Windows 7 Partition Problem

warrenpeace

Hi,

My laptops hard drive was originally partitioned into two halves, one for Vista and one for Backup, however I recently split it into 3 so I could put Windows 7 on one partition and dual boot with Vista, and have a smaller partition for backup. The problem is that now I want to extend the backup partition using some of the space from Vista, but the option to extend the drive is greyed out. Is this because both of the other partitions are system volumes (one with Vista, one with 7)? I've had a search around and some people have said you can't extend a volume using part of a system volume. It also won't allow me to shrink either of the system volumes.
Is there any way I can get around this and use part of the Vista volume to extend the backup?

stuartk

hi there

not sure if gparted (free) will do it but Paragon partition manager (£££) definately does

gparted do a live cd for download so u could try that

regards

KathysBoy

No, You can shrink system volumes, but you can't shrink it beyond where there are any unmovable files. The option to extend is greyed out becaus there isn't any space. When you create some it will be available. However, I don't think you can extend another voulume unless the space is contiguous, so if your Vista is in the first partition you would have to extend the Windows 7 partition, defrag it, and then shrink that before you could extend the backup volume.

Because I've found Windows 7 so reliable I took an image (using Partition Manager) of my partion with Vista on (stored in my backup partition and on DVD), and deleted the Vista partition. I then took an image of Windows 7 (using the Windows 7 imager as Partiton Manager won't work, so you have to upgrade), restored the Vista image to make sure it worked okay, and then restored the Windows 7 image. Freed up loads of space, and works fine.

warrenpeace

Thanks for the advice. I was hoping to not have to install any third party software to do it, but I might have to. I agree with you though KathysBoy, I too am finding Windows 7 to be very reliable. I may do the same as you. [STRIKE]Can you tell me what program you've used for making an image[/STRIKE]? Ignore that, I just reread your post and realised you had put partition manager. I really should read thigns more thoroughly.

stuartk

hi there

if u have a maxtor or seagate drive you can get a free version of Acronis true image - excellent for imaging. google diskwizard

or drive image xml free for home use

regards

DatabaseError

i'm not sure you can extend a system partition backwards into space left from another....i had a similar issue..and failed