I want to re-partition my primary partition from within XP

[aweigh]

I have only one HDD, and one primary partition, my C: drive, and I want to re-format and re-install Windows, however I can't do this because I don't want to lose the stuff I've already downloaded, and I can't copy it onto optical media because I don't have a DVD-burner. So, I want to create a small, 5 G.B. partition, install a fresh copy of XP on it, boot into it, and then manually delete the old Windows folder/installation on the old partition.

Afterwards, I want to merge both partitions into one, so I have just one C: drive again. What program do you all recommend? Partition Magic? What?

 

[corkyg]

Yes, Partition Magic will work. But - my preference would be to get a seond HDD and leave your existing one alone until you are sure everything works.

You can retain your data, but if you fresh install XP, you will have to reinstall your programs to get them properly registered in XP.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: corkyg
Yes, Partition Magic will work. But - my preference would be to get a seond HDD and leave your existing one alone until you are sure everything works.

Yeah. Unless you get a deal on Partition Magic, you could buy a new 500 GB hard drive for about the same price as PM. Then you'd have a place to make backups in the future, so you don't lose everything when your main hard drive fails.

In any event, when doing a re-partitioning, a backup of important data is highly recommended.

 

[JoLLyRoGer]

Acronis Disk Director?? - $49.99
Also available as a 15 day fully functional trial. *wink* *wink*

And oh, BTW, if you don't already own a copy of Acronis True Image then you're wrong!

Just my .02
-JR