Partitions

[Sleepy 1]

I made a mistake when installing Windows 7 on a 150GB hard drive which previously had three partitions.I formatted all three and chose to install the OS to a 75 gb partition.
Everything installed ok but I am 75 GB down on hard disc space.
Is there any simple ways to amalgamate the other 75GB partiton to give me back my original size of 150GB?

 

[Barman58]

If they are empty and located next to each other then you can use the built in application to delete the rightmost partition and extend the other into the empty space created.

If the partitions are complete with data and or not next to each other then you can still combine the two partitions but would need a 3rd party application with more advanced functionality

 

[Sleepy 1]

If they are empty and located next to each other then you can use the built in application to delete the rightmost partition and extend the other into the empty space created.

If the partitions are complete with data and or not next to each other then you can still combine the two partitions but would need a 3rd party application with more advanced functionality

Thanks for that Barman58.
Where would I find the built in application and what would be the name of the program?
My apologies as I'm not very technical with all this.

 

[Orpheous]

Hi Sleepy 1, I believe he's referring to Start - Control Panel - Administrative Tools - Computer Management - Disk Management (under the storage heading)

 

[Barman58]

If you open the start menu (admin user ), and right click on the computer link you should have a manage option.

Click on this (ok UAC if asked) and you should then have a management console - one item here is disk management.

If you want someone to confirm that what you want to do is possible take a screenshot of this app showing the actual partitions you have and post it here.

We'll take a look and advise further

@Orpheous

Hi Sleepy 1, I believe he's referring to Start - Control Panel - Administrative Tools - Computer Management - Disk Management (under the storage heading)

Same destination different route

 

[Sleepy 1]

If you open the start menu (admin user ), and right click on the computer link you should have a manage option.

Click on this (ok UAC if asked) and you should then have a management console - one item here is disk management.

If you want someone to confirm that what you want to do is possible take a screenshot of this app showing the actual partitions you have and post it here.

We'll take a look and advise further

@Orpheous

Hi Sleepy 1, I believe he's referring to Start - Control Panel - Administrative Tools - Computer Management - Disk Management (under the storage heading)

Same destination different route

Most helpful Barman thank you so much for that.

 

[Sleepy 1]

Hi Sleepy 1, I believe he's referring to Start - Control Panel - Administrative Tools - Computer Management - Disk Management (under the storage heading)

Many thanks for your help too Orpheous.

 

[Sleepy 1]

This is what I'm seeing under'Disc Management' as requested.

 

[Barman58]

Ok looking at the partition layout there, you can do various things

The c: partition is self contained which is a good thing - the boot files are there so and it is the active partition so that any work with the other partitions will not effect the install

The bad news is that the partitions are in the wrong order for use with the built-in application - except for a non ideal result which I will explain.

Using the built in application you can right click on the two empty partitions and delete them. This will leave you space of 75GB that you can then right click and create a new partition and allocate a drive letter to, which will work from within windows and show as the c: and another, (D?), drive.

The issue with this is that it is not optimal to have the system partition at the end, (right side), of the drive.

If you wish to move the system partition to the start of the drive, (left side), you will need to use a 3rd party tool to delete the two empty partitions, move the system drive to the start of the drive, and then create the new partition at the end.

The tool I use is partition wizard ( the bootable disk version, as this makes things easier to move system partitions), which is free and has a good help section on the site with step by step tutorials for using the software

Partition Wizard is a Windows based FREE Partition Manager. It works as partition magic and supports Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista/2008 server and Windows 7. FREE for Home and Business user.

Which method you use is of course your choice - the first method will work but the second is better if you later need to adjust sizes.

 

[Sleepy 1]

Ok looking at the partition layout there, you can do various things

The c: partition is self contained which is a good thing - the boot files are there so and it is the active partition so that any work with the other partitions will not effect the install

The bad news is that the partitions are in the wrong order for use with the built-in application - except for a non ideal result which I will explain.

Using the built in application you can right click on the two empty partitions and delete them. This will leave you space of 75GB that you can then right click and create a new partition and allocate a drive letter to, which will work from within windows and show as the c: and another, (D?), drive.

The issue with this is that it is not optimal to have the system partition at the end, (right side), of the drive.

If you wish to move the system partition to the start of the drive, (left side), you will need to use a 3rd party tool to delete the two empty partitions, move the system drive to the start of the drive, and then create the new partition at the end.

The tool I use is partition wizard ( the bootable disk version, as this makes things easier to move system partitions), which is free and has a good help section on the site with step by step tutorials for using the software

Partition Wizard is a Windows based FREE Partition Manager. It works as partition magic and supports Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista/2008 server and Windows 7. FREE for Home and Business user.

Which method you use is of course your choice - the first method will work but the second is better if you later need to adjust sizes.

Thank you for your time and detailed explanation Barman58, most helpful.
I must apologize for my technical inability.
If I were to use the first method would it still allow me to store/ access/read any saved files that were created from the main Windows 7 partition apart from the drawbacks that you suggested?

Many thanks again
Rob

 

[Barman58]

Hi Rob,

Yes from the operating system point of view (inside Win7) you would see a C: drive with your system files and another drive, (assume D, which to start with would be empty

I forgot to mention that in order to use the D: drive you will need to format the new drive after creation, The option will be presented in the drive management application.

Also when you actually create the new partition you will be asked to select the type of drive you want - as you are only having a total of two the easiest is a primary.

The only advice I would give is to take your time and if you're not sure of anything either try the built in help on the Drive management app or post back here with specifics

 

[Sleepy 1]

Hi Rob,

Yes from the operating system point of view (inside Win7) you would see a C: drive with your system files and another drive, (assume D, which to start with would be empty

I forgot to mention that in order to use the D: drive you will need to format the new drive after creation, The option will be presented in the drive management application.

Also when you actually create the new partition you will be asked to select the type of drive you want - as you are only having a total of two the easiest is a primary.

The only advice I would give is to take your time and if you're not sure of anything either try the built in help on the Drive management app or post back here with specifics

Ok that all makes a little more sense to me now.

Cheers Nigel