[Formula7]

I used the Windows 7 partition tool to unlock the rest of my hard drive. The space is labeled as F with the original partition as C. Is there anyway I can merge the two with the same tool?

If not, are there any partition tools out there that can for free? I don't feel like paying $40 for a partition manager and pretty much never use it after this...

 

[Dobbie]

I would believe you can, only tricky thing is you most likely would have to clear the F partition and delete it and then you should be able to use the extend option to that now free unpartitioned space to the C. Hope this helps

 

[Dilyn]

With the Administrative Tools Disk Manager, just right click the partition and delete it. Then right click the partition you wanna make bigger, and then extend the volume.

 

[Formula7]

Awesome! Thanks guys!

My whole HDD is now available in one space!

 

[Dobbie]

NP, glad to help out.

 

[WeAreNotAlone]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Formula7 Awesome! Thanks guys! My whole HDD is now available in one space!

Are you using this drive for OS, and DATA?

DATA of any "value" should always be keep separate from the OS.
Not doing so is like storing irreplaceable items from your great-great-great-great grandmother/father in a room that's likely to catch fire, or flood on a regular basis.

If you are using the drive for OS, and DATA, you DON"T want everything on (1) partition.

Example drive partitioning strategy.
750gb drive- split into (2) partitions.

C:\\WIN_7_x64 = *60gb (Win7 needs 25gb)- Reason for *60gb is you want room for hibernation, restore points, apps and to end up with about 30% free space so defrag runs properly, MFT does not fragment.
*If you have allot of large apps (games) you can increase size accordingly OR install those apps to DATA partition if you want to keep "image" (backup of OS partition) files small.

D\\DATA_Remainder of drive (about 670gb). DATA and images of OS are stored here.
Allows for FAST restoration of C:\\OS partition via "Image" files (Backups of OS).
Keeps DATA away from OS files. (Off OS partition)
When doing a "restore" (or re-install) of OS... DATA FILES ARE SAFE.

TIP: When creating a OS partition you should shoot for a small OS partition as it allows for SMALL image files that the WIN_7 /Vista /or 3rd party the imaging program creates.
("Image" is a "Picture of the HD, It's like taking a picture of a room with 100,000 items in it, upon "restoring" the image everything in the pic is put back EXACTLY in the same place.)

TIP: When installing programs the default drive app "install to" is C:\\ , If you are desiring to install apps to D:\\ partition (which allows for small image files of the OS partition) Always when you are installing programs chose "Advanced", or "Custom" when doing a install. It will give you a choice on where you want app installed for 99.99% of apps out there, PLUS allows for selecting things you may NOT want installed by default,

For programs already installed, 99.99% of apps allow you to chose where you want DATA the program generates saved to. (Look under Options, Configuration settings, etc.)
It is a very simple matter on most apps to change where you want YOUR DATA SAVED TO.

TIP: The above is done to keep DATA files off the OS partition as the OS partition will at some point become infected, not boot, become unstable requiring a re-install of the OS.

If you keep your DATA separate the risk of losing DATA is GREATLY reduced.

This said you should always BACK-UP CRITICAL DATA to DVD, a external hard drive.

TIP: Always LABEL YOUR PARTITIONS.

TIP: Reassign DVD drive as Z in disk management.

.

 

[Formula7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by WeAreNotAlone Are you using this drive for OS, and DATA? DATA of any "value" should always be keep separate from the OS. Not doing so is like storing irreplaceable items from your great-great-great-great grandmother/father in a room that's likely to catch fire, or flood on a regular basis. If you are using the drive for OS, and DATA, you don't want everything on (1) partition. Example drive partitioning strategy. 750gb drive- split into (2) partitions. C:\\WIN_7_x64 = *60gb (Win7 needs 25gb)- Reason for *60gb is you want room for hibernation, restore points, apps and to end up with about 30% free space so defrag runs properly, MFT does not fragment. *If you have allot of large apps (games) you can increase size accordingly or install those to DATA partition. D\\DATA_Remainder of drive (about 670gb). DATA and images of OS are stored here. Allows for FAST restoration of C:\\OS partition via "Image" files (Backups of OS). Keeps DATA away from OS files. TIP: When creating a OS partition you should shoot for a small OS partition as it allows for SMALL image files that the WIN_7 /Vista /or 3rd party imaging program creates. .

How simple/difficult is this? Is there some sort of guide? How would I access D\\ from, say, the start menu? Would I just have to go into the drive from the My Computer folder?

 

[Dilyn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Formula7 How simple/difficult is this? Is there some sort of guide? How would I access D\\ from, say, the start menu? Would I just have to go into the drive from the My Computer folder?

Open My computer.
Select the drive (the D drive if that's what you named the partition in the Disk Mananger).
????
Profit.

 

[Sethy666]

Or you could use EASUS partition magic and go wild. I love this program (and its free)