How easy is it too partition drives?

[Dolby]

Hi,

How easy is it for one to partion a drive? Is that the solution for the below problem?

I've got a single 320GB drive that only has Windows XP, a SQL database and lots of media (mp3, mpg and jpeg). This media takes about 280GB.

Recently Windows starting messing around (fatal errors etc etc) so I wanted to format this drive fully and start again. The thing is I don't have another 280GB space to copy to the media to, format, and copy back.

I was thinking I could partition this to 20GB/300GB, have only my media on the 300GB and then format the 20GB partion with a fresh Windows.

Will this work?
How easy is it for me - a noob - to do?
How big should the Windows side be?
Does it physically make it look like 2 drives (c: and g?

 

[Conspirator]

Difficult without space to move data to. Potentially dangerous for data if something goes horribly wrong. You would have to resize the partition.

Go for 30gb rather. 40 If you have lots of programs/docs/stuff.

Yes two drives in explorer, but still only one "physical".

Get some imaging software like Norton ghost/Acronis trueimage etc. Then make an image of the 30gb. Every time windows then dies you can just re-load the image. (Save data on the win partition first). Reloading image takes like 5 min.

My advice is organize some extra HDD space to move the data to temporarily. Makes things much easier. External HDD of that size ~R1000.

 

[Krudonix]

get a program called partition magic, or just get a 2nd hdd can get 1 TB drives these days, shouldnt run out of space for a while

 

[Dolby]

O ... so with partioning you should actually start right from the word go, before you've installed much/anything?

 

[bdt]

Also consider Ranish Partition Manager - with a link to this partition resizer app, and GParted. (re)found latter via Open Source Alternative, a site well worth looking at!

 

[Skeptik]

Your media should be safe. Partiioning is potentially very dangerous, so read all the instructions. Most packages allow you to do a dry run of your new configurationb and then commit to the changes later or after booting.

 

[Conspirator]

so with partioning you should actually start right from the word go, before you've installed much/anything?

That would be the correct way. Since the partitions are already set and reformatting the entire drive is not possible (given space constraints) you will have to resize the partition as suggested above with one of those tools. If you have the $$$ rather buy an extra drive. It's not like you will not use it again, and external USB harddrives are very practical anyway.

 

[howardb]

Hiya Dolby - you can also try Acronis Disk Director - never had a problem with it and able to do almost anything relating to partitioning and HDD resizing...very easy to use and has a really easy graphical interface.
I have one of my 250GB drives partitioned into 50 / 50 / 150, with drive letters C: / D: / E: - Windows XP / Program Disc Images / General Data & Video

If you don't have another spare HDD to use, do a HDD cleanup and uninstall any non-needed programs and Windows components. Maybe compress a few docs, files, pictures, etc to create a bit of extra space. The more spare space you have available, the less likelyhood of running into problems.

If you do buy or have a spare blank HDD, copy the data/media portion to the new drive, then resize the original HDD partition that holds Windows. Once that's done, create a new partition in the remainder of the available space on the same HDD - you can change the drive letters to whatever you want. You should then have 2 partitions on you original drive - Windows drive C:, and your new blank Drive X (or whichever letter you choose). You can then copy the data/media back to the new partition if needed.
You can then format your Windows partition and reinstall if needed.
Alternatively, if you have a spare HDD, just partition that one first, then install Windows - you can always "image" your installation HDD and create a duplicate copy on your original HDD with the Acronis Software - True Image.

Cheers!

 

[Procrates]

GParted

Used GParted on my vista machine about a week ago without any problems. Be sure to give it a try