partitions

[ionicle]

right, i have a problem, first in a while

i have a 160 Gb hard drive, which has been partitioned into 3 parts

2 parts at 71 Gb and a 5 Gb

one of the 71 has windows, the other is empty, and the 5gb i cant access, no matter how hard i try, but this contains windows install files

my question is, without corupting windows, on the 71 gb partition C, can i made the other 71 partition D, well, can i make them back into one, without re-formating the entire hard drive

because i dont want to loose the windows i have, but 71gb is fast running out, and i cant be bothered with the hastle of moving data to the other partition

also if you have any ideas how to access the 5Gb, i'll listen

perhaps i've overlooked somthing stupid....maybe

here's some screenshots from disk management, if they help:

 

[equk]

Is that on a pre-built system like a Dell/Acer etc

Looks like a Restore util partition, often see them on laptops. On the boot screen you can press a key to access the utilities.

If you want access to it in windows etc you can unhide it using Partition Magic or similar.

 

[ionicle]

yep, its an acer system

its media center edition XP, but it failed to install the second disk during setup, so media center is no good for anything but a couple of games, and viewing pictures

is there a way to make the two 71's into a 142, without compomising windows though?

 

[Doddsy]

I'm sure with xp you can merge partitions without losing the data on them, can't remember how though.

Here's a free download that'll do the job for you though:

http://www.computeractive.co.uk/hdmanager8/index

 

[ionicle]

wow, it worked perfectly, thanks

 

[Rastalovich]

Hmmm Compress disk to save space ??

 

[ionicle]

good idea, but nah, not now, i have 66% free, and a huge 500Gb secondary hard drive, i should be okay for a while

thanks for the idea though

 

[Rastalovich]

hehe I was thinking why it was already checked

 

[Doddsy]

wow, it worked perfectly, thanks

You're welcome.

Reps?

 

[nathan]

You're welcome.

Reps?

scrounger

 

[Doddsy]

:haha:

Yep, I'll take what I can get!

 

[nathan]

:haha:

Yep, I'll take what I can get!

Tis the way forward!

 

[Doddsy]

I just gave you reps for seeing things my way. I thought it was slightly ironic!

 

[ionicle]

repped

but now i have another problem

after i did that, about 10 minuets after, i left the pc, it was just idling, and when i came back, it had rebooted, and got to the acer post screen, and wouldnt go any further (it always does that if there's somthing plugged into the usb ports, so thats normal) so i unplugged everything usb, as i usually do, to get it to boot up, but it got to "verifying DMI pool data..........." and stopped, for no aparant reason, i've gone through the bios several times, changed noumerous settings, that havent worked, then i restored it to normal, stil wouldnt work

acer didnt give me any XP disks with this, it was on a restore partition, which aparantly no-longer exists (even though i never did anything with that program to alter the repair partition)

and now, my pc, wont go past verifying dmi pool data

help?

 

[Doddsy]

According to your screenies the restore partition still exists (it's the EISA one). Have you changed the boot order? Does your mobo have a boot selection menu (usually accessed by pressing F8 on the splash screen or the post screen), if so are the 2 partitions (main one and EISA) available?

If needs be your computer will probably have your product key on it, just means you can use anybody's XP disks if you really do need to re-install.

 

[ionicle]

i know on the screenshots, it stil exists, but since then, it aparantly doesnt :S

boot order is hard drive, hard drive, hard drive, disabled

i dont know anyone else with media center edition though...which is a shame

damn

screwed aint i

 

[darkorb]

I dont think they even sold MCE.

You can try with Pro though i believe?

 

[Doddsy]

i know on the screenshots, it stil exists, but since then, it aparantly doesnt :S

boot order is hard drive, hard drive, hard drive, disabled

i dont know anyone else with media center edition though...which is a shame

damn

screwed aint i

If the boot order is hard drive hard drive, hard drive and you only have 2 physical drives installed it sounds like one of them might be the recovery partition. Maybe try changing the boot order?

Also you could try downloading MCE disks and use your own product key, I don't even think that's illegal.

 

[ionicle]

i have found this old master disk thing i had, has XP home, profesional, MCE, all on it, 2 of each, one with key and activation already done, one without, i choise the MCE without, and am installing right now, but i have lost all my data

but atleast i will have a working pc

 

[Doddsy]

That sucks mate. Like you say at least it'll work.