Partitioning software incompatibilities

[Howard Kaikow]

I recently enountered siginificant incompatibilities using Partition Magic in Windows 2000 creating a dual boot Windows 2000/Ubuntu Linux system.

I realize that PM must not be used in Vista or Windows 7.

I am planning on having two Windows 7 systems as follows:

1. Dual boot Windows XP Pro/Windows 7 Pro.
2. Dual boot Windows Vista Home Premium/Windows 7 Home.

For the XP system, I could format the partitionss using Partition Magic, run from XP, but if I later wish to add a Linux partition. I'd likely have the same problem I desctibed in the link supra.

For the Vista system, I could format the partitions using Acronis Disk Director 10, run from Vista. Again, this might be complicated by using Disk Director, I do not yet know.

So, what partitioning software is required for the following cases:

1. Dual boot XP/Windows 7
2. Dual boot Vista/Windows 7
3. Triple-boot XP/Windows 7/Ubuntu Linux.
4. Triple boot Vista/Windows 7/Ubuntu Linux

I am asking this same question in a Vista and in an Ubuntu forum.

 

[pparks1]

I would use Gparted...which is an open source partitioning software very similar to Partition Magic....without the cost or hassle of obtaining it via other means. I've used on workstations, servers, etc...and it's always completed the task.

 

[Howard Kaikow]

I would use Gparted...which is an open source partitioning software very similar to Partition Magic....without the cost or hassle of obtaining it via other means. I've used on workstations, servers, etc...and it's always completed the task.

Probably best solution.

My problem was that the physical drive had already been formatted with Partition Magic and had an NTFS partition.

Apparently, PM does not play nice with partitions created other than by PM.

I have 3 PM licenses, total cost was, I believe, only about $20,
Guess I'll not use the other 2.

I do want to try Acronis Disk Director, either in XP or Vista.
I've heard that it's better than PM.
If I have the same problem as I had with PM, I'll wipe out the disk, repartition with GParted and restore Windows partitions from image backup.