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    Studio 1537 preinstalled Vista - Cannt shrink volume

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by dell_dash, Apr 28, 2009.

  1. dell_dash

    dell_dash Newbie

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    Hi All,
    I got my studio 1537 and found c drive which has Vista (64 bit) has 290GB. Tried the Disk management tool on vista to shrink this huge volume but it allows to make the c drive of size 240 GB and not lesser.
    Now I want to have my data on different volumes so that OS reinstall should not delete my data. How do I go about doing this.

    Any help/pointers!!!
     
    dell_dash, Apr 28, 2009
    #1
  2. Mastershroom

    Mastershroom wat

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    That's because Windows keeps some important files towards the end of your drive volume, which means you can't shrink any further because it would erase those files. You can try defragmenting and see if that allows any more shrinkage. But most likely, you will have to reformat and reinstall Windows to adjust your partitions the way you want them.
     
    Mastershroom, Apr 28, 2009
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  3. JohnByeBye

    JohnByeBye Notebook Evangelist

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    Also try turning off the paging files for the C drive in coordinance with what Mastershroom posted.
     
    JohnByeBye, Apr 28, 2009
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  4. Aryq46254

    Aryq46254 Notebook Consultant

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    I had the same issue. No matter what I did, even following directions on other sites, using specific defrag tools that are supposed to be able to move that data from the end of the volume, etc... nothing worked.

    Yet another way for Microsoft to make our lives difficult in regards to trying to use alternative operating systems ... and frustrate the bejesus out of customers. Instead of attempting to continue to fight it, I just wiped it completely. Take that, Microsoft. :)

    Just my .02... ;)
    --Eric
     
    Aryq46254, Apr 28, 2009
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  5. Ayle

    Ayle Trailblazer

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    Before trying to wipe it. You could try getting a linux live cd and use the partition editor to resize the partition. That usually works when Windows cannot move the files itself. Be sure to backup your data before doing it.
     
    Ayle, Apr 28, 2009
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  6. Mastershroom

    Mastershroom wat

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    You could use Gparted (similar to a Linux live CD) from a disk and do it that way, but once again, you may destroy Windows files, some of which may be important, or even vital to the operating system. If you do shrink your partition this way, I recommend you reinstall Windows in the shrunken partition anyway.
     
    Mastershroom, Apr 28, 2009
    #6
  7. JohnByeBye

    JohnByeBye Notebook Evangelist

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    Yeah I would not suggest using Gparted unless you back up important files. Unfortunately I used it without backing up my files and found out that after shrinking my C drive the OS wouldn't load. I was a noob back then, what can I say. Great fun. :D
     
    JohnByeBye, Apr 28, 2009
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  8. uppalpankaj

    uppalpankaj Notebook Enthusiast

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    U will have 2 wipe up the HDD and do a clean install. That is what I did.
     
    uppalpankaj, Apr 29, 2009
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  9. mktrep97

    mktrep97 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I think Partition Magic can help you with this, it moves the files to new location and perform the applied tasks after restarting (when it needed).
     
    mktrep97, Apr 29, 2009
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