How to create a new NTFS partition?

[foolfromhell]

Have a 300GB HDD. Gonna install a new OS soon. How do I create a, say, 150GB partition thats NTFS to backup my files?

What I am about to do is this.

Create partition

Back up my files

Install Vista to old partition after formatting it

Bring stuff from newly created partition back to the Vista-installation partition and delete new partition and re-integrate the space

I have done it before using Gparted, but last I checked, my 8800GTX doesnt support the Ubuntu LiveCD. Is there another method?

 

[mechBgon]

Start > Run and put compmgmt.msc in the Run box, then click OK, and Computer Management opens.

In Computer Management, go down to Disk Management and you should get a panel showing the drives, each with a horizontal bar that represents their capacity. Right-click the bar for your new drive, and you should see your way from there

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: foolfromhell
Create partition

Back up my files

Install Vista to old partition after formatting it

Bring stuff from newly created partition back to the Vista-installation partition and delete new partition and re-integrate the space

Whenever you manipulate partitions, the possibility of data corruption exists.
What you are thinking of is very risky.
Don't you have a second hard drive to use for temporary backup?

I have done it before using Gparted, but last I checked, my 8800GTX doesnt support the Ubuntu LiveCD.

What exactly happens if you boot to the CD with your graphics card? As long as you can see what you are doing! Who cares if the driver is not the latest?
http://gparted.sourceforge.net/

 

[foolfromhell]

Drivers are not latest, but I get an X-serve error.

And no, I dont have a second hard drive. It really sucks.

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: foolfromhell
but last I checked, my 8800GTX doesnt support the Ubuntu LiveCD. Is there another method?

When you say Ubuntu LiveCD, are you talking about the 700MB iso download that let's you install Ubuntu?

Have you ever tried the GParted LiveCD I linked to? It is only 51MB. Or, does that error out too?

 

[foolfromhell]

The gparted liveCD doesnt error out. No. Can I please get a link? There are many versions and I want one with a GUI. Not too tech savvy. thanks.

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: foolfromhell
The gparted liveCD doesnt error out. No. Can I please get a link? There are many versions and I want one with a GUI. Not too tech savvy. thanks.

http://gparted.sourceforge.net/
From this site, if you download the link that reads "LiveCD 0.3.X", and burn to CD and boot to, you will get a similar GUI that you would if you ran GParted on ubuntu.

Please try and post back if you have any problems.

I have to warn you again, manipulating partitions without having backed up the data is a risky business!

 

[foolfromhell]

How risky? I have done it like 4 times before I got my 8800GTX without any failures...

 

[foolfromhell]

Hmm. Instead of doing all this backup stuff, maybe I should use the Upgrade feature? If I do that, doesnt it invalidate my XP license? I want to keep my XP license. How do I do that?

 

[Navid]

If the partition table gets screwed up and you cannot recover it, you could lose everything you have on the drive!

 

[foolfromhell]

Well, what is the biggest catch to the upgrade feature? Can I avoid invalidating my XP license? Even though it is an OEM license?

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: foolfromhell
Well, what is the biggest catch to the upgrade feature? Can I avoid invalidating my XP license? Even though it is an OEM license?

What are you talking about?!
You said you wanted to install Vista. For that, you need a Vista license.
You cannot use your XP license for that.
If you want to continue to use your XP, you can. But, to comply with the end user license agreement, you should not install it on a different motherboard.

Upgrading XP to Vista is not a good idea.
Best is to install Vista fresh and keep XP as a dual boot, at least temporarily until things settle down.

 

[foolfromhell]

Nono. I have a Vista box. with unique licence and all.

I heard that using the "Upgrade" feature on Vista invalidates your XP liense.

 

[Navid]

This is getting more complicated than it needs to!
Can you explain exactly what you have and want to do? At first, you said you only had one hard drive!

How many computers do you have?
What OS on each?

 

[foolfromhell]

One computer. One Hard Drive + iPod.

Has XP on it. Have a Vista DVD.

Need to install Vista. Thought of doing the steps in my first message.

What exactly does the "Upgrade" feature on Vista do badly? I think it invalidates your XP license. Can I avoid that?

 

[mechBgon]

If you upgrade XP to Vista, you give up your XP license. Just like when you trade in your old car for a discount on a new car, you can't use your old car anymore.

If you're thinking to upgrade your XP using the same Vista license you already have running on another system, that's double-dipping. Not supposed to do that If this is the only system for that Vista license, and it's a full-ride license and not just an Upgrade-only license, then you might as well back up your stuff and install Vista fresh. That preserves your WinXP license unaltered.

 

[Navid]

If you upgrade XP to Vista, your XP OS will be overwritten by Vista. You will not have an XP installation anymore.

That is not a good idea as I said before. You may find out that your printer does not work with Vista, or your scanner or a software program you need.
If any of that happens, it is always better to be able to boot to XP to use those devices or programs that only run on XP.

If you upgrade XP to Vista, nothing will happen to your XP key. But, your XP installation will not be useable as XP anymore. It will be replaced by Vista.
But, it is always best to do a fresh install of an OS. Upgrade is not good.

The best thing to do is to get a secondary hard drive.