partition mess up!!

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February 26th, 2006, 01:09 AM
stevejr

partition mess up!!

Just built a new rig...new 80GB hdd...I made two 5 GB partitions...but the rest of the hdd doesn't show up under My Computer...just 'C' & 'D'. What did I do wrong...I put XP Pro on 'C' and had planned on putting the security stuff like zonealarm, anti-virus,adaware...on the 'D' partition but even though I chose the 'D' partition to download the security stuff, it still wound up in 'C'...it looks like each program got split up into both partitions. There is only about 1.1GB left on 'C'. Looks like I goofed at the partitioning!! I'm thinking that I may need to install the hdd from my old system..format that drive...transfer all of this new hdd stuff over to that one...then format & re-partition the new hdd into larger partitions...then transfer the clean install back over to new hdd...what a mess!!! I had never partitioned before..:confused: . Anyway...where did the rest of my 80Gigs go??:confused: :confused: .How can I extricate myself...and my clean install ( product key & all that problem)?? Oh ...I partitioned during the XP Pro set up...don't have Partition Magic or any other utility. S.O.S...S.O.S.....:o Will be back here in the morning....thanks...
February 26th, 2006, 06:03 AM
Steve R Jones

Click on Start->Runa and type DISKMGMT.MSC
You'll probably see the big ol section marked as "unallocated." Right click on it and select create partiton.....
February 26th, 2006, 09:40 AM
stevejr

Thanks Steve...will do...Now I still don't know about this: If and when I download another program and choose to download it to the 'D' partition and XP Pro is on 'C'...will the program still work? I am confused as to exactly how partitions work..
February 26th, 2006, 10:29 AM
104456

If you mean install [not download] to another partition other than C then yes it will still work under the present operating system.The bulk of the program will install to a folder on the other partition with a small amount of files installed to the main system file.
February 26th, 2006, 10:39 AM
jmtjet

You can use a third party programs like PartitionMagic or Acronis to re-size partitions that contain data.

http://www.symantec.com/home_homeoff...m80/index.html

http://www.acronis.com/promo/ADD/dis...FTR1OAodIVQ0aA
February 26th, 2006, 11:41 AM
stevejr

104456...thanks...I thought that I was really messing up. I had read where it's good to put just the o/s on it's own partition...for several good reasons..but when I saw my 5 GB partition for XP quickly filling up, I paniced ( sorta)...not knowing how to stop it from completely filling up...and I still don't know!! Where can I go to get some clear explanation as to how all that works? jmtjet...I have ordered Acronis True Image...will be here in a few days ( I like having the cd..just in case)...will be making an image of this new set up while it's still real clean !!
February 26th, 2006, 12:55 PM
jmtjet

Hi Steve, here a link to a site with just about everything you'll ever ask about partitioning;

http://www.theeldergeek.com/hard_drives.htm
February 26th, 2006, 01:02 PM
jmtjet

Here a link to an Official Acronis support forum;

http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/support/forum/

Just might come in handy. I would ask there about Acronis tutorials and do some homework before you gat the CD. :)

Hope this helps. :)
February 26th, 2006, 01:53 PM
stevejr

jmtjet...thanks for that link...good info..Hey, 104456...so if I go get Zonealarm and send it to a partition other than my o/s partition...then it will still work? You said that the bulk of the program would install on whatever partition I choose but a small amount of files would would install on the main system. Okay...I follow that. but what happens if I fill up the main..or the active partition with those "small amount of files"? I was trying to leave some breathing room on the active partition for XP...will XP be affected if it's partition is full? These questions are the type that I haven't found any info about....so thanks for this forum and your patience!!
February 26th, 2006, 02:19 PM
stevejr

What is the difference between burning my entire system to dvd using Nero...and using Acronis to make an image...other that the time it takes...or number of DVD's...I read somewhere that there was a difference...how?? I guess today is my day for asking a bunch of questions!!
February 26th, 2006, 02:25 PM
104456

Yep you gonna need some room on the main partition but you can get round this by uninstalling and reinstalling some of your applications to your other partition or/and moving the swap file from the main partition and/or enlarging your main partition with third party softwarei.e. Acronis/partition magic.

Quote:

What is the difference between burning my entire system to dvd using Nero...and using Acronis to make an image

Im not 100% sure but I dont think Nero has the same restore cababilities of Acronis or Partition magic in the latter you can boot from the CD/DVD and reimage the drive to the date your backup was taken.
February 26th, 2006, 03:50 PM
stevejr

104456..." Bloody well done 'ol boy!"..at least that's what we hear in the movies..!!! Good info...I can actually use that information. This has been (is) a big learning experience. Right now I have about 1 GB left on the active partition...I think that I need to keep at least that much free...when Acronis gets here I may just increase the active a little bit..where do I find the swap files?
February 26th, 2006, 04:50 PM
104456

Paging [swap] file settings under XP are in system properties/advanced/Virtual memory/change.You can adjust them to a different drive/partition and this should free up some room for you.
February 26th, 2006, 05:06 PM
stevejr

Thanks...Here's another one...sorry, but this new build is presenting me with some new situations...I just installed the software for my printer and also for ACDsee and neither one gave me the option of where to put it...if I uninstall the stuff then how can I make it install to a different partition?? I thought that I was watching the screen very closely for that prompt but it never showed up....
February 26th, 2006, 11:19 PM
jmtjet

When you installed your software did you get a choice to do a custom install? If you did, and didn't use it, then it installed to your "C" drive by default. I would increase the size of your "C" drive to at least 20 GB if possible. That still leaves 60 gig for storage. Be sure to backup or image your data/system before you start. Then if something happens while you're increasing your "C" you can re-partition your drive and re-install your system with the image.
February 27th, 2006, 05:05 PM
stevejr

jmtjet...I will un-install printer & photo software and re-install and watch closely for the custom install prompt...Mucho Gracias, Senior!! I am still curious about why, if a program is installed to a non-active partition, some of the files are still put on the active, or main partition...does this apply to just certain kinds of programs...??
February 27th, 2006, 08:13 PM
Train

Almost all programs put stuff in the registry and someother places.
But it will being the K's instead of the MBs.

You can also adjust the size of the system restore. I have found that at times to have some unusually large amounts of hdd taken up.

Optimize Windows XP
February 27th, 2006, 08:53 PM
stevejr

Thanks, Train...I'll take a look at my system restore. Deciding to build a new rig has led me to lots of new learning situations...good!!