Computer geeks: Need to resize/combine partitions in XP - best way to do?

[T Roosevelt]

Had to reinstall XP (hard drive crash - arrggghhhh!), and target drive had two existing partitions (which fortunately had an old install of 98 on the primary). During the install I wasn't able to convert the drive to a single partition (if I was I missed it). I'd like to convert this drive to a single partition for the OS - I have a second hard drive that I use for data storage, programs, etc.

How do I do this in XP? Either combine into a single, or resize (to make larger).

[Solon]

1. Partition Magic is the best and safest way...

http://www.symantec.com/partitionmagic/

Also, if you have no information worth keeping on the partitions, then you can delete them on the Windows XP install and create a new, larger one, those are two options.

[jbane]

5. Agreed

I'm an A+ certified technician and I love Partition Magic. It's a great program.

[landdaddy]

2. Should have

done it in the beginning of XP install. It will ask you about partitioning and formating. Reinstall XP and delete both partitions then partition and format the entire volume. Otherwise you will need a third party program. In your case I would suggest starting from scratch. :argh:

[T Roosevelt]

3. I did on install

it wouldn't let me delete the lone remaining partition (C) since that was holding the temp install files...

[landdaddy]

4. There is always

~ an 8 MB partition that cannot be deleted and the balance of the disk should have been layed out as one primary partition. If you deleted any other partitions and then formated the entire free space then you should have been in good shape! You can not combine fat 32 (win 98) and an NTFS (winXP) partitions, however you can upgrade Win 98 (fat 32) with Win XP fat 32 but not recommended! :argh:

[realisticphish]

6. tools required

standard computer
circular saw (or sawzall, if available)
glue
hammer

step one: use hammer to carfully remove case of computer
step two: "resize" hard drive with saw
step three: glue into attractive arrangement
step four: replace case


:hippie: The Incorrigible Democrat