Resize existing partition

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

I have a few partitions on an existing drive. I would like to delete one
(say drive F) and increase the size of the existing drive drive E
accordingly. How can I do this? I am running xp sp2. Files are NTFS
 
You'll need 3rd party software or you can backup both partitions, delete
them, recreate in the new sizes, then restore the data. Whichever route you
take make sure you have backups before starting.
 
Hello Ralph,

I can offer (2) methods for you to consider.

1-
Copy or move the files/folders from (F) and (E) to drive (C) if space is
available on drive (C). Or burn to DVD or CD.
Open Windows "Disk Manager" found under "Computer Management". Delete drive
(F) and drive (E). Delete the "Extended Partition" if they are in one.
Now you should be left with drive (C) intact and unallocated space that was
used by (E) and (F).
Create a new "Extended Partition" if you had one before, If not, then create
a new "Basic Partition" or "Primary Partition" to be drive (E).
Make your new partition to the same type that the old ones where. Maybe not
critical, just no need to rock the boat, so-to-speak.
Set it to use all available space and format NTFS.
Move your files onto the new drive (E).

If using drive (C) or burning to DVD/CD is not an option. Find someone that
has a hard drive lying around not being used. Buy or borrow a USB HD
enclosure for around $20-$40. Assemble the two and plug it into a USB port.
Copy the files from (E) and (F) to the USB drive. Now use "Disk Manager" to
work on the partitions on your fixed drive.

When your through, keep the borrowed HD, tell your friend your dog chewed it
up. After a few days, you'll love the USB enclosure anyway!
If you buy a USB enclosure, pay attention to USB1 vs. USB2. Most enclosures
are USB1/USB2 compatible, but not all.

When using "Disk Manager", make darn sure which partition your working on.
When you plug in the USB drive, drive letters might re-arrange themselves.
Always us the Partition size or disk "Label" as a reference.

Have a good backup of your files, just in case.

2-
Purchase Symantec Partition Magic (PM8), alittle $$ ($60 bucks or so) but
does a great job at changing your partitions around.
You can use it as an installed application, or boot to the install CD and
use it's DOS boot utility.
Either way, great program.

As Kerry mentioned, there are several 3rd party applications that do a good
job.

Make darn sure which partition your working on.

Have a good backup of your files, just in case.

Hope this helps!

Richard in Va.
+++++++++++++++++++
 
Thank you

I also have a partition called drive D which I want to leave intact. Will
this still method still work for combining drive E and F?

Does anyone know if I can use DISKPART to do the same?
 
Hello Ralph,

I wondered about drive D:\, I assumed it was assigned to a CD drive.

Of course you can use the same method with "Disk Manager". If drive D:\ has
available space, maybe you can use it to offload files from E:\ and F:\ as
well.

But before you do anything to your partitions, I suggest you open "Computer
Manager" > "Disk Manager" and make notes as to your current drives. What
type of partition their on, What drive letter is assigned to them, their
drive label, % used space and % free space.

Know your drives...!

Hope this is helpful...

Richard In Va.
++++++++++++++++++++
 
Back
Top