Partition a drive with data already on?

[IronWarrior]

I would like to install Win7 on my laptop, but both drives already have data on, is there anyway to create a partition on a drive without losing the data?

While am asking this, am also using google. :P

I have Acronis, could this be used?

[Warboy]

It's called Control Panel -> Admin tools -> Computer management -> Storage management then right click, say shrink. Then it gives you the option by how much to shrink by. If you using windows atm. Any Windows (XP, Vi, 7) should be able to do this.

[IronWarrior]

Ah thank you, trying that now.

Would 20 GB be enough for Windows 7?

[Warboy]

Ah thank you, trying that now.

Would 20 GB be enough for Windows 7?

Recommend 30GB for Win7 x64. 20gb for x86.

[IronWarrior]

Eh, I get Access Denied when I try to format the drive and give it a drive letter. :s

[mpilchfamily]

There is plenty of software availible that allows you to do this. Its best if you do it outside the OS anyway. But first it would be a good idea to clean out the system a bit and make sure the drive is good and defraged.

[IronWarrior]

I think I might be onto something, the drive didn't have "full access" clicked, just doing that now, then gonna try.

Well, this is on my new Laptop, it's only been in use the last 14 days.

Hmm, everything has full permissions but still get it. :s

[mpilchfamily]

You really need to do it outside the OS. The NTFS file system will not let you make any changes till your outside the OS. There are free utilites to handle the partiononing for you.

[Warboy]

You really need to do it outside the OS. The NTFS file system will not let you make any changes till your outside the OS. There are free utilites to handle the partiononing for you.

My method works just fine. I don't know why he is getting a issue. And No you do not need to be outside the OS to resize or format partitions.

[IronWarrior]

I can resize it and add it back to it's other drive again, just can't format it so it identifys with the OS, so can't make use of it. :s

I try tomorrow again.

[IronWarrior]

Ok, this is what I get before I get access denied.

[Warboy]

You do not want a dynamic disk. What the heck are you doing in there.....

[IronWarrior]

You do not want a dynamic disk. What the heck are you doing in there.....

Only option it allows. :s

[RADCOM]

m8 use acronis, it will dynamically shrink your partition. I'd use 30GB depending on where you will install your apps. The Golden rule is if it's important to you back it up God luck:P

[itznfb]

^^ agreed use Acronis. Only use Windows management for partitioning if you're trying to corrupt your drives.

[Easybeat]

Coincidence? Paragon partition manager is free today.

http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/para...ecial-edition/

[IronWarrior]

I can patition the drive to make unallocated space but everytime I try to format the drive or just make it active so windows sees the drive and for me to use, it gives that warning that I posted up, I press OK, it trys to do it for a few seconds then gives the error access denied, my Vista Acronis backup stuff is also installed on the same drive, so do you think that could be causing this problem?

Thanks for that free software thingy, downloading now.

[Jamesrt2004]

tried using cmd prompts?

diskpart
list disk (find out which disk it is on)
select disk 1
select partition 2
format fs=ntfs
assign


something like that =/ its on google =D

[IronWarrior]

I believe that I understand why it won't let me, the drive only allow four partitions, I can understand why there is one partition for a hdd backup, but why is there two.

[RADCOM]

You have a windows recovery partition the manufacturer slaps that on so you can recover the laptop to factory default condition. Yes there is a 4 primary partition limit in windows. I can't remember about extended partitions etc as with the increased size of disks they aren't used much.

[IronWarrior]

Yes, but why is there is two, one is called as you can see WinRE and the other has no name. :s

Do you think it is safe to delete the partition with no ID?

[enteon]

because the first partition has the backup and restore software on it and the fourth the data itself?

just delete the last partition and back you system up elsewere!?

[3Z3VH]

The fourth doesn't look like it has any data, because it has no formatting (at least not one that is recognized by windows)... So unless you have Linux/BSD/Etc on that partition, it is most likely junk.

[IronWarrior]

The fourth doesn't look like it has any data, because it has no formatting (at least not one that is recognized by windows)... So unless you have Linux/BSD/Etc on that partition, it is most likely junk.

So, you think it is safe to delete and remake?

I think I will call up the people that I got the laptop from tomorrow just to make sure, I don't want to screw around too much because this laptop is what I use for College.

[3Z3VH]

If this is a Dell/HP/Toshiba/Other big name manufacturer, that partition is typically where they keep your Windows install files so you can format your machine and re-install Windows without a CD/DVD. If you already have an install CD/DVD, you do not need that partition.