Partitioning Questions

Hi friends,

I am having the same issue the discussion which was going here , like un-able to make 5th partition.. looks like the conclusion says we CANNOT make further partition , but not sure if something mean in the discussion.

Current status of partitions on my HP dv6t laptop :-
(C - 220.25GB
HP_TOOLS - 99MB
RECOVERY(D - 28.01GB
SYSYTEM - 199MB

Unallocated - 217.18GB --> initially i tried to shrink some space from c: drive ,

but unable to make new name means volume to it - throwing warning in the final stage which making frightened to move further ( please check attached screen shot)

So after reading this blog.. i felt like its NOT safe to make new 5th partition..

My doubts / question here :-

1) How to include ( combine) unallocated 217.18GB back to C: drive ?

2) I would like write the Recovery(D) data to DVDs , how to write/burn to dvds ?

Can someone help me here ??
Let me know if anything is not clear in my words , i can explain more..
Thanks alot in advance

-Kiran

I moved your post into a thread of its own so people will find it more easily.

Yes and no. A hard drive can have up to four partitions, if those partitions are all "primary" partitions. It can, however, have more than four IF one of the four partitions is an extended partition. An extended partition contains what we call "logical volumes." For all intents and purposes, they're just like regular partitions, ie. Windows can assign drive letters to them and so forth. An extended partition itself is not a partition in the sense that it cannot be mapped to a drive letter, all it does is contains logical volumes.

The problem with your current setup is that all four partitions are primaries, so you cannot add new partitions without erasing one of them and turning it into an extended partition, and then creating logical volumes inside it.

You can't get rid of the "System" partition without a Windows reinstall. I am hesitant to recommend removal of the Recovery partition...but you're low on options here. I don't know what the HP Tools partition contains; probably the usual crapware the OEMs like to install on fresh Windows installations. If I were you, I'd probably burn the Recovery partition to DVDs using HP's utilities (usually you can press a specific key during boot to enter the Recovery feature, from which you can burn recovery discs), and then remove the partition entirely. At this point you'll have only three primary partitions and should be able to create an extended one.

I'd use something more robust than Windows' Disk Management for this.There might be a "merge" feature in Disk Management; I always use Paragon, not Windows, for my partition purposes, so I can't say for sure.

Thanks for you're prompt reply on my issue..

So i understood that unless i remove some partition from existing 4 primary partitions , i can't make new partition - well fine!

On you're words/suggest , even i would like to "BURN" recovery partition to DVDs..

The "Recovery" partition contains total of 28.01GB ..

So usually if i have some data on drive , then I burn it using dvd writer.. , but in this case the same way have apply or do we have any special type?

Can you help me how to burn it ? steps ?

Thanks for you're help.

-Kiran

kiran, I don't know about the "HP Tools", funny thing today, when I was at the Toyota dealership getting a timing belt installed, and was using their guest internet, I noticed an "HP Tools" as an internet connection. What a coincidence.

I have an HP myself, a little over a year old, but I don't have that partition on here, must be something new. So I'm going to say leave it alone.

Anyway, do you have your manual to your computer? Inside of it, there are instructions on making recovery discs. You probably can type "Burn Recovery Discs" into your Start Menu, w/o the quotes, and the option will appear. You will need a 5 pack of DVD-R discs for the job. Use brand name discs, such as Sony or Memorex. Although it probably will only take 3 of them, sometimes you can get a bum disc, and the program checks the disc before writing it. I had to trash one myself. Also, you need to do this before anything goes wrong with the install, as soon as possible after purchase.

Once you have the recovery discs burned, a 90 minute job, AND fully backup your computer (see Macrium Reflect in the Free Software Database on this forum), you can delete the recovery partition.

Now tell me, just what do you plan to install there? If it's a Linux OS, you'll need to make a main or / partition & a swap partition equal to your installed RAM? Both need to be logical partitions. If it's a Windows Data partition, I haven't created one, so I don't know how to do it.

Let me know if I've helped you.

Best of Luck,
Cat

Catilley -

I tried typing "Burn Recovery Discs" in startup menu , but didn't showed any results..

I have another quick question/doubt - Can i combine the un-allocated space to another drive partition ?

For example ,
my C drive occupying 220GB , and i have 200GB as un-allocated space where initially i have shrink-ed from C drive only... so now if i want to put this 200gb back to C drive ,is it possible ? how ?

Thanks.
Kiran

Have you read your owner's manual closely, as to your recovery discs? The instructions should be there, if not visit the web site of the OEM, or call Customer Service, a number should be in the manual.

As to your drive, type in "Create and Format hard disk partitions", click onto it, you'll see a chart. If you need to simply add space back to the drive, right click the space that you want to enlarge, and select "Extend Volume", then use as much of it as you want to add back.

Cat

Ok got clarified regarding extended volume - thanks

Yeah - i haven't read the manual yet , i'll go thru it first and come back to you incase if i have doubts regarding partition/recovery disc.

Thanks
Kiran

As to burning recovery discs, type in "Recovery Disc Creation" into your Start Menu. If that option (or similar wording) appears, click onto it. From there, you can build this recovery disc set. Both mine and your computers are HP, and recent, so there shouldn't be much difference. Power2Go is the burning program that does these kind of tasks on mine.

I've probably already mentioned that it'll take at least 90 minutes, so make sure that you have adequate time to finish the job. And have at least a 5 pack of brand name DVD-R discs. Sony or Memorex will do, avoid cheap brands for this task, they'll have to last. You'll probably only need three, but sometimes you get a bum disc, it's best to have an extra, than not enough. Use a felt tip pen and number the discs as they complete, and put each into a sleeve by itself. Many 5 packs comes with anti-static plastic cases, these are perfect for storing them in.

Just make sure that each disc (and sleeve/case) is numbered, and put them in a safe place, I have mine stored in a small cardboard box (one that a USB wi-fi adapter came in), inside of my personal fireproof safe. Once you've made these discs, you can't make them again, so this is why you don't want to misplace them, or a kid could think that they're video DVD's, if they're laying around.

If you need further assistance with this task, let us know.

Cat

Hi Catilley ,

Finally i am able burn the recovery drive to DVDs - i'm good.

Now i just want to know couple of clarification here -

1. Was it normal deleting the drive by right-click>>delete or any other ?

2. Can i shrink more from C drive after deleting recovery drive , because c drive occupying 200GB which i dont want.. just want to put 100GB - so was it possible to shrink from it ?

Please let me know for any questions / doubts..

Thanks for your help.

Thanks
Kiran

What you need to do prior to shrinking the drive, is a complete defrag first. Download a free (30 day) trial of Perfect Disk Pro, you have the option to "Consolidate Free Space", this allowed me to get my "C" drive down to 160GB, before, it would go no further than 250GB.

Perfect Disk can be found at:

http://www.raxco.com/

Take advantage of the full 30 days that you have with this program, you'll notice a great advantage in your drive seek times. Plus, use the "boot time" defrag for your system and page files, these cannot be defragged with convential tools.

Then, go to the Free Software Database on this forum, and download Mini Tool Partition Wizard Home Edition, with that tool, you can do all of the shrinking/expanding/creating partitions that you need. Remember, you need to stay below 4 primaries, or you cannot create additional partitions at all.

And remember, backup before doing anything with your partitions.

Good Luck.

Cat