Splitting partitions

[jbworrill]

Hi all,

I have two physical hard drives in my system. The first is 45G and split into four partitions C, E, F, and G they are each a bit over 10G each. Parition D is on the separate drive.

At the moment I use the following setup:

C - W2K
D - downloads/backup
E - Programs
F - Media (pictures, movies, music etc)
G - At the moment running XP beta 2474

I dont install any programs on C, so if I need to format all my stuff is elsewhere and I can remember what I need to do to get it working again etc

anyway, I am thinking that having a 10G partition just for W2K is a waste. Also, putting XP on another 10G partition is also a waste. So I wanted to split the C partition into 3 in the following way:

C - W2K (unchanged) about 2.5G or whatever it takes up
C' - XP (clear it from G and bring it to the new parition) about 2.5G
C'' - (clear for other uses) the rest left over from the size needed in the above two

What is the best way to split this parition in three this way without affecting my 2K installation that is already on there? Is there a way? I got 2K setup just the way I want it so I dont want to reinstall it if possible.

Thanks everyone,
Joshua

 

[ceraph]

The only way to do this without reformating and re-partitioning is to attempt to use some sort of dynamic partitioning software like Partition Magic.

You can't "emulate" partitions the way you're implying.

 

[LokutusofBorg]

if you're asking for the basics of partitioning, ceraph has it. you need a third party partitioning program. make sure you do some backups and defrag your partition thoroughly. ntfs does defrag a bit differently and doesn't really "pack" the data (at least that's my understanding). if it were me and i was committed to saving my installation (and i had the money) i'd make sure to get one of the better partitioning programs, not one of the cheaper clones on the market.

as an aside... 2.5 gigs for win2k is a bit tight. i'd recommend more like 4 gigs. if you feel confident you won't choke your 2k in 2.5 gigs then tell me to shove off, but hey, you got 10 gigs and have plans for two partitions and the third you don't really know what to do with??? bah, just make it two 5 gig partitions. save yourself some possible headache down the road.

 

[TomBilliodeaux]

I recommend the old faithful Partition Magic (latest).
I just used it to resize and format and change from logical to primary.
Did not think I would get as much use with it, but I surely am glad I bought this.

Don't think your W2k partition needs more than 3.0Gb if you don't install any pgms on it other than purely o/s related stuff, like drivers, zonealarm, RSJ CDWriter (floppy immulator for CDRW).
I have been using it this way and with 3 other users which take up a lot of space and have not needed more than 2.5Gb. So I partition W2k with 3.0Gb and is very adequate.

 

[jbworrill]

Yeah I can see that 2.5G might be a bit too small.

I was just wondering if I could split off the majority of the blank space on that partition. So even if I could split the 10 into two 5s or something similar i'd be happy.

So I should check out Partition magic?

Joshua