Can you partition a C drive without deleting what is on it?

Using XP SP3, 500GB drive

Can I partition my C drive that has no partitions on but has the OS and data
and programs on it without
deleting anything?

Seems I have read it is not possible. I would like two partitions one for
data and one for OS and programs
so when I do a Disk Check or degrag it doesn't take so long.

Thanks for any advice.
Patti

Patti Barden wrote:
Using XP SP3, 500GB drive

Can I partition my C drive that has no partitions on but has the OS and data
and programs on it without
deleting anything?

Not to nitpick, but your C: drive *does* have a partition, the C: drive
*is* a partition.


Seems I have read it is not possible. I would like two partitions one for
data and one for OS and programs
so when I do a Disk Check or degrag it doesn't take so long.

You will have to use a third party tool like Terabyte's BootItNg or
Easus Partition Manager or other to do this.

MAKE SURE that you backup all your precious files before doing any
partition work! These tools are for most part safe to use but glitches
and errors while doing partition work can quickly lead to catastrophic
loss of all the data on the disk!

John

Patti Barden wrote:
Using XP SP3, 500GB drive

Can I partition my C drive that has no partitions on but has the OS and data
and programs on it without
deleting anything?

Not to nitpick, but your C: drive *does* have a partition, the C: drive
*is* a partition.


Seems I have read it is not possible. I would like two partitions one for
data and one for OS and programs
so when I do a Disk Check or degrag it doesn't take so long.

You will have to use a third party tool like Terabyte's BootItNg or
Easus Partition Manager or other to do this.

MAKE SURE that you backup all your precious files before doing any
partition work! These tools are for most part safe to use but glitches
and errors while doing partition work can quickly lead to catastrophic
loss of all the data on the disk!

John

Ok, thanks. I do have Paragon Partition Manager and Paragon Hard Disk
Manager but a novice on both.

Everyone always says make a "backup of files" before you do anything but how
do you backup 37GB data onto
a floppy disk?? That is the only option my XP gives me, that is why I bought
an external hard disk.

Thanks, Patti


"John John - MVP" wrote in message
...
Patti Barden wrote:
Using XP SP3, 500GB drive

Can I partition my C drive that has no partitions on but has the OS and
data and programs on it without
deleting anything?

Not to nitpick, but your C: drive *does* have a partition, the C: drive
*is* a partition.

OK, stand corrected.


Seems I have read it is not possible. I would like two partitions one for
data and one for OS and programs
so when I do a Disk Check or degrag it doesn't take so long.

You will have to use a third party tool like Terabyte's BootItNg or Easus
Partition Manager or other to do this.

MAKE SURE that you backup all your precious files before doing any
partition work! These tools are for most part safe to use but glitches
and errors while doing partition work can quickly lead to catastrophic
loss of all the data on the disk!

John

Ok, thanks. I do have Paragon Partition Manager and Paragon Hard Disk
Manager but a novice on both.

Everyone always says make a "backup of files" before you do anything but how
do you backup 37GB data onto
a floppy disk?? That is the only option my XP gives me, that is why I bought
an external hard disk.

Thanks, Patti


"John John - MVP" wrote in message
...
Patti Barden wrote:
Using XP SP3, 500GB drive

Can I partition my C drive that has no partitions on but has the OS and
data and programs on it without
deleting anything?

Not to nitpick, but your C: drive *does* have a partition, the C: drive
*is* a partition.

OK, stand corrected.


Seems I have read it is not possible. I would like two partitions one for
data and one for OS and programs
so when I do a Disk Check or degrag it doesn't take so long.

You will have to use a third party tool like Terabyte's BootItNg or Easus
Partition Manager or other to do this.

MAKE SURE that you backup all your precious files before doing any
partition work! These tools are for most part safe to use but glitches
and errors while doing partition work can quickly lead to catastrophic
loss of all the data on the disk!

John

In message , Patti Barden
writes:
Ok, thanks. I do have Paragon Partition Manager and Paragon Hard Disk
Manager but a novice on both.

Everyone always says make a "backup of files" before you do anything but how
do you backup 37GB data onto
a floppy disk?? That is the only option my XP gives me, that is why I bought
an external hard disk.

