Making another partition for another OS help!

if i make another partition so i can put another OS on it, in the future how can i delete that partition so that it deletes that partition and puts all the space back on my main drive(C ?

 

Download Live CD (free from Linux). Boot from CD. Load GParted. Then you can delete the partition you do not want anymore, and just resize the original partition to recover the space. Keep in mind ALL information on the partition you delete will be erased.

 

vista has a built in program that lets u partition. im going to use that. after i shrink volume then make another partition, in the future how do i delete that partition and put all that space back into my main drive(C)?

 

Yes, I know Vista has that. My answer is the same as before. You will not be installing anything by booting from the Live CD.

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/using-gparted-to-resize-your-windows-vista-partition/

I'm sure others will give you another answer you might like better if you wait long enough but this is by far the simplest for me

 

so are u saying that gparted is the only way to get back my space from the partition to my main drive? i cant just format that partition to get rid of the OS and then use vista built in disk management to put the space back on my main drive?

 

No dude, I am not saying that. I just think is easier.

I don't understand. You know the tool is there, so use the same one. I suppose you mean the Computer Management>Disk Management tool right?

Like this:

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/95418-disk-management-delete-extend.html

But if you already know how to create partitions with it, how come you don't know how to delete and extend? Maybe I don't get the question.

 

that link was great help. thats what i want to do int he future. i didnt kno how to use disk management tool to delete and "Extend." i jus wanted verification that u could do that. thank you.

BUT! in that link it says u cant delete a partition with a OS on it!?!? i plan on putting an OS on it, then delete it later...so i cant do it then?

 

isnt using vista disk management tool easier than gparted? for me atleast? since ive never used gparted and i pretty much kno how to use disk management tool, thats easier for me and gets the job done. same thing right?

thanks again

 

Since you only presently have one partition (Your main C partition) then don't bother with gparted. Just use the built in disk manager in vista. First you will need to shrink your C partition, then once you have done that you will have unallocated space with which to install another OS (I am assuming this is another version of windows). Then once you are finished with the second OS just boot back into vista and delete the second partition, which will cause it to become unallocated space again. Then all you need to do is select your main C partition and hit extend and point it to the unallocated space to the right, and you are all set again. If for any reason it doesn't let you extend the partition then you will have to use diskpart to do it.

The link you saw before will tell you that you cannot delete a partition with a OS on it simply means you cannot delete and the active system partition (i.e the partition which is currently running windows).

If say for instance you had windows 7 installed on a second partition but instead you boot into vista then you will be able to delete the partition with windows 7 on it because it isn't currently active (running).

 

ok thanks alot! repped u both


another question, how come i cant make the partition any bigger? only letting me around 30 something gb. i have 98.3 gb free left on my main drive(C)

 

Oh.. I didn't think you'd still be around. You are patient. That's good.

Anyway, I wasn't answering completely I guess. Like Evolution said, by the time you want to extend, you will have already deleted the partition.

In any case, first thing that comes to mind is try to defragment first. I don't think you can make a partition if files from the active OS are located on that space you are partitioning.

Good luck! (be careful with your partition)

 

Vista's partitioner is slightly abysmal.
It simply will not let you allocate all free space.
If you are content with the partition size Vista allows, you're good.
If not, a Gparted live-cd (or other partition program) is necessary.
Like mentioned above, defragment your HD first.

 

Window's disk management will be unable to shrink your partition if there are "unmovable" files in the way. GParted will be able to move the files since you are booting into a self contained OS.

This is probably the most significant reason to use GParted over Window's built in partitioner.

 

EASEUS' Partition Manager is a good partition tool, too, and is free for personal, noncommercial use.

 

Good idea ... I never really advise the use of Gparted on a windows based system because there is always the risk of it damaging the windows boot loader (if you are carrying out partition operations on the boot/system partition) , leaving you with the task of repairing it using the windows CD/DVD. Also as always remember when messing with partitions please backup your data in case of loss.

Just this last week I attempted to merge 2 partitions on my hard drive and somehow the process got messed up and I loss all of the data on my data partition. Luckily for me my external drive has an exact copy of all of my data and I was able to restore it.

 

Defrag Defrag Defrag!
Always defrag before you partition. It makes it faster and it stops you from having these problems with how big you can make the partition.

I use JKDefrag because it has a graphic that tells you how long it's taking - vistas just tells you it's going not how long - but Vistas defragger should work fine.

I could explain more indepth if you wish, but defragging is extremely important.
I didn't defrag one time when I was partitioning (gparted) and it took me over an hour to do one GB. When it was done (should never cancel mid way) I defragged and did another 5 GB in about 15 minutes.

 

As far as Gparted vs Windows partitioner. As someone said Windows Partitioner is abysmal, but it works - for the most part.

If you're doing one partition shouldn't be a problem, very simple. The problem is, windows partitioner only extends right.

Example using my own computer:


If I deleted my Win 7 partition (GOD NO) then I would have no problem reclaiming the space in Windows Vista using the default partitioner.

However - If I wanted to make my Win 7 Partition bigger I couldn't. Windows Partitioner only extends right (graphically). That's where GParted comes in. I much prefer it only because it can do everything I need. HOWEVER Let me state this in bold-

If you use GParted on an NTFS partition (Windows) it will corrupt your MBR (Master Boot Record)

It's an easy fix IF you have your Vista CD handy. You just pop it in and load the CD and do a repair - It usually doesn't effect any of your files, it just fixes it and your back in business.

If you don't have a Vista CD DO NOT use Gparted.

ALSO- Always have a full back up of everything on your HDD before you partition, you never know when any program will mess up and leave you SOL.

Sorry for the double post and spelling mistakes, sometimes my mind races and I can't keep up with it.

 

Good recommendation. I have yet to find a decent free partition manager on Windows.