Extend partition DD10

[Peter Xu]

I want to extend my WinXP SP2 C: partition, 10 gb, there is still
40 gb unallocated space on disk. Checked the giude of Disk Director Suite 10.0, it said:
"3.2 Increasing Partition Free Space
If there is not enough free space in other partitions, it can use
unallocated disk space."

But there is not detail instruction.
Any direction is welcome.

Peter

[K0LO]

Peter:

Start Disk Director and then on the View menu, switch to "Manual" mode. Then please make a copy of the image on your screen and post it here. I'd like to see the current contents of your disk before offering any advice.

Here's an example of my disk layout:

[kenarmst]

I'm interested in doing the same thing on my WinXP SP2 drive.
I'm somewhat worried though, as Micro$oft says that you can't resize
a boot drive. I'm hoping that Disk Director 10 can do this without conflict with Windows' disk management. Can't afford to have to reinstall again.

[K0LO]

kenarmst:

You can definitely resize a boot drive. I've resized mine with DD10 several times. I think Microsoft means that you can't do it with their disk management tool because the tool requires that Windows be running and you can't have Windows running when resizing...

If you could post a picture of your disk layout (similar to the one I posted above) then perhaps I can give you specific advice. Also describe what you're trying to accomplish.

[kenarmst]

KOLo:

My (0) drive has three partitions. C has the systems files for winxp (boot.ini, NTLDR, etc. G: Is the installation of WinXP incl boot files. E: Is merely a Windows extra swap file area. Notice that there is approx. 220GB of unallocated space. I would like to expand the size of the G partition so that I will have more space to install program files.

You are correct that WinXp Disk Management states that you cannot expand boot or system partitions. I wasn't sure whether that meant that WinXp Disk Management couldn't do it OR whether WinXp wouldn't accept it if done with another proggie. Don't want Windoze to crash because of attempted expansion. I understand how to do the process in DD10, but worried because of the "prohibitory" statements in Disk Management and on Micro$oft Knowlege Base.

thanks
Kenarmst

http://www.skps.org\images\Partitions.JPG

[kenarmst]

Sorry for the huge graphic.
Didn't realize it was so big til after posting.

kenarmst

[K0LO]

kenarmst:

You should be fine. I've done similar things to my disk layout without incident. DD10 can do the resizing that you want and Windows should be happy.

I prefer doing changes like yours manually, and step by step so that I can confirm that each intermediate step is executed properly. I would do all of the partitioning by running DD10 inside Windows as follows:

a. To circumvent the need for a reboot while changing the E partition, temporarily disable your swap file on E.
b. Move your E partition to the right to leave the desired amount of free space between G and E.
c. Commit and confirm. If OK then re-enable the swap file on E.
d. Expand G to incorporate all of the free space between G and E.
e. Commit and confirm. This may require a reboot to finish since your Windows system files are on G.

That should do it. If you also have a copy of TrueImage then I would make a backup image of the entire disk before making any changes so that you can restore if something goes wrong. It looks like you'd have enough room on your D drive to temporarily hold a backup image of your disk 1. I've never had a bad experience repartitioning with DD10 but better safe than sorry...

[kenarmst]

KOlo/Mark:

I have True Image and have image of drive on an extenal hard drive.
So, I'll give it a try.
Thanks for your tips and advice.

Kenarmst

[kenarmst]

P.S.

What procedure do you recommend for disabling the swap file?

thanks,
Kenarmst

[K0LO]

Kenarmst:

Perhaps my suggestion to disable the swap file is not such a hot idea because after you disable the swap file you need to reboot for the change to take effect, thus negating the original motivation for doing so.

Anyway, to do this you go to > Control Panel > System > Advanced > Performance settings > Advanced > Virtual Memory (Change) > and select "No Paging File" followed by "Set".

[kenarmst]

Thanks, Mark