partitions

Hi there
I have just purchased a new dell computer it has a 140gb hard drive I would
like to partition this but unsure whether I have to reformat the whole drive
then have to reload windows. can anybody help please

Sue

Sue,
If the drive was partitioned as one single partition, there are no tools
native to winXP which will let you repartion the drive without first
deleting the existing partition. Then you will need to create the new
partition and reinstall the operating system and all application.
Doing this wipes out everything on the drive.

There are 3rd party tools that will let you repartition without loosing the
operating system, application and data.
The easier one to use may be partition magic (kind of expensive for a one
time use) and bootitng is another.
Bootitng has a 30 day trial period thus may be a better choice.
http://www.bootitng.com/

Note: Make sure you back up all important data before trying

--
Jon Hildrum
DTS MVP

www.hildrum.com
"Sue Davies" wrote in message
...
Hi there
I have just purchased a new dell computer it has a 140gb hard drive I
would
like to partition this but unsure whether I have to reformat the whole
drive
then have to reload windows. can anybody help please

Sue

You maybe able to find a trial version of partition magic to partition you
hard drive, but xp does a much better job. Something you want to consider,
Dell does NOT support partitioning and it may kill your warranty, so you
want to talk to them first.


"Jon_Hildrum" wrote in message
...
Sue,
If the drive was partitioned as one single partition, there are no tools
native to winXP which will let you repartion the drive without first
deleting the existing partition. Then you will need to create the new
partition and reinstall the operating system and all application.
Doing this wipes out everything on the drive.

There are 3rd party tools that will let you repartition without loosing
the
operating system, application and data.
The easier one to use may be partition magic (kind of expensive for a one
time use) and bootitng is another.
Bootitng has a 30 day trial period thus may be a better choice.
http://www.bootitng.com/

Note: Make sure you back up all important data before trying

--
Jon Hildrum
DTS MVP

www.hildrum.com
"Sue Davies" wrote in message
...
Hi there
I have just purchased a new dell computer it has a 140gb hard drive I
would
like to partition this but unsure whether I have to reformat the whole
drive
then have to reload windows. can anybody help please

Sue