How can I partition my hard drive without formatting the whole disk?

Question

I have an old 40GB NTFS-formatted hard drive, and I want to install a dual-booted Linux setup. I think it would be a BIG pain in the neck to have to uninstall and reinstall everything.

Is there any (free) way to create another partition on my XP computer without having to reinstall my OS?

Answer 1

There are a few utilities available for free that can do what you want. Honestly I don't trust them as well as I trust Partition Magic, but I've used one with a high degree of success.

Partition Logic. Check the source section for a link to the web site.

I do admit there is a drive in my oldest laptop that Partition Logic would not work with at all, it didn't create any problems, just wouldn't work. Hopefully you won't have problems.

Good Luck with it!

Answer 2

I agree that would be a pain to reinstall everything, but wouldn't it be an even bigger pain if you found a "Free" program that ended up completely destroying your existing data and programs?

I wouldn't trust a free program when it comes to managing partitions, especially if you expect it to maintain the existing data on your existing partition. It's too easy for things to go wrong, and for it to accidentally reformat your entire drive.

I think it's worth spending $30 or $40 on a reliable program like Partition Commander or Disk Director, which have proven history with this kind of thing.

There's an article below that compares both of these programs, and includes some coupon codes so at least you won't be paying full price.

Answer 3

Why don't you just setup Linux in a Virtual Machine using VMWare or Virtual PC. No need to partition/repartition and you can run BOTH Windows and Linux at the SAME TIME.

Answer 4

Most Linux Distros use Qparted to do this without destroying your Windoze partition. Yup, it's free.

Just make sure you back up all your personal data first and tell Linux to install as dual-boot.

Answer 5

If you fit the old drive you can load Linux to it, this will automatically offer to create correct partitions on the disk. Linux can also re-size your original partition if that is your choice.

Answer 6

Go to start, click control panel, click administrative tools, then click on Computer management.

Go to Disk Management.

Find your hard drive on the list, then look below, if you see no Unallocated space, then you cannot create a new partition without formatting.

If there is unallocated space, that's your new partition waiting for you

Note: Unallocated space will have a black bar, space in use will have a blue bar.

Answer 7

You need a "non-destructive" partition manager. I would suggest Partition Magic or Acronis Disk Director. However, keeping with free, I would suggest GParted. It is free and open source. What ever you choose make sure it is non-destructive.

http://gparted.sourceforge.net/

http://www.symantec.com/norton/products/overview.jsp?pcid=sp&pvid=pm80

http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/diskdirector/

Answer 8

Right click on my computer then click on manage then disk management when the menu opens it will show you the partition right click on the partition bar then click on shrink volume after the shrink is over you have UN allocated space right click on the UN allocated space then click crate partition after you create partition right click on it and format it and you are done.
NOTE: DO NOT FORMAT C: PARTITION BY MISTAKE FORMAT THE PARTITION YOU CREATED.

Answer 9

You need some kind of boot cd. Or recovery cd that has an operating system on it.

Answer 10

read this....
http://www.help2go.com/Tutorials/Computer_Basics/How_to_Repartition_Hard_Drive_without_Reformatting.html