all: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/72427-data-partition.html On the page, there are also links to a few additional tutorials.

Is there a Partition Program that runs on Win 7 64-bit that you can recommend that will do all of the partition stuff easily(just new at this)? Thank you for you time as always!

 

[MilesAhead]

I've heard nothing but good things about Partition Wizard. I have the boot CD burned in case I need it, but my setup is pretty stable as is:

Partition Wizard is a Magic Server Partition Manager Software for Windows Server 2000/2003/2008 and Windows 2000/XP/Vista/Windows 7.

There are 2 types, the boot CD, and the Windows program. For a newbie the disk management, although it has it's quirks, may be good because it tends to stop you from doing stuff to the running partition that would break it.

But you never learn if you never take any chances. Just make sure your disk is backed up with a backup image to an external drive, and make sure you test the restore program can see your HD controller. Assuming stuff will work brings on much sadness.

 

[gregrocker]

Free Download Partition Wizard

Use bootable CD version. As suggested earlier, try to do your shrinking using Disk mgmt which will not fail, whereas partition manager software can sometimes fail at Resizing.

(Edit: Miles covered it perfectly above - we were posting at same time)

 

[hatemf23]

Ok, Ive taken an image and ready to resize, and wondering what things I should take into consideration when resizing, and leaving enough free space in system partition to keeping windows from slowing down

its not really that important, I could estimate it but I am wondering about the technical side (page file... etc) so I know what im doing

 

[MilesAhead]

Leave more in C: than you think you will need. Stuff likes to install DLLs and other junk in C: even if you install the main program in F:. C: has a way of creeping up bigger while you're not watchin'.

 

[whs]

The size of your system partition will depend on what you plan to install. Normally, 30GB should be enough. But with 50GB you are on the safe side. That assumes your data is in a seperate partition.