Shrinking Partition

[Joan Archer]

OK just been to see about creating a partition for installing Windows 7 and I'm showing my ignorance here with not understanding all these figures so if someone can shed some light on it I would be grateful.

I'll be back later to check but this is what it tells me when I ask about shrinking.

 

[Dwarf]

Hi Joan,

Have a look here: Disk Management - Shrink Partition - Vista Forums

NOTE: The value in the Total Size Before Shrink box indicates the current size of the partition and the value in the Size of Available Shrink Space indicates the maximum size that you can allocate to the new second partition.

 

[Mark]

The top figure is your total disk space and the second one is showing the available amount you can set on the second partition, the third is how much space you want to give the second partition and the last one is showing how much space will be left remaining on your existing partition.

 

[Joan Archer]

Sorry I should have been clearer I understand what the numbers are telling me, sort of, just not how they translate to GB size, meaning can I install Windows 7 on the figure shown or should I make it smaller and if yes by how much.
It's the converting MB to GB that I can't work out, sorry maths was never my subject

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello Joan.


I don't do math either I use the calculator; there are 1024MB in a GB. A 20GB partition should be enough; but give it as much as you can. I have mine on 80GB.


I just did yours you have enough. 65.6GB











Later Ted

 

[Joan Archer]

Thanks Ted it was the actual figure I couldn't work out when it was in MBs and didn't have the conversion figure but I went to the link in Dwarfs post and I've just come back after reading that and saw your answer.

Thanks again I should be good to go now but it will probably be Saturday when I get the chance to play about with all this.

Another thing after looking at a video for installing Windows 7 onto the new partition just checking if I have this right.
When I've shrunk the C: drive I just boot from the Windows 7 DVD and tell it to install to the unallocated space I've just made, I don't have to format or do anything else to the new space or do I ?

I'm not thick when it comes to computers and I've dual booted a machine before with XP and WinME but it was a few years ago and I can't remember it really and I was using Partition Magic when I did that

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello again Joan.


Yes you're correct just do a "custom" as opposed to upgrade install and point it to the space you create and it will do the rest. After about twenty minutes you'll have your own little Windows 7 to play with.

Have you seen this?

Windows 7 Forums - How to dual-boot Windows 7 BETA on a Vista computer









Later Ted

 

[Joan Archer]

Thanks Ted for clarifying, yes that was the video I had seen which made me ask

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello Joan.

I'm going to put a couple things here so you have access to them when you need them.

First: Of course you know to type "msconfig" in the start menu start/search box to get here; when here, select Vista and click "Set as default" so that when you boot the machine Vista will start automatically without any input from you. Conversely, if you want to boot Se7en you will have to use the up/down arrows to select to start 7 and hit enter. It's better to have it this way for when you want to remove 7 later.

Here's another tutorial for later use.

Windows 7 Forums - Access your Vista partition in Windows 7 BETA

Take your time and enjoy!...




Later Ted

 

[Joan Archer]

Thanks Ted, just a flying visit at the moment but fingers crossed this time tomorrow I should have it installed.

Been missing until after lunch but I've shrunk my drive so have just over 60 GB to use for the install and I've done an Acronis image of my new sized C: drive that holds Vista, so hopefully tomorrow I should be able to put my DVD into the drive and go

 

[renthor]

Have fun, it is not as daunting or difficult as it may sound or look. Once you get it running, you might never want to go back to Vista. Good luck tomorrow!

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Good luck, Joan!


















Later Ted

 

[limneos]

Hello Ted...

I just wanted to wish good luck to Joan too...

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello limneos!


Don't be shy; you're welcome everywhere around here as far as I'm concerned!...















Later Ted

 

[limneos]

Thank you.

I just believe it's better to post something useful than just post, but then again, we're in chillout room, I guess it's ok.

My name's Elias, btw. Glad to see friendly people around.

 

[SIW2]

Hi Joan,

Wishing you luck and fun with it.

SIW2:

 

[Joan Archer]

Well hello from Windows 7
Still sorting things out but thought I'd show my face from the new OS before tweaking a few more things, got to set up my WLM with all my accounts and what have you but so far so good.

Still got to sort out seeing all my stuff in Vista as well but can't rush things or I'll proabably screw something up.

I'll check out the rest of the new posts then go play some more and be back later

 

[limneos]

Hello Joan ! Glad to see you with W7.

Don't forget Windows Update. It will find the most compatible drivers for you system and install them.

 

[Joan Archer]

No problems that was one of the first things that happened it updated itself

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello Joan.......Congratulations, wou'll like Se7en!


You just need to assign a drive letter to your Vista to see it from 7; have a look back at this post and watch the video. Just relax and enjoy your new toy, no hurry to do anything....

http://www.sevenforums.com/chillout-room/2683-shrinking-partition.html#post25354












Later Ted