Solved Problem with free space in computer manager/drive manager

kev69

New Member
Hi I'm a newby so not sure yet of how you guys work.

In a fit of stupidity I installed Ubuntu on my laptop, and went with dual boot, but it just would not see my WiFi router regardless of what I tried, so got rid of it following some online advice, using the bootrec.exe/fixmbr command, which now allows me to boot straight into Vista.

However, if you look at the pic attached you will see I have a huge lump of free space 41.64gb free space which I can't use for anything.

Is there a way for me to re-combine the 41.64gb free space with the C: drive again, the options allowed are displayed in the pic, also there is another slice of the drive 5.37gb which I'd also like to be able to use.

I'm not sure I've made my self clear on what I'd like to acheive, which is to bring both of theses slices back in to the C: drive.

On right clicking the 5.37gb drive the only option is Help, as neither of theses slices has a drive letter I don't see how I can do anything to them.

The only options I have for the 41.64gb free space seems to be to make a simple volume (not sure what that actually means) or delete the partition.

I'd like to get back to how it was before I installed Ubuntu, IE a C: & S: with no more partitions, preferably without having to re-install Vista.

Thanks in hopeful anticipation.

Kev

PS for clarity I've cut and pasted the options for each slice of the drive below the relevant slice
 

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My Computer

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Home Grown Desktop
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6600 @ 2.40GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P5B-E
    Memory
    3006 MB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS 512MB
    Sound Card
    Motherboard - SoundMax
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic VX2235wm / Dell 17" Generic PnP Anolog
    Screen Resolution
    1680 x 1050 x 4294967296 colors / 1024 x 768
    Hard Drives
    3 x ST3250620AS 250GB SATA IDE
    1 x WDC WD1200JD-00GBB0 120 GB SATA IDE
    PSU
    Enerrmax 535W All-in-one SLI 20/24+6+
    Case
    Antec Sonata
    Cooling
    Antec 12cm SmartCool
    Keyboard
    Logitech LX710
    Mouse
    Logitech MX100 Laser
    Internet Speed
    Bell Canada DSL 12MBps (supposedly)
    Other Info
    2 x HP Pavilion 9700v Laptops
OK I've downloaded it, but I'm no better off.

EPM now sees the free/unallocated space as a logical drive, see pic 1 I now have the options to create a new drive (logical or primary) but not what I want to do.

Pic 2 is what's on the small 5.37gb partition, and I don't know if I can recover the space back into C:

If I right click C: I get the option to resize or move.


The other option is to run the partition recovery wizard, which I did last night, and got pic 3 which just made me more confused.

I realise this is a powerful tool, and could ruin a lot of work, I do have most stuff backed up, but not everything, so I want to proceed with caution, I've looked at the help files but the language used is not familiar and confuses me a bit.

I'll not do anything else until I get a little more help.:confused:

Thanks Kev
 

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My Computer

Partition Recovery Wizard is for attempting to recover lost data. That's not what you want.

The 5.37GB partition is your Recovery partition; it's normally hidden, so doesn't appear in Explorer. Don't know what computer you have, but I assume it's always been there and has nothing to do with Ubuntu. I trust you've made Recovery Disks, though, to be safe. There's no reason to do anything with it.

I have no idea what the S partition is, but it's less than 2GB, so wouldn't worry about it.

I'd leave both of these alone.

All you really need to do is use EPM to resize the C partition so that it expands to use the unallocated space.

Click on your C partition, click on Resize/move partition, change the Unallocated Space After to 0, click on OK, and then on Apply.

That's it.

Ed
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Home Grown Desktop
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6600 @ 2.40GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P5B-E
    Memory
    3006 MB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS 512MB
    Sound Card
    Motherboard - SoundMax
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic VX2235wm / Dell 17" Generic PnP Anolog
    Screen Resolution
    1680 x 1050 x 4294967296 colors / 1024 x 768
    Hard Drives
    3 x ST3250620AS 250GB SATA IDE
    1 x WDC WD1200JD-00GBB0 120 GB SATA IDE
    PSU
    Enerrmax 535W All-in-one SLI 20/24+6+
    Case
    Antec Sonata
    Cooling
    Antec 12cm SmartCool
    Keyboard
    Logitech LX710
    Mouse
    Logitech MX100 Laser
    Internet Speed
    Bell Canada DSL 12MBps (supposedly)
    Other Info
    2 x HP Pavilion 9700v Laptops
Thanks Ed,

Before starting this exercise, all I had drive wise was C: and S:

The 5 gb wasn't there so Ubuntu must have done that, and also the other big lump.

I'm not sure if the advice will be that same in light of this info, see Laptop spec in pic below, in case that makes any difference to you.

Thanks for your patience so far Ed, It must be awful having to take me by the hand, but it is appreciated.

I'm away this weekend so I won't see any replies until late Sunday.

Kev
 

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Sorry, Kev, but I think you're wrong.

Advent laptops come with the Recovery files in a hidden partition, and that's what you're looking at with that 5GB one. You have a System Recovery folder\program on your Start Menu, right? The Recovery partition is what it uses to restore your system and/or programs.

Previous post stands.

Ed
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Home Grown Desktop
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6600 @ 2.40GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P5B-E
    Memory
    3006 MB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS 512MB
    Sound Card
    Motherboard - SoundMax
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic VX2235wm / Dell 17" Generic PnP Anolog
    Screen Resolution
    1680 x 1050 x 4294967296 colors / 1024 x 768
    Hard Drives
    3 x ST3250620AS 250GB SATA IDE
    1 x WDC WD1200JD-00GBB0 120 GB SATA IDE
    PSU
    Enerrmax 535W All-in-one SLI 20/24+6+
    Case
    Antec Sonata
    Cooling
    Antec 12cm SmartCool
    Keyboard
    Logitech LX710
    Mouse
    Logitech MX100 Laser
    Internet Speed
    Bell Canada DSL 12MBps (supposedly)
    Other Info
    2 x HP Pavilion 9700v Laptops
Thinking a bit laterally then Ed, I suppose before I had these probs, the recovery partition would have been hidden when I tried to look at a flash memory stick in Explorer then, and now it's exposed due to having to go deeper into the drive using a different program.

Just checked for my own curiosity, explorer doesn't see the 5gb (as it's not an allocated volume I suppose) hence me thinking there was a just a C: & S:.

I'll get there in the end Ed.

I'll now attempt your last reccomendation.

Kev.
 

My Computer

Hi me again, (bad penny)

After doing as you suggested Ed, including a re-boot, the drive seems to be pretty much the same as before, showing only signs of usage in the amount of space used versus unused, as the pics are a few days apart.

The pic below shows before at the bottom and after above attempting to re-size the partition, I've also included a pic of the resize window in case it gives any clues as to why it didn't work, excluding any errors due to the nut on the keyboard. :confused:

Kev
 

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Job done Ed, I'm on a Motorhome forum, and I mentioned the problem last week, someone cleverer than me said, click resize, and just drag the bar to the right as fas as possible and click OK, I did, it worked, life is better again, the sun is shining, birds are singing. :D:)

The pic is after I tried the above so the bar was where the yellow highlight is and the arrow is pointing.

On looking at the screen it does say "Enter the new partition size", seems like a case of RTFM.

Thanks for your help Ed, I'll leave Ubuntu in it's case I think.

Kev.
 

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OH dear,

I spoke too soon, I didn't realise I had to click apply, when I did, I got "some errors occurred" and it didn't complete, so I'm stuck now as to which way to go. :(:(:(

Would scandisk or similar sort it out, or would it just not see the unallocated portion.

Kev.
 

My Computer

Go to the folder where you installed the Easus Partitition Manager. In the \bin folder, there should be a file called EPMLOG.log. Upload it.

Ed
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Home Grown Desktop
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6600 @ 2.40GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P5B-E
    Memory
    3006 MB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS 512MB
    Sound Card
    Motherboard - SoundMax
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic VX2235wm / Dell 17" Generic PnP Anolog
    Screen Resolution
    1680 x 1050 x 4294967296 colors / 1024 x 768
    Hard Drives
    3 x ST3250620AS 250GB SATA IDE
    1 x WDC WD1200JD-00GBB0 120 GB SATA IDE
    PSU
    Enerrmax 535W All-in-one SLI 20/24+6+
    Case
    Antec Sonata
    Cooling
    Antec 12cm SmartCool
    Keyboard
    Logitech LX710
    Mouse
    Logitech MX100 Laser
    Internet Speed
    Bell Canada DSL 12MBps (supposedly)
    Other Info
    2 x HP Pavilion 9700v Laptops
Hi Ed,

Please find EPMLOG.txt attached, I just had a look at it, and apart from a few words it's meaningless to me.

As it mentioned error, I ran chkdsk last night but it found no problems.

I've just been looking at Vistas disc management facility (right click my computer) it gives me the option to either delete the partition, or create a new simple volume, but the help doesn't tell me if it would help me to get back to where I was pre Ubuntu.

Kev
 

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My Computer

Ahhh... Kevin, Kevin, Kevin...

What the hell were you doing screwing around with ubuntu, anyway?

First of all, my original post about Easus Partition Manager said:

Click on your C partition, click on Resize/move partition, change the Unallocated Space After to 0, click on OK, and then on Apply.

You don't need to drag the size bar; it should be changed after you change the Unallocated Space After value.

I suspect the problem now is that the system is still booting from the ubuntu-created partition, instead of from the MBR.

The simplest way to correct this is by running a Startup Repair, see http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/194765-system-recovery-options.html

If it doesn't find and fix the boot record, in the System Recovery Options dialog box, click Command Prompt.

Type in the following, exactly as shown, one line at a time, pressing enter after each:

bcdedit /export C:\BCD_Backup
c:
cd bootattrib bcd -s -h -r
ren c:\boot\bcd bcd.old
bootrec /RebuildBcd
Exit

Remove the CD/DVD and restart your computer.

Run Easus Partition Manager again as instructed.

Let us know what happens (in detail if there are further problems).

Ed



 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Home Grown Desktop
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6600 @ 2.40GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P5B-E
    Memory
    3006 MB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS 512MB
    Sound Card
    Motherboard - SoundMax
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic VX2235wm / Dell 17" Generic PnP Anolog
    Screen Resolution
    1680 x 1050 x 4294967296 colors / 1024 x 768
    Hard Drives
    3 x ST3250620AS 250GB SATA IDE
    1 x WDC WD1200JD-00GBB0 120 GB SATA IDE
    PSU
    Enerrmax 535W All-in-one SLI 20/24+6+
    Case
    Antec Sonata
    Cooling
    Antec 12cm SmartCool
    Keyboard
    Logitech LX710
    Mouse
    Logitech MX100 Laser
    Internet Speed
    Bell Canada DSL 12MBps (supposedly)
    Other Info
    2 x HP Pavilion 9700v Laptops
Oh Ed, Ed, Ed, :huh: I'll answer in order...

What the hell were you doing screwing around with ubuntu, anyway?

I wanted to have a smaller OS on the laptop in the Motorhome (RV) as it only has a 40gb drive and I can fill that when we go away with photos, yes I could use a stick, and did once but lost it so wanted something to view photos on and delete the rubbish ones, and I was informed that Ubuntu was a much smaller OS and would not fall over as easy as Vista, Someone lied :rolleyes::sarc:

First of all, my original post about Easus Partition Manager said:

*Click on your C partition, click on Resize/move partition, change the Unallocated Space After to 0, click on OK, and then on Apply.

*You don't need to drag the size bar; it should be changed after you change the Unallocated Space After value.

I did try the method you suggested and I posted a reply with the results IE non, However I didn't try again after running chkdsk, so I tried again last night, and it did do something but not sure what exactly as the partition sizes are pretty much the same, see pic of screen while running resize...

I suspect the problem now is that the system is still booting from the ubuntu-created partition, instead of from the MBR.

It may well be, but Ubuntu is no longer on the drive (hopefully) as it now empty space I ran MBR before coming onto this forum, as it would NOT boot into Vista

The simplest way to correct this is by running a Startup Repair, see http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/194765-system-recovery-options.html

If it doesn't find and fix the boot record, in the *System Recovery Options* dialog box, click *Command Prompt*.

That might be a problem as there are no discs with this laptop, as it not new to me, although it came with vista and the authentication sticker on the base has the same code as the version of Vista installed.

[quoteType in the following, exactly as shown, one line at a time, pressing enter after each:

bcdedit /export C:\BCD_Backup
c:
cd bootattrib bcd -s -h -r
ren c:\boot\bcd bcd.old
bootrec /RebuildBcd
Exit[/quote]

I tried without the CD and got the results in pic (sorry the quality is bad, I had to use my phone to take the Pic my Canon 400D couldn't focus on the screen) but it's readable

Remove the CD/DVD and restart your computer.

Run Easus Partition Manager again as instructed.

Let us know what happens (in detail if there are further problems).

Ed

Not tried for reasons mentioned above

It may appear that I know nothing about computers from what has gone before, but I used to mess around a lot in the early 90's, but not done much other than use one since then, so most of the jargon has long since leaked from this old head (60 in June) but I am enjoying trying to make my self remember it all, anyway it occurred to me that maybe my problem might not be as it seems, what I mean is the slice of my drive we're trying to get back is unallocated, so to my simple brain would there be any benefit to making it a simple volume, or even deleting it, EPM gives me the option of creating a logical or primary partition.

I've also taken some screen shots of EPMs info on the Vista partition in case it gives a clue.

Kev
 

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My Computer

Hi Kev,

*Click on your C partition, click on Resize/move partition, change the Unallocated Space After to 0, click on OK, and then on Apply.

*You don't need to drag the size bar; it should be changed after you change the Unallocated Space After value.
I did try the method you suggested and I posted a reply with the results IE non, However I didn't try again after running chkdsk, so I tried again last night, and it did do something but not sure what exactly as the partition sizes are pretty much the same, see pic of screen while running resize...
What does "IE non" mean? Yep, you did post screenshots, but they showed that you hadn't changed the Unallocated Space After to 0 (or it was taken before you did); if you'll recall, though, you forgot to click on Apply.

It may well be, but Ubuntu is no longer on the drive (hopefully) as it now empty space I ran MBR before coming onto this forum, as it would NOT boot into Vista
Please explain "I ran MBR". Are you saying the boot problem's fixed? I assume it is or you wouldn't have been able to run Partition Manager.
kev69 said:
That might be a problem as there are no discs with this laptop, as it not new to me, although it came with vista and the authentication sticker on the base has the same code as the version of Vista installed.
That's what the hidden recovery partition is all about (see Recovery and Recovery Disk FAQs - read before posting : Advent Recovery Disk Support | Advent Support). You should create recovery disks asap.
Ed said:
cd bootattrib bcd -s -h -r
This is where I screwed up. It should have been:

cd boot
attrib bcd -s -h -r
kev69 said:
I tried without the CD and got the results in pic (sorry the quality is bad, I had to use my phone to take the Pic my Canon 400D couldn't focus on the screen) but it's readable
Do you mean you ran the Command Prompt in your normal Windows system? How come you didn't use the Snipping Tool instead of a camera?
kev69 said:
Not tried for reasons mentioned above

It may appear that I know nothing about computers from what has gone before, but I used to mess around a lot in the early 90's, but not done much other than use one since then, so most of the jargon has long since leaked from this old head (60 in June) but I am enjoying trying to make my self remember it all, anyway it occurred to me that maybe my problem might not be as it seems, what I mean is the slice of my drive we're trying to get back is unallocated, so to my simple brain would there be any benefit to making it a simple volume, or even deleting it, EPM gives me the option of creating a logical or primary partition.

I've also taken some screen shots of EPMs info on the Vista partition in case it gives a clue.
I'm confused again; if you didn't try rerunning Easus Partition Manager, where'd your second and third screenshots come from?

Sure, you can create another logical partition instead, using the unallocated space, or resize C. Your choice.

If you can boot OK again, rerun the Partition Manager. Take a screenshot of the initial screen and save, then one of each of the subsequent windows until you click Apply.

If you're still having problems after it's done, please do the following:

1. Download SysInternals AutoRuns from Microsoft TechNet, run it and File > Save the output, to the same directory as the screenshots, as AutoRuns.arn (It'll take a minute or so to run).

2. Run MSInfo (Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Information), File > Export to a text file (MSInfo.txt) in the same directory.

3. Open an Administrative command prompt and type in perfmon /report; a viewer will appear (again, it'll take a minute or so). File > Save as a HTML file (PerfMon.html) in the same directory.

4. Go to the directory in Windows Explorer, press the Ctrl key and left-click on each of the screenshots, AutoRuns.arn, MSInfo.txt, and PerfMon.html so that they are high-lighted; right-click on MSInfo.txt, click on Send To, then Compressed (zipped) Folder.

5. Upload the resulting MSInfo.zip, and let me know exactly what happened.

I'm not going anywhere, so I'm up for this if you are! :D

Ed
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Home Grown Desktop
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6600 @ 2.40GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P5B-E
    Memory
    3006 MB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS 512MB
    Sound Card
    Motherboard - SoundMax
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic VX2235wm / Dell 17" Generic PnP Anolog
    Screen Resolution
    1680 x 1050 x 4294967296 colors / 1024 x 768
    Hard Drives
    3 x ST3250620AS 250GB SATA IDE
    1 x WDC WD1200JD-00GBB0 120 GB SATA IDE
    PSU
    Enerrmax 535W All-in-one SLI 20/24+6+
    Case
    Antec Sonata
    Cooling
    Antec 12cm SmartCool
    Keyboard
    Logitech LX710
    Mouse
    Logitech MX100 Laser
    Internet Speed
    Bell Canada DSL 12MBps (supposedly)
    Other Info
    2 x HP Pavilion 9700v Laptops
I don't have a boot problem Ed, I turn on and it goes straight into Vista, as for using the snip tool, I forced a shut down and re-booted into safe mode command prompt, so it wasn't available but hopefully the phone camera shot was discernible enough to make it out.

as for the rest it's getting a bit out of hand and confusing, so shall we ignore all previous posts and pictures and go from this reply forward, I don't think we'll be losing much, as the situation hasn't changed at my end.

I'm not sure how to "Open an Administrative command prompt" as I've never tried to do it, I'll look it up on Messrs Google site.



Still booting fine so I shall do my best to follow your instructions to the letter, it's a shame we're not in the same time zone, we'd have cracked it by now :)
 

My Computer

I've stopped Ed, as things are different to before.

Opening screen dump is as before but with slight size changes due to using PC.

The other "resize" screen dump is before doing anything at all, and as you can see the "unallocated space after" is already at 0.0

It looks like EPM wants me to changed the "unallocated space before figure" I'm not sure what would be correct, but the number 141149.2 appears in the "partition size" line.
 

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My Computer

OK, Kev, let's work from here.

The last time you ran EPM (Easus Partition Manager), you apparently moved the C partition to the end of the drive, but didn't resize it, so now the unallocated space is ahead of the partition instead of after it.

You now have the option of either resizing it, or creating a new logical partition in the unallocated space.

Personally, I'd create a new partition from the unallocated space (D or E depending on what drive letter your DVD drive already has). I'd use that for all data files, so that, if you ever have a problem with the C partition and have to reinstall the OS, they're isolated. I'd also install all third-party software on that drive for the same reason. You might want to move any data or third-party software that's now on the C drive to your new partition, but keep in mind that, if you do, you'll need to uninstall and reinstall the software, not just move it, so that the registry gets updated. In the case of the data, you'll need to change any program settings that use it to point to the new location.

Totally your preference.

If you decide to resize it, either drag the left-hand bar to the beginning of the unallocated space, or just change the Unallocated Space Before to 0. Click OK and don't forget to click on Apply.

One further consideration; if you do decide to create a new partition and move your data/programs, you're going to be left with way too much unused space in C for just the OS. You can always resize it (down) and your new one (up), but that'll be much simpler if the new one is after the C partition. So, I'd first move it back to the beginning of the unallocated space before creating the new one.

Hope you don't find this too confusing. Any questions, fire away.

Ed
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Home Grown Desktop
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6600 @ 2.40GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P5B-E
    Memory
    3006 MB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS 512MB
    Sound Card
    Motherboard - SoundMax
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic VX2235wm / Dell 17" Generic PnP Anolog
    Screen Resolution
    1680 x 1050 x 4294967296 colors / 1024 x 768
    Hard Drives
    3 x ST3250620AS 250GB SATA IDE
    1 x WDC WD1200JD-00GBB0 120 GB SATA IDE
    PSU
    Enerrmax 535W All-in-one SLI 20/24+6+
    Case
    Antec Sonata
    Cooling
    Antec 12cm SmartCool
    Keyboard
    Logitech LX710
    Mouse
    Logitech MX100 Laser
    Internet Speed
    Bell Canada DSL 12MBps (supposedly)
    Other Info
    2 x HP Pavilion 9700v Laptops
I have no idea how I managed to screw that up, :confused: but I've just had another look and of course you're spot on correct :p:p :).

I've attached a snip of the screen just before I close down the net, click OK, and OH yeah click apply, god only knows how long it will take this time, but at least I did a backup to an external drive so no real worries of losing anything important.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Kev.
 

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