Vista - Partitioning Software

Before you flame the thread saying partitioning capabilities are already included in x64, they are bad and limited. I cannot expand my system partition even with unallocated space on the drive sitting there unused. For example, i have a 750gb sata system drive which is partitioned into 3 spaces, my system partitionn, my media partition and unallocated space partition, i wanted to add this 100gb of unallocated space to my system partition so that it will have some headroom and space for further programs if need be. However vista ultimate's disk management does not allow this like partition magic used to. Of course partition magic is not compatible with vista[hurray] so i need compatible software to do so, any suggestions?

Hi,

A lot of us use Paragon PM9

Paragon Partition Manager – resize partitions, partitioning software

Easeus Pro ( Home is x86 only ) version 2.1 and up work on Vista and 7 x64 as well.

Norton Partition Magic alternative: Partition Manager for Windows 2000/XP/Vista 32bit and 64bit - EASEUS Partition Master Professional Edition

Free bootable iso - burn direct to cd-do not format cd- from here:

Dual Boot using free partitioning software

Hope it helps.

Paragon Partitioner (full program) is not really compatable with Vista x64 In the Windows enviroment (due to the "restart" issue), and It requires the creation of a partitioner "boot Disk" for partitioning x64. I have already extracted the ISO boot disk image for the bootable patitioner, and provided an excellent ISO burner for burning it to disk. The program requires booting into it off the disk at restart, and is very simple to use- no problems, nice and easy. I see it is already linked above:

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/163304-dual-boot-using-free-partitioning-software.html

I used the Eausus software and it just effed my entire system drive. worst, and slowest partitioning software ive EVER used would definately not recommend it.

Perhaps this will help.

The confusion arises as follows, and this is true for ALL partition managers.

From within windows, you can not perform complex operations ( moving data) on the partition you are currently booted into, or the System partition.

That is like trying to cut down the tree you are sitting in.

You can perform complex operations from within windows on the other partitions , and simple operations (e.g. shrinking free space) on the boot and system partitions.

You should get a message along the lines of "cannot perform the operation while you are booted into this partition".

Paragon message is a little unclear, perhaps, as it says something like : cannot perform this operation while booted into "the name of the o/s you are booted into".

Might mislead you to think it is not compatible with "the name of the o/s you are currently booted into". PM9 is fully compatible with Vista x64.

Some partition managers will then restart your pc and continue the operation in their own "boot time", or pre installation environment.

This should work perfectly UNLESS it is a long operation, and Vista power management kicks in because you have it set to turn off bits of hardware within that time. (Windows 7 power management - for the betas at least, seems to have a mind of it's own).

For complex operations, it is probably better to use the bootable disc - for ALL partition managers.

That is why they have the function to create the bootable disc.

Rive has provided Dual Boot using free partitioning software.

Also, if the partitioning is slow - it is because you have asked it to move data. Could be several gb, including system files such as the MFT - obviously it takes a long time.

It has to be done carefully and in a way that complies with Vista's new partitioning rules - different from legacy systems such as XP. Shrinking free space is quick and easy of course.

Hope it helps.