Partitioning using Windows Vista

I have never partitioned my notebook before, but would like to do so with my new one. I have googled a bit and found out that Windows Vista actually offers a built-in feature to do this. Please also see: http://www.lytebyte.com/2007/02/19/how-to-partition-in-windows-vista-extend-and-shrink/.

Question 1: Would there be any reason no to use this feature, but to use an external 'partition program' instead?

The above stated URL leads to a short, rather comprehensive guide. However, halfway -when 'creating a new partition' is discussed- I encounter the following images:




I am not a computer expert, and would like to hear your opinions/insights concerning these 'steps' of the Windows Vista partition process. Should I select the settings as depicted on the above images? E.g. set 'file system' to 'NTFS', 'allocation unit size' to 'default', 'Volume label' to 'LyteByte', and check 'Perform a quick format'? I really have no idea what all this is for...

Thanks in advance for your help and insights!

 

NTFS -> Yes (better than FAT)

Allocation Unit Size -> Set Default (Probably default is '4,096 bytes' in XP; not sure about Vista)

Volume Label -> Whatever !!

Perform a quick format -> Do a full format (better)

 

Thanks for your reply!

I just edited the OP because I noticed I accidentily showed two times the same image, while not showing the most important one!; Here again the 'most important' one:



So now the following question in reaction to your post, Andy; How do I do a full format instead of a quick one? Please see the image above as reference.

 

Uncheck "Perform a quick format"....

 

The reason to use other partitioning programs is if you need their features.
Vista's program is fine if it does what you need.

 

Today I got to the point where I actually have tried to partition my new notebook's Harddrive using Windows Vista. (i.e. Contral panel --> 'create and format hard disk partitions')

I currently have a C:-volume of 320GB, and I would like to shrink it to 50GB in order to be able to create a new partition of 270GB. When I right click the C: volume and click 'Shrink Volume...', it says "Total size before shrink in MB: 305242". The problem is that the maximum amount C: can be shrinked by is 66717MB (for a reported "Total size after shrink" of 238525MB").

I have already rebooted and defragmented my whole system a couple of times, and I have also tried to see if after shrinking C: by 66717 at first, it would after all be possible to further shrink C:. No luck.

Does anyone have a suggestion how I after all can shrink C: to 50GB (preferably using Windows Vista, but if you think there's some reason that's impossible, a suggestion for external (free) software is always welcome)?

Originally my notebook had a 250GB HDD, but it was upgraded to 320GB. I feel the 66717 corresponds to the extra capacity over 250GB. My current HDD is a Hitachi 7k320. Maybe this is a clue to the solution?

 

How much data is currently on the drive? (size)

 

Less than 20GB. It concerns a notebook straight out-of-the-box; Windows Vista on a Sony notebook, with removal of (most?) of Sony's bloatware. I haven't installed any program myself yet.


EDIT: I really don't know much about partitioning but just a thought; should I maybe first rightclick C: and 'Convert to Dynamic Disk...'? Can this do any harm? When I click 'convert to dynamic disk' Windows Vista states "After you convert these disks to dynamic, you will not be able to start installed operating systems from any volume on these disks (except the current boot volume). Are you sure you want to convert?"

I have only one harddrive: the Hitachi 7k320. C: currently is the only volume, taking maximum capacity. Hence my operating system is on C:.

 

You don't want to convert to dynamic disk. That's for setting up virtual RAIDs and other more advanced features like that. I don't know what the problem actually is, I would try shrinking with other software like a GParted live CD.

 

The Shrink Volume feature in Windows Vista has some serious limitations, explanation here. Just as Hep! suggested, I use GParted Live CD, guide here