Thanks, Patti
[]
Depends what you (and the people telling you to do it) mean by "backup".

If what is meant is a full backup so that it can be restored if things
go wrong, you need an image-creation utility - there are hundreds out
there, free and paid; you also need to be sure that it will create
something (floppy or CD) from which a corrupted PC can be booted, so
that the saved image can be restored.

If what is meant is just a _copy_, then of course you can use your
external hard disc; you copy your _own_ files (documents, pictures,
videos, and data produced by other prog.s, such as maybe genealogy
data). If all goes wrong, you then have to reinstall your operating
system and applications, which is a daunting task, but at least you
haven't lost your _unique_ data. This assumes you have the original
installation discs for your OS and applications; for your OS, you
probably haven't: sometimes this is put in a hidden partition on the
disc (does your PC offer "factory restore" or some similar phrase,
briefly, during bootup? If so, it probably is using this method), but of
course if you're going to be playing with partitions, you may corrupt
that.

Many of the image-creation utilities will allow you to create the image
on your removable disc: just make sure that the mini-OS they create on a
floppy or CD is able to restore from (i. e. has drivers for) the
removable disc. (Many of them create what is in effect some variant of
Linux on the bootable medium, though may not say so; most Linuxes now
know about removable discs, so it shouldn't be a problem. May well turn
out to be a different drive letter though.)

FWIW, I recently used partition manager (8, I think) to resize the
partitions (to do as you are wanting to do, create a separate one for
the OS and for data - IMO a good idea, and many modern PCs are supplied
that way); although it was on a '98 system, I was most impressed with
how smoothly it went.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G.5AL-IS-P--Ch++(p)Ar@T0H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
** http://www.soft255.demon.co.uk/G6JPG-PC/JPGminPC.htm for ludicrously
outdated thoughts on PCs. **

"Mr. Spock succumbs to a powerful mating urge and nearly kills Captain Kirk."
- TV Guide description of Amok Time Trek episode.

In message , Patti Barden
writes:
Ok, thanks. I do have Paragon Partition Manager and Paragon Hard Disk
Manager but a novice on both.

Everyone always says make a "backup of files" before you do anything but how
do you backup 37GB data onto
a floppy disk?? That is the only option my XP gives me, that is why I bought
an external hard disk.

Thanks, Patti
[]
Depends what you (and the people telling you to do it) mean by "backup".

If what is meant is a full backup so that it can be restored if things
go wrong, you need an image-creation utility - there are hundreds out
there, free and paid; you also need to be sure that it will create
something (floppy or CD) from which a corrupted PC can be booted, so
that the saved image can be restored.

If what is meant is just a _copy_, then of course you can use your
external hard disc; you copy your _own_ files (documents, pictures,
videos, and data produced by other prog.s, such as maybe genealogy
data). If all goes wrong, you then have to reinstall your operating
system and applications, which is a daunting task, but at least you
haven't lost your _unique_ data. This assumes you have the original
installation discs for your OS and applications; for your OS, you
probably haven't: sometimes this is put in a hidden partition on the
disc (does your PC offer "factory restore" or some similar phrase,
briefly, during bootup? If so, it probably is using this method), but of
course if you're going to be playing with partitions, you may corrupt
that.

Many of the image-creation utilities will allow you to create the image
on your removable disc: just make sure that the mini-OS they create on a
floppy or CD is able to restore from (i. e. has drivers for) the
removable disc. (Many of them create what is in effect some variant of
Linux on the bootable medium, though may not say so; most Linuxes now
know about removable discs, so it shouldn't be a problem. May well turn
out to be a different drive letter though.)

FWIW, I recently used partition manager (8, I think) to resize the
partitions (to do as you are wanting to do, create a separate one for
the OS and for data - IMO a good idea, and many modern PCs are supplied
that way); although it was on a '98 system, I was most impressed with
how smoothly it went.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G.5AL-IS-P--Ch++(p)Ar@T0H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
** http://www.soft255.demon.co.uk/G6JPG-PC/JPGminPC.htm for ludicrously
outdated thoughts on PCs. **

"Mr. Spock succumbs to a powerful mating urge and nearly kills Captain Kirk."
- TV Guide description of Amok Time Trek episode.

I don't use Paragon tools but I'm quite sure that you can use these
tools to backup your 37GB of data onto your external drive. I'm also
sure that you can use these tools to resize your existing C: drive and
create additional partitions with the free unallocated space that you
will gain when you resize the C: drive. When you resize C: don't make
the common mistake of making it too small!

John

Patti Barden wrote:
Ok, thanks. I do have Paragon Partition Manager and Paragon Hard Disk
Manager but a novice on both.

Everyone always says make a "backup of files" before you do anything but how
do you backup 37GB data onto
a floppy disk?? That is the only option my XP gives me, that is why I bought
an external hard disk.

Thanks, Patti


"John John - MVP" wrote in message
...
Patti Barden wrote:
Using XP SP3, 500GB drive

Can I partition my C drive that has no partitions on but has the OS and
data and programs on it without
deleting anything?
Not to nitpick, but your C: drive *does* have a partition, the C: drive
*is* a partition.

OK, stand corrected.

Seems I have read it is not possible. I would like two partitions one for
data and one for OS and programs
so when I do a Disk Check or degrag it doesn't take so long.
You will have to use a third party tool like Terabyte's BootItNg or Easus
Partition Manager or other to do this.

MAKE SURE that you backup all your precious files before doing any
partition work! These tools are for most part safe to use but glitches
and errors while doing partition work can quickly lead to catastrophic
loss of all the data on the disk!

John

I don't use Paragon tools but I'm quite sure that you can use these
tools to backup your 37GB of data onto your external drive. I'm also
sure that you can use these tools to resize your existing C: drive and
create additional partitions with the free unallocated space that you
will gain when you resize the C: drive. When you resize C: don't make
the common mistake of making it too small!

John

Patti Barden wrote:
Ok, thanks. I do have Paragon Partition Manager and Paragon Hard Disk
Manager but a novice on both.

Everyone always says make a "backup of files" before you do anything but how
do you backup 37GB data onto
a floppy disk?? That is the only option my XP gives me, that is why I bought
an external hard disk.

Thanks, Patti


"John John - MVP" wrote in message
...
Patti Barden wrote:
Using XP SP3, 500GB drive

Can I partition my C drive that has no partitions on but has the OS and
data and programs on it without
deleting anything?
Not to nitpick, but your C: drive *does* have a partition, the C: drive
*is* a partition.

OK, stand corrected.

Seems I have read it is not possible. I would like two partitions one for
data and one for OS and programs
so when I do a Disk Check or degrag it doesn't take so long.
You will have to use a third party tool like Terabyte's BootItNg or Easus
Partition Manager or other to do this.

MAKE SURE that you backup all your precious files before doing any
partition work! These tools are for most part safe to use but glitches
and errors while doing partition work can quickly lead to catastrophic
loss of all the data on the disk!

John

In message , John John - MVP
writes:
I don't use Paragon tools but I'm quite sure that you can use these
tools to backup your 37GB of data onto your external drive. I'm also
sure that you can use these tools to resize your existing C: drive and
create additional partitions with the free unallocated space that you
will gain when you resize the C: drive. When you resize C: don't make
the common mistake of making it too small!
[]
Good point. If your intention is to have one partition for the operating
system (and I would suggest software), with all data on another
partition (or partitions), then I would suggest you _move_ your data
(pictures, videos, documents) _off_ your C: drive (to your removable
one, say) now, before doing any partition resizing; if you already have
37G used, that suggests to me that a lot of that is your data. (FWIW, On
this 1x0G system, I allocated 30G for OS-plus-software, and so far 9.23
of that is used; so far, I've filled 11.2G of the other partition with
data. People will argue endlessly about how much space you _should_
allocate to OS+software; for XP, 10G is probably not enough, and I would
say - especially if you are rigorous about preventing software from
storing stuff on C: - that 30G should be sufficient to last out XP.)
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G.5AL-IS-P--Ch++(p)Ar@T0H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
** http://www.soft255.demon.co.uk/G6JPG-PC/JPGminPC.htm for ludicrously
outdated thoughts on PCs. **

"Mr. Spock succumbs to a powerful mating urge and nearly kills Captain Kirk."
- TV Guide description of Amok Time Trek episode.

