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

First, set up your external drive (as someone already mentioned).
Partition it with either a single partition or with more than one if
that's what you want...doesn't really matter.

When the external drive is set up, use (I assume you are using...)
Acronis True Image to create an image of your system, storing it on the
external drive.

If you make an image, rather than "cloning" the drive, it make a large
file with a .tib extension ...tib stands for True Image Backup. It is
just a file....it doesn't erase anything on the drive, any more than
making a text file and putting it there would erase anything.

Why are you cloning the drive to the external drive?? You usually only
clone if you plan to REPLACE your C: drive with the other
drive....that's not what you need to do. True Image makes .tib files
which can be restored if needed by using the rescue boot CD made with
True Image, to boot your computer and then choose to restore from the
external drive.

Read the Help files please!
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Oct. 2002 - Sept. 2009
A+
http://dts-l.net/


"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

First, set up your external drive (as someone already mentioned).
Partition it with either a single partition or with more than one if
that's what you want...doesn't really matter.

When the external drive is set up, use (I assume you are using...)
Acronis True Image to create an image of your system, storing it on the
external drive.

If you make an image, rather than "cloning" the drive, it make a large
file with a .tib extension ...tib stands for True Image Backup. It is
just a file....it doesn't erase anything on the drive, any more than
making a text file and putting it there would erase anything.

Why are you cloning the drive to the external drive?? You usually only
clone if you plan to REPLACE your C: drive with the other
drive....that's not what you need to do. True Image makes .tib files
which can be restored if needed by using the rescue boot CD made with
True Image, to boot your computer and then choose to restore from the
external drive.

Read the Help files please!
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Oct. 2002 - Sept. 2009
A+
http://dts-l.net/


"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

In message , glee
writes:
First, set up your external drive (as someone already mentioned).
Partition it with either a single partition or with more than one if
that's what you want...doesn't really matter.

That someone was me. Do as glee says. If the external hard drive is
already usable, then it's already been set up - though probably only as
one partition; stick with that if that's what you want. (Personally I'd
divide it, but that's just me.)

When the external drive is set up, use (I assume you are using...)
Acronis True Image to create an image of your system, storing it on the
external drive.

If you make an image, rather than "cloning" the drive, it make a large
file with a .tib extension ...tib stands for True Image Backup. It is
just a file....it doesn't erase anything on the drive, any more than
making a text file and putting it there would erase anything.

Whatever you are using (Acronis?) should also offer (or have the option)
to make a bootable CD or something; let it do so. You need that to boot
the system from if your subsequent actions render the system unable to
boot from the internal drive. This would let you restore the internal
drive from the image file, should that become necessary. (Without the
bootable CD, having the image backup file will be no use to you if you
do corrupt your system!)

Why are you cloning the drive to the external drive?? You usually only
clone if you plan to REPLACE your C: drive with the other
drive....that's not what you need to do. True Image makes .tib files
which can be restored if needed by using the rescue boot CD made with
True Image, to boot your computer and then choose to restore from the
external drive.

I agree with glee - no need to clone, if you're making an image file.

Read the Help files please!
[]
"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
(see above/below)
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

It would; it would also (if it worked at all) make the EHD appear to be
the same size as the IHD you are cloning, I think. Just do an image
(which is a special form of backup/copy, which the bootable CD is able
to restore from). As I said in an earlier post, a clone - if the term is
being used correctly - copies all the unused space as well, which you
don't need to do.

my backups. Using a CD or floppy would mean a lot of disks or floppies?

(Well, you could use DVDs, but you'd still need several of them to
backup 37G. As well as some way of being able to restore from them. Just
backup/image to the EHD.)

What am I missing?
Patti

I personally would _move_ much of your _data_ _off_ your C: drive - I'm
assuming much of that 37G is data, not operating system or software -
before playing with it; it will give you a smaller system you need to
work with. (And after you've finished all your repartitioning, amend as
much software as possible so that its default storage location is D: or
above, not C:; Office - that's Word etc. - can be told not to use C:,
and _most_ other good software can as well.)

Just for my own curiosity, what _is_ taking up all that space (37G) -
lots of movie files?
[]
--
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. **

Boss: We must maintain a sense of urgency. Speed is the key. We must be faster
than the competition.
Dilbert: Does that mean you'll sign the stuff that's been on your desk for a
month? (Scott Adams, 1998-12-26)

In message , glee
writes:
First, set up your external drive (as someone already mentioned).
Partition it with either a single partition or with more than one if
that's what you want...doesn't really matter.

That someone was me. Do as glee says. If the external hard drive is
already usable, then it's already been set up - though probably only as
one partition; stick with that if that's what you want. (Personally I'd
divide it, but that's just me.)

When the external drive is set up, use (I assume you are using...)
Acronis True Image to create an image of your system, storing it on the
external drive.

If you make an image, rather than "cloning" the drive, it make a large
file with a .tib extension ...tib stands for True Image Backup. It is
just a file....it doesn't erase anything on the drive, any more than
making a text file and putting it there would erase anything.

Whatever you are using (Acronis?) should also offer (or have the option)
to make a bootable CD or something; let it do so. You need that to boot
the system from if your subsequent actions render the system unable to
boot from the internal drive. This would let you restore the internal
drive from the image file, should that become necessary. (Without the
bootable CD, having the image backup file will be no use to you if you
do corrupt your system!)

Why are you cloning the drive to the external drive?? You usually only
clone if you plan to REPLACE your C: drive with the other
drive....that's not what you need to do. True Image makes .tib files
which can be restored if needed by using the rescue boot CD made with
True Image, to boot your computer and then choose to restore from the
external drive.

I agree with glee - no need to clone, if you're making an image file.

Read the Help files please!
[]
"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
(see above/below)
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

It would; it would also (if it worked at all) make the EHD appear to be
the same size as the IHD you are cloning, I think. Just do an image
(which is a special form of backup/copy, which the bootable CD is able
to restore from). As I said in an earlier post, a clone - if the term is
being used correctly - copies all the unused space as well, which you
don't need to do.

my backups. Using a CD or floppy would mean a lot of disks or floppies?

(Well, you could use DVDs, but you'd still need several of them to
backup 37G. As well as some way of being able to restore from them. Just
backup/image to the EHD.)

What am I missing?
Patti

I personally would _move_ much of your _data_ _off_ your C: drive - I'm
assuming much of that 37G is data, not operating system or software -
before playing with it; it will give you a smaller system you need to
work with. (And after you've finished all your repartitioning, amend as
much software as possible so that its default storage location is D: or
above, not C:; Office - that's Word etc. - can be told not to use C:,
and _most_ other good software can as well.)

Just for my own curiosity, what _is_ taking up all that space (37G) -
lots of movie files?
[]
--
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. **

Boss: We must maintain a sense of urgency. Speed is the key. We must be faster
than the competition.
Dilbert: Does that mean you'll sign the stuff that's been on your desk for a
month? (Scott Adams, 1998-12-26)

"Patti Barden" wrote:

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.

Yep, cloning wipes out backups. So don't do that.

And don't try to back stuff up with crunchies or CDs,
that's like trying to bail out the Titanic with a teaspoon.

Instead, either clone, OR do backups, to a large external
hard disk.

If you have the install disks for your OS and programs,
just backup your irreplacable files (music, pictures, ebooks,
videos, files from work or home business, personal finances).
Make one big partition on your external hard disk. I recommend
formatting it as FAT32, so that you can access it with various
operating systems if necessary. Drag and drop folders from
C: to your external disk, using Windows Explorer.

OR

If you don't have install disks for your OS and programs,
use an "image" or "ghost" program to snapshot your whole
C: drive onto your external disk.

Then you can change partitions on your main hard disk at will.
Use a partition manager, such as "PowerQuest PartitionMagic".
Move boundaries around as you like.

Adjusting partitions SHOULDN'T damage any of the data on
your drive C:. But if it does (very unlikely), you can
recover easily enough if you've made backups or a clone.

--
Cheers,
Robbie Hatley
lonewolf at well dot com
www dot well dot com slant tilde lonewolf slant

"Patti Barden" wrote:

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.

Yep, cloning wipes out backups. So don't do that.

And don't try to back stuff up with crunchies or CDs,
that's like trying to bail out the Titanic with a teaspoon.

Instead, either clone, OR do backups, to a large external
hard disk.

If you have the install disks for your OS and programs,
just backup your irreplacable files (music, pictures, ebooks,
videos, files from work or home business, personal finances).
Make one big partition on your external hard disk. I recommend
formatting it as FAT32, so that you can access it with various
operating systems if necessary. Drag and drop folders from
C: to your external disk, using Windows Explorer.

OR

If you don't have install disks for your OS and programs,
use an "image" or "ghost" program to snapshot your whole
C: drive onto your external disk.

Then you can change partitions on your main hard disk at will.
Use a partition manager, such as "PowerQuest PartitionMagic".
Move boundaries around as you like.

Adjusting partitions SHOULDN'T damage any of the data on
your drive C:. But if it does (very unlikely), you can
recover easily enough if you've made backups or a clone.

--
Cheers,
Robbie Hatley
lonewolf at well dot com
www dot well dot com slant tilde lonewolf slant

"Robbie Hatley" wrote in message
...
snip
Then you can change partitions on your main hard disk at will.
Use a partition manager, such as "PowerQuest PartitionMagic".
Move boundaries around as you like.
snip

PowerQuest Partition magic hasn't been in existence for a while...at
version 8, it was bought out by Symantec in 2003, and was renamed Norton
Partition Magic. No new versions were released since that time, and it
was discontinued last year.
Welcome to 2010....
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Oct. 2002 - Sept. 2009
A+
http://dts-l.net/

"Robbie Hatley" wrote in message
...
snip
Then you can change partitions on your main hard disk at will.
Use a partition manager, such as "PowerQuest PartitionMagic".
Move boundaries around as you like.
snip

PowerQuest Partition magic hasn't been in existence for a while...at
version 8, it was bought out by Symantec in 2003, and was renamed Norton
Partition Magic. No new versions were released since that time, and it
was discontinued last year.
Welcome to 2010....
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Oct. 2002 - Sept. 2009
A+
http://dts-l.net/

Use AOMEI Partition Assistant to split C drive into two partitions.
http://www.disk-partition.com/help/split-partition.html