A Partition Specific thread.

[Loose rivets]

So as not to wander in a multiplicity of drift angles, I'll open this in the hope that it will be of interest generally.

I looked at some Goo-goil hits on Partitioning, alongside the CompUSA head tekki here. There was a very specific statement that said that no other party's software is required for Vista and W7.

As mentioned on my other thread, I got caught out by allowing the installation to kill the other partitions and then load W7 in C, certain that I would be able to adjust things afterwords. I could do, but I would be limited in the amount of Reduction of the size of C. With a 500 Gig drive, I was offered a reduction down to about 230 Gig. I wanted 100 for the OS dedicated partition.

The reason it seems, is that the instalation had put imovable files out to that size. The reason my laptop is about right is because it's half the capacity, so it seems that W7 grabs a certain proportion, rather than a certain amount of a partition in bytes.

For me, I would like to fix the OS in 100 Gig. Without using a third party's software, how can I prepare a HD to be the right partition sizes.

(The machine I'm on was partitioned with XP, and W7 contained itself in a C drive of about 100.)

[Bushfiva]

Assuming the non-movable file is your paging file, delete & recreate your paging file. Or, move the paging file to another partition (that will either stay the same or get bigger during resizing) either temporarily or permanently, then resize.

[Saab Dastard]

Without using a third party's software, how can I prepare a HD to be the right partition sizes.

No problem, from a clean boot using win7 disk, remove any existing partitions and then create the partition of the size you want. Then install Win7 on that partition. It's all in the installation sequence for Win7 (and Vista, XP, 2K, NT4...)

SD

[Loose rivets]

I'll have a look at the hidden files, that's an interesting thought that they might be moved.


It seems logical that at the point of removing partitions, I missed a step. The manager of C-usa thought there was an option at bottom right of the screen, but its wording was not specific.

At one stage about there, I noticed the very icon that seemed logical, was gray'ed out. I guess I'll have to wait until I get to the full installation to find out.

Since this is all a learning exercise, I felt tempted to scrub it and start again, but there are still some issues that are more important. But...I promised not to drift.;)

[mad_jock]

scrub and start again

[Loose rivets]

I almost did, but then thought that this setup would do to learn in.


I was intrigued with the idea of moving the immovable files and crated D and E However, I haven't found a way to move the .sys files, as they report as In use.

[mad_jock]

you will have to boot from another partion or use a live os off a usb stick

[Tinstaafl]

Boot from one of the Linux live CD/DVDs. You'll be able to adjust partitions as much as you like with a graphical partitions tool such as GParted. RIP (Recovery Is Possible) is a Linux distro with loads of tools for doing things to disks.

[Keef]

Indeed, Linux-on-a-CD is an excellent way to manage partitions. It's the only way I know to do some of the stuff I did when I reconfigured my desktop machine.

BUT ... if you use it to move unmoveable Windows files, interesting things can happen. The Windows may recover (mine did) but it'll get a bit shirty about it.

[jimtherev]

... interesting things can happen. The Windows may recover (mine did) but it'll get a bit shirty about it.
Wonderful understatement / turn of phrase, Keef :)
Jim

[Loose rivets]

There seems to be a list of utilities, but I've not partitioned from a command prompt with anything but F-Disk.


DiskPart (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc770877%28WS.10%29.aspx)

[Keef]

I've not used DiskPart. I use FDISK. When I did the home desktop machine, I couldn't find FDISK on the Win 7 DVD so I used Knoppix (Linux run from a CD) which was as easy as shelling peas. It has two programmes that will do the job - GPartEd or QTPartEd - just to be sure.

There are now three hard drives in that machine, partitioned from C to L, with two external USB ones for backup (M and S). S is up in the attic where burglarisationers can't get to it.

[Loose rivets]

Thanks Keef. hee hee, that would be a good word for the JB thread that's running.

[Loose rivets]

Weeks later and the new W7 is still on the shelf in front of me. Both my PCs are on borrowed time with the Beta RC.

It caught me once on the two hour shut down penalty. I'd put a Sticky Notes on the screen with the crash time on it, but can't get the darn thing to stay on top. So, time to get on with the install.

Sadly I've binned my Lynux discs, cos W7 was to be the OS. Always, throw something out and you need it.

The Beta is still operational. Is there a way to create a boot disc from the installed OS . . . or even from the new copy?

Having done that, and while running from the DVD drive, it might free up the files in C drive that can't be deleted cos they're in use when operating from the H-D. The idea being that the OS might still run without them and I'd be free to move the partition.

But, would the OS just re-instate these files, or even refuse to run without them.

C drive is currently 285 gig...I'd like to aim for 100 gig.

I have been reading the stuff found on forums, but the hundreds of hits are so varied and nothing I've found simply states how to do it.


One guy proudly announced who he was and that we were going to make a boot disc, then he directed the viewer to MS site on how to do it. They started with make a floppy...and got dafter from there on. :ugh::ugh:

[Loose rivets]

The files that block the moving of the partition were there right from the get-go. I managed to create D and E, but C had this annoying limit on the reduction.

I can see the files, but can't delete them cos they're "in use".


Even as a retired person, I'm feeling stressed out about the time I'm wasting. Up until nearly 5am talking to T-Mobile about the daft phone I've got. Getting to grips with Android and the like is exceeding the time I'll spend on the phone if I live to be 100.

[Loose rivets]

You have a couple of options..
Start over from scratch and repartition your disk to the desired size before you commence the OS reinstall process.


I'm willing to start from scratch, but as mentioned weeks ago, I was never offered partitioning options during the install. Following a discussion on this forum, I stripped the lot and did it again, very carefully looking at the point that Saab? said would offer the option. Not a thing.

Now it might be that the Beta RC is slightly different. But I think I'll press on with the partition as it is, cos I've still to face MS when registering the OEM version of W7 Pro.

Different subject, but I've now had three different conversations with MS about this, (OEM issues) including the fact that the machine was tested with XP, and the parts data no doubt stored. Still okay, and my calls on record...I don't expect anything to be simple these days...they'll probably deny I exist. :hmm:.

[Loose rivets]

Thanks for that


Do you know how it works? By this I mean does it manipulate the disc just as FDisk used to do, or does it leave management files hidden in the works - as I suspect Partition Magic does.

I used P M a while back, and for some reason I've forgotten, I got the impression it left some detritus behind.

[Loose rivets]

I just accepted the partition for the moment. The issue of OEM license was a more important issue. See that thread.

However, the drives have re-named themselves.

I've just deleted my ramblings, having changed the drive letters. I'm still curious as to why they changed with the new installation, but I'll just live with it.

[Saab Dastard]

Does anyone know why the installation of Beta would have shown them one way, and the licensed copy, another?


Every version of Windows I have ever worked with does this - there seems to be no way to prevent Windows from ****ing up disk order at installation if you have more than one disk.

Ever since Windows NT3.50 I have found Windows spreading boot and system files in a random fashion over any available disks - not actually random, but that's what it seems like!

I find the only way to guarantee the correct disk order is to either physically remove (power or data cable), disable in BIOS, or leave unpartitioned (and therefore unformatted) all but the initial installation disk.

SD

[Loose rivets]

Ah! Only one drive in now, but there may well have been two drives in when I installed the Beta.


The E drive is now the logical, and C and D are Primary. [C having other designated tasks.] That seems to be more...logical. (Groan)

[A A Gruntpuddock]

Windows defrag just seems to defragment all the files but without moving them.

I have a disk program (PerfectDisk) which has an option to move all the files to the start of the partition.

When you run it in Drive C it reports that it cannot move system files because they are in use. However, it then asks if you want to schedule a defrag on that disk next time it boots. Works fine and I am sure there are other defrag programs that have that option.

[Loose rivets]

But that seems to imply that the paging files or what have you, are moved to the busy area. Is that desirable?


I guess what we all need is a program that lets us put things just where we want to...de-fragging and pushing stuff out of the way as it goes.:}

I wasn't very happy with the way the install went. It said something about saving a file 'Windows.old" That seemed sensible, but when I came to remove it, it took ages, and I had a picture in me noggin' of a disc that needed de-fragging before it was an hour old.

[A A Gruntpuddock]

If you set up a defrag on boot then Windows is not running so there is no paging file.page

If you allow Windows to manage paged memory then I don't think there is a fixed file anyway so it should not impede the moving of a partition boundary.

You can always set up a fixed size once you have sorted it all out or, better still, put the paging file on a separate disk.

[Loose rivets]

Thanks for the info.

I'm getting the gist about the defrag allowing me to effect the maneuver.



Always best to start with a clean slate.




Not 'arf, but I was never asked if I wanted to format...and believe me, I was watching for that like a hawk.

SoCal implies that the question re format comes first.

That has to be the answer, cos the only thing I can think is that I accepted the saving of Windows.old, which then precluded a format. (the OS wouldn't have been wise enough to think to use other logical drives.)

Shame that...I would do the whole thing again if it wasn't for pushing me luck with MS.

I'll think about reinstalling, while I try to fix the sound issue. I'll start a separate thread on that so this stays on one track.

[Loose rivets]

Moved virtual memory to D drive. Rebooted. No change.

There is a sizable file called hiberfil.sys hidden in C drive. I wondered if it was hibernate data and if it would be at the annoying end of the disc. Can't budge it of course.

Can one turn hibernate off in W7? Looked via Search, can do lots of things, but not that...no help at all.

De-fragged drive. Made quite a difference - especially when assessing the need to...de-frag:}

[A A Gruntpuddock]

I don't think that the standard Windows defrag would be much use since it merely re-connects the file elements but leaves the files in much the same place.

PerfectDisk (and similar programs) can also remove the spaces between files to compact the directory and that is when the files stuck up near the partition get moved down out of the way.

Lying awake in the early hours (as usual) it occcurred to me that every partition program I used had the option of creating an emergency boot disk so you could carry out repairs when it all went tits up. This put a copy of the program on a bootable cd.

Perhaps you could create such a disk which would, of course, be running before Windows woke up so could work its magic without any interference?

[Loose rivets]

Ah, Boot disk, that's what I was after the other day.

I'd like to crack this problem, but mustn't let it consume too many hours. Cutting into Jet Blast...and that's supposed to be therapeutic. :rolleyes:


I rather miss Peter Norton's little blocks moving about. Used to be pleasantly Mesmerized by that screen for hours.