In message , John John - MVP
writes:
I don't use Paragon tools but I'm quite sure that you can use these
tools to backup your 37GB of data onto your external drive. I'm also
sure that you can use these tools to resize your existing C: drive and
create additional partitions with the free unallocated space that you
will gain when you resize the C: drive. When you resize C: don't make
the common mistake of making it too small!
[]
Good point. If your intention is to have one partition for the operating
system (and I would suggest software), with all data on another
partition (or partitions), then I would suggest you _move_ your data
(pictures, videos, documents) _off_ your C: drive (to your removable
one, say) now, before doing any partition resizing; if you already have
37G used, that suggests to me that a lot of that is your data. (FWIW, On
this 1x0G system, I allocated 30G for OS-plus-software, and so far 9.23
of that is used; so far, I've filled 11.2G of the other partition with
data. People will argue endlessly about how much space you _should_
allocate to OS+software; for XP, 10G is probably not enough, and I would
say - especially if you are rigorous about preventing software from
storing stuff on C: - that 30G should be sufficient to last out XP.)
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G.5AL-IS-P--Ch++(p)Ar@T0H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
** http://www.soft255.demon.co.uk/G6JPG-PC/JPGminPC.htm for ludicrously
outdated thoughts on PCs. **

"Mr. Spock succumbs to a powerful mating urge and nearly kills Captain Kirk."
- TV Guide description of Amok Time Trek episode.

Thanks everyone - I am struggling.

If before I do anything I should make a backup/copy of my
37GB data in case anything goes wrong -
where do I put the backup/copy? If I partition
the EHD (external hard disk) and put the
backup/copy on it and then Clone
the C Hard disk and put the clone on the EHC,
I think that erases everything on the EHD which would negate
my backups. Using a CD or floppy would mean a lot of disks or floppies?
What am I missing?
Patti


"Patti Barden" wrote in message
...
Ok, thanks. I do have Paragon Partition Manager and Paragon Hard Disk
Manager but a novice on both.

Everyone always says make a "backup of files" before you do anything but
how do you backup 37GB data onto
a floppy disk?? That is the only option my XP gives me, that is why I
bought an external hard disk.

Thanks, Patti


"John John - MVP" wrote in message
...
Patti Barden wrote:
Using XP SP3, 500GB drive

Can I partition my C drive that has no partitions on but has the OS and
data and programs on it without
deleting anything?

Not to nitpick, but your C: drive *does* have a partition, the C: drive
*is* a partition.

OK, stand corrected.


Seems I have read it is not possible. I would like two partitions one
for data and one for OS and programs
so when I do a Disk Check or degrag it doesn't take so long.

You will have to use a third party tool like Terabyte's BootItNg or Easus
Partition Manager or other to do this.

MAKE SURE that you backup all your precious files before doing any
partition work! These tools are for most part safe to use but glitches
and errors while doing partition work can quickly lead to catastrophic
loss of all the data on the disk!

John

Thanks everyone - I am struggling.

If before I do anything I should make a backup/copy of my
37GB data in case anything goes wrong -
where do I put the backup/copy? If I partition
the EHD (external hard disk) and put the
backup/copy on it and then Clone
the C Hard disk and put the clone on the EHC,
I think that erases everything on the EHD which would negate
my backups. Using a CD or floppy would mean a lot of disks or floppies?
What am I missing?
Patti


"Patti Barden" wrote in message
...
Ok, thanks. I do have Paragon Partition Manager and Paragon Hard Disk
Manager but a novice on both.

Everyone always says make a "backup of files" before you do anything but
how do you backup 37GB data onto
a floppy disk?? That is the only option my XP gives me, that is why I
bought an external hard disk.

Thanks, Patti


"John John - MVP" wrote in message
...
Patti Barden wrote:
Using XP SP3, 500GB drive

Can I partition my C drive that has no partitions on but has the OS and
data and programs on it without
deleting anything?

