Partition Magic partition create ??

[jim.t]

I'm a little confused. It's asking me if I want to create a partition to install an OS or it will be used for data and apps. What about my currently loaded OS, etc? If I create a primary partition(with the WinME OS in place), will I have to resize the current configuration to what I want(8gb), or will the wizard handle it? And, I'm a little concerned about wiping out my OS with this primary partition creation..scared to death are the words. Any input folks?

Reading and have read the manual and getting confused by the minute. I don't think the folks that wrote the help topics are from around my neighborhood. LOL.



[This message has been edited by jim.t (edited 02-15-2001).]

[jim.t]

I've contacted Powerquest-help for this existing OS on an unpartitioned drive question. Will not go any further unless I have better info. The manual skips all over the place.

[jim.t]

I have a 40gb unpartitioned c:drive with 3.4gb used. I want to increase the partition size to 8gb and create 2 other partitions. Can I(using PM), increase the c: partition without any harm to the current OS/apps and without reloading the OS, and then add the 2 other partitions? Your help will be so appreciated. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif


[This message has been edited by jim.t (edited 02-15-2001).]

[RayH]

There's no guarantee. But supposedly, you are able to do just that.

[daverme]

Partition Magic's claim to fame is you CAN do all that stuff AND not lose any data. HOWEVER, they ALSO caution you to ALWAYS take backups before fooling around.

My suggestion: Borrow a 4+ Gig drive from someone, use the DI disk-to-disk function to clone your C: drive, then go to town with PM.

[shadow]

With PM, I have resized, moved, changed file system type, and created all on a disk with an existing OS, never had any problems but backup can save you grief if things do happen to go bad. I usually section off a partition for the OS, and one for files I dont want to lose and play with the rest of the disk.

[jim.t]

Ok, some further clarification. I have a 40gb c:drive with 3.4gb used(straight from the factory), which I thought was unpartitioned. But PM shows it as C:,the primary partition, and I have NOT partitioned anything yet. Maybe that's for clarity, but I'm not sure if I have to RESIZE what I have, or CREATE a primary partition.You see where I'm going here?? I think after I get this **** "primary partition" issue out of the way, I can create the other parts.

BTW, already backed up the drive with Drive Image.

So, what you recommend is to resize C: (enlarge) to 7-8gb without having to CREATE a primary partition(because is already treats c: as the primary???), then create my logical partitions of whatever size I want? I'm I getting close here, because these instructions are giving me fits.

[jim.t]

thanks caddmannq, you're exactly right...for some reason I was thinking the current c:drive was NOT partitioned and I had to partition it. Ok, now the light came on. Thanks for straighening that out...Good analysis.

After the resizing, will I have to activate the partition, or should it be ready to go?

BTW, When the logical partition is created, is there a way to select files that will belong to the new partition, or is that something that I'll handle manaully? If not, it would be nice.




[This message has been edited by jim.t (edited 02-16-2001).]

[jim.t]

everything was clear until the "...make windows call your CDROM drive as D:, they will be E:, F:, G:, etc.)" Are you saying that I can force Win to keep cd-rom at d:drive? I knew with drivemapper would manage the device letters, but I haven't heard about this one yet.

[Dave_H]

Although Windows 9.x and ME will let you assign drive letters to CD's and removable drives, I think you will find that you will not be able to give it a drive letter before a hard drive partition.
Dave

[jim.t]

SUCCESS!!!!

Ok, after some white-knuckle moments at the keyboard, I finally got all the partitions configured. After several days of tutoring from alot of you fine folks, I was able to feel somewhat confident with the knowledge I'd gained.

The only hitch that I can recall was when I first began the process. I had resized the C: drive, applied the changes and it wanted to reboot to DOS. I clicked OK and it hungup. I had already ended all tasks except systray and explorer, so I didn't know what the problem was. So, I restarted the system again, and then PM kicked in and began it's thing, prior to loading Windows, and went to completion. I felt a little uncomfortable right then and restarted the system again. It came up fine, with the changes I made sitting there nice and pretty. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif I then completed the process with the logical partition configures and it all turned out fine.

I again, want to thank all the folks that helped me and guided me thru this process. You sure know your stuff. Jim.




[This message has been edited by jim.t (edited 02-17-2001).]

[phecky]

To Jim.t
Like I always say to myself...I'm continuing my education whenever I visit Sysopt!

[jim.t]

I've gone thru the fdisk/reformat process with my older machine and that's pain loading the OS and all that software/drivers back on.

I was aware that the PM process could be simplified to one step, but as uncomfortable as I was, I decided to do it in increments for my own peace of mind. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif