How do I create a partion on my primary HDD?

Chuffy

Let me briefly explain my situation, 2xHDD, 160GB and 40GB. 160GB contains all data and OS, 40GB lying dormant.
System getting sluggish, so have decided to create clean install of OS on 40GB. All fairly simple.
However, I want to partition the 160GB HDD, and put all the data on the partiton, create the clean install on the 40GB, then format the partiton on the 160GB that held the OS.
Did that make sense?
I have got Partition Manager 7.0 - came free with October Personal Computer World - but can't fathom what I'm supposed to do.

Please help.

Thankyou.

madnlooney

hi ive found the user manual for partiotion manager 7.0 should help you if you didnt have it


http://download.paragon.ag/doc/manual_pm7_eng.pdf

woo

Aside from been v risky... you having trouble working PM7 or the order to do things?

Chuffy

Both to be honest - the instructions in the help file are very vague - I think I know the order, partition, move data, install OS on new HDD, format old OS partition. Will read manual posted by madnlooney, see if helps at all.

woo

Your order seems fair enough. However make sure you back all the data up - messing with partitions is a risky business.

you will need to make your 40gb disk the primary partition before you install the OS.

Can also take a while to run so be patient!

Chuffy

Backing up the data is one of the problems - there's over 50GB of data, hence me wanting to create a drive for the data. If I back it up (not to external optical disks), there is no room for the partition.

albertross_2

Does the 160GB disk have two partitions?

If not, why not just install the O/S on the 40, and use the whole of the 160 for data, and delete the windows/program files manually.

Chuffy

That's exactly what I want to do, but I figured it was easier to create the partition and stick the data on it as I don't know which the windows/program files actually are.

siliconbits

I would very strongly advise you to backup all the info first. Backup never hurt anyone. You do get sorely hurt though if you lose everthing. At most, using compression, you should get 10 DVDs burnt, which is not that much, then wipe out everything and partition using Microsoft's partition utility. Also Gmail I reckon no longer needs invites now.

Chuffy

Decided to partition 40gig drive and install XP on one of the partitions. This worked file. Swapped back to 160gig as my primary drive and it doesn't recognise the 40gig. It is connected as had to accept changes in BIOS, and is there in Device Manager. Checked under Computer Management and drive is there showing full capacity in bottom pane, but only one partition in top pane. Also doesn't have a drive letter. Jumpers on back of drive are set to slave.

Any ideas why I can't see the drive in My Computer? I shouldn't need to format the drive as there is an OS on it.

Looking on Partition Manager, it comes up as 'Other' with full capacity, no partitions.

Thanks.

woo

Just to get this clear..

so your 40GB is now 2 x 20GB?
and you have a 160GB partioned drive that is now your master?