Not to nitpick, but your C: drive *does* have a partition, the C: drive
*is* a partition.

OK, stand corrected.


Seems I have read it is not possible. I would like two partitions one
for data and one for OS and programs
so when I do a Disk Check or degrag it doesn't take so long.

You will have to use a third party tool like Terabyte's BootItNg or Easus
Partition Manager or other to do this.

MAKE SURE that you backup all your precious files before doing any
partition work! These tools are for most part safe to use but glitches
and errors while doing partition work can quickly lead to catastrophic
loss of all the data on the disk!

John

External hard drives are cheap.
"Patti Barden" wrote in message
...
: Thanks everyone - I am struggling.
:
: If before I do anything I should make a backup/copy of my
: 37GB data in case anything goes wrong -
: where do I put the backup/copy? If I partition
: the EHD (external hard disk) and put the
: backup/copy on it and then Clone
: the C Hard disk and put the clone on the EHC,
: I think that erases everything on the EHD which would negate
: my backups. Using a CD or floppy would mean a lot of disks or floppies?
: What am I missing?
: Patti
:
:
: "Patti Barden" wrote in message
: ...
: Ok, thanks. I do have Paragon Partition Manager and Paragon Hard Disk
: Manager but a novice on both.
:
: Everyone always says make a "backup of files" before you do anything but
: how do you backup 37GB data onto
: a floppy disk?? That is the only option my XP gives me, that is why I
: bought an external hard disk.
:
: Thanks, Patti
:
:
: "John John - MVP" wrote in message
: ...
: Patti Barden wrote:
: Using XP SP3, 500GB drive
:
: Can I partition my C drive that has no partitions on but has the OS
and
: data and programs on it without
: deleting anything?
:
: Not to nitpick, but your C: drive *does* have a partition, the C: drive
: *is* a partition.
:
: OK, stand corrected.
:
:
: Seems I have read it is not possible. I would like two partitions one
: for data and one for OS and programs
: so when I do a Disk Check or degrag it doesn't take so long.
:
: You will have to use a third party tool like Terabyte's BootItNg or
Easus
: Partition Manager or other to do this.
:
: MAKE SURE that you backup all your precious files before doing any
: partition work! These tools are for most part safe to use but glitches
: and errors while doing partition work can quickly lead to catastrophic
: loss of all the data on the disk!
:
: John
:
:
:
:

External hard drives are cheap.
"Patti Barden" wrote in message
...
: Thanks everyone - I am struggling.
:
: If before I do anything I should make a backup/copy of my
: 37GB data in case anything goes wrong -
: where do I put the backup/copy? If I partition
: the EHD (external hard disk) and put the
: backup/copy on it and then Clone
: the C Hard disk and put the clone on the EHC,
: I think that erases everything on the EHD which would negate
: my backups. Using a CD or floppy would mean a lot of disks or floppies?
: What am I missing?
: Patti
:
:
: "Patti Barden" wrote in message
: ...
: Ok, thanks. I do have Paragon Partition Manager and Paragon Hard Disk
: Manager but a novice on both.
:
: Everyone always says make a "backup of files" before you do anything but
: how do you backup 37GB data onto
: a floppy disk?? That is the only option my XP gives me, that is why I
: bought an external hard disk.
:
: Thanks, Patti
:
:
: "John John - MVP" wrote in message
: ...
: Patti Barden wrote:
: Using XP SP3, 500GB drive
:
: Can I partition my C drive that has no partitions on but has the OS
and
: data and programs on it without
: deleting anything?
:
: Not to nitpick, but your C: drive *does* have a partition, the C: drive
: *is* a partition.
:
: OK, stand corrected.
:
:
: Seems I have read it is not possible. I would like two partitions one
: for data and one for OS and programs
: so when I do a Disk Check or degrag it doesn't take so long.
:
: You will have to use a third party tool like Terabyte's BootItNg or
Easus
: Partition Manager or other to do this.
:
: MAKE SURE that you backup all your precious files before doing any
: partition work! These tools are for most part safe to use but glitches
: and errors while doing partition work can quickly lead to catastrophic
: loss of all the data on the disk!
:
: John
:
:
:
: