Problem with partitions. Need help guys.

[wizardcia]

I have a problem with my Hard Drive and all i want to ask is :
If i make a new partition, and store all my media there, will the files be deleted after I format my Hard Drive?
Because i get some 0 unallocated hard drive spaces which i cant delete.

 

[SCSIraidGURU]

You can't create a partition, if you don't have available unallocated space. Can you add another hard drive, either internal or external? If external, I suggest firewire over USB 2.

 

[wizardcia]

What do you mean i cant create a partition?
I can shrink my main HDD about 40GBs and store data there, but will they be lost if I format the entire HDD?
And about that 0 unallocated drive: They are only seen when i try to install a fresh copy of windows, though through Computer Manager i cant. Now you may ask me why the hell would i want to do this?!. Simply because i cant install older versions of Windows.

 

[SCSIraidGURU]

Backup first to an external source. You are going to shrink your C: drive to 40GB.
I would do this first and verify it reboots properly. Then check your disk space.

Why not just leave the hard drive as one partition and install your apps and data to this? Two partitions on a single hard drive won't improve performance. It can cause it to slow because of disk thrashing, you will be moving the drive head back and forth between the partitions.

 

[wizardcia]

Thats why I want to shrink it, because i dont have any external source, and i really need to format my HDD completely.
And i am asking you because the last time i completely formated my HDD i had a partition which was not touched at all, (it was empty from the begining, and empty after format) and remained that way. So i need your approval.

 

[SCSIraidGURU]

Why do you need to format the drive? What is wrong? Did you try error checking and defragmenting it?

 

[wizardcia]

Let me show you.
I restarted my pc with Vista disk in DVD recorder and choosed where to install Windows... Here 's what i get.
This is when i boot from disk...
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/4574/13062007003ta4.jpg

And that is what i get from manager.
http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/1940/managerfx6.jpg

I already Googled it twice.
There is no help even from the web.

 

[SCSIraidGURU]

That is very strange indeed. You have two primary partitions. I would get an external drive and backup your data. Remove both partitions and start over.

 

[wizardcia]

Yes... thats why I ask you superior opinion.... will my data be erased if i format the Drive while having Data on a partition?
That was the question from the beggining.

 

[wizardcia]

Any Expert Idea of how to get rid of it? Please guys its really important....
Ow and BTWSCSIraidGURU i dont have any external source nor can i buy one sinse nearest shop is 540Kms away...
I can only rely on DVDs but we are talking about 140Gb data. So make your judge...

 

[SCSIraidGURU]

Can you barrow a drive? Do you have another computer to move your data to?

 

[f_vo]

hi Wizard, i just join back in here. Yes of course if you format your HDD, everything will be lost.

If you have 2 partitions (as should), then you can format the one not having your OS on. I myself have 4 partitions.

If you have 2 partitions, keep your "not-everyday" used stuff on the second one. The one that is created on the inner side, the slower partition. That way your OS and daily used stuff is on the outside of the disk, the faster part of the disk.

Another advantage is: defrag takes only a few minutes, since there is less to defrag. It is a rule of tumb that the OS partition is almost the only partition to defrag. Your data does not need defragging every week.

Another advantage of having multiple partitions, if your OS must be reinstalled, the rest of your data stays intact.

But if you can afford it, having your OS on one disk, data on the other(s) is nice.

François

 

[wizardcia]

SCSIraidGURU, NO. I DONT HAVE ANY. thats my problem and thats why I am asking.
If I had friends with external or internal storage source that overcomes 140GB each I would did that. BUT I DONT.
f_vo Have you seen the pictures I uploaded.? (go to page 1). That exactly is my problem . And I recently formated the 2nd partition, It didnt touched the main, and I ask you people for 5th time....
IF I FORMAT MY DRIVE (THE C:/ one) WILL EVERYTHING BE DELETE FROM BOTH PARTITIONS OR JUST THE ONE I SELECTED TO FORMAT?

 

[acdcfan]

Yes... thats why I ask you superior opinion.... will my data be erased if i format the Drive while having Data on a partition?
That was the question from the beggining.

if you format whole hard drive and erase all partitions you will lose all your data.
but if you format a particular partition, and leave others as they are then only data on that partition will be lost
hope this is clear enough

 

[SCSIraidGURU]

You can order a new external drive over the internet for delivery to you.

 

[johngalt]

Ummm, using Windows Disk Manager, merge the unallocated space at the end with the second partition. That should get rid of most of the unallocated spots you're seeing from the installer.

 

[SCSIraidGURU]

My concern is that merging the partitions could fail and you could lose your data. I would not attempt it without a backup in some form.

 

[wizardcia]

acdcfan Thanks, thats what i was wating for. I hope you know.
johngalt I can't... On the black "partition" i can only access properties and there's not even the shrink or delete option available.
f_vo.... by the meaning of format i mean completely delete it, (because the partition comes out of that drive), and install a fresh copy of Vista there (on C: , which also has a partition the D:/)....and if you cant see the picture and everyone else can, then its your problem .
One last question if I Format the C: (main drive) I get rid of these "0 unallocated spaces"??

For Christ Sake f_vo...
they are on page 1... and that is my signature...
Anyway i get the links for you...
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/4574/13062007003ta4.jpg or press HERE
http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/1940/managerfx6.jpg or press HERE
So hard to understand?

 

[SCSIraidGURU]

The best method is backup your data to an external source, remove the partitions, and start with a clean install.

 

[dmex]

The Gparted LiveCD makes a damm good partition manager for moving/resizing/deleting/formatting any partiton from Windows/Linux or OSX on any hard-drive...

Steven