Partitioning and renaming drives

Question

I just received my new XPS M1730 running Windows Vista which is configured like that: (I dont know if thats relevant but I have 2 HD in RAID 0 config)..

Disk 0 ::: [71 MB] ----- [RECOVERY D: 10GB NTFS] ----- [OS C: 453GB NTFS] ----- [2.5GB]

CD-ROM - DVD E:

Now, before installing any other program beside those that came with the Dell factory installation (which is already many programs...) I'd like to create one or two partitions into the C: and name them D: and E: for ease of use. I dont want them to be renamed F: and G: ... I would then have to rename the recovery drive and the CD-ROM drive to F: and G: respectively. But can I simply rename the recovery drive and the CD-ROM drive without problem? Will the programs that came with Dell factory installation still work? And more importantly, will I still be able to use the recovery drive in case I would need to go back to factory installation state?

And also, is it ok to do all that partioning using the Disk Management of Windows Vista or should I use a program like Acronis Disk Director Suite?

Thanks!

Jackkicker

Message Edited by Jackkicker on 03-07-2008 11:13 AM

Jackkicker · Answer

@ejn63 wrote:
You cannot add a partition without deleting one of the existing ones, which may as well be the recovery partition, since it will be useless once you partition and begin using the system.

You are sure that I cannot add a partition without deleting and existing one??? I cannot simply shrink the C: partition and and create new ones using the new unallocated space??

And doesnt the recovery partition help me restore the system in case I need to reinstall windows without having to worry about the drivers for the RAID 0 configuration and everything?

ejn63 · Answer

You cannot add a partition without deleting one of the existing ones, which may as well be the recovery partition, since it will be useless once you partition and begin using the system.

ejn63 · Answer

Your drive will have four primary partitions, which is the maximum. You will need to remove one to add another.

Given that you are going to be using the inherently dangerous and unstable RAID 0, buy yourself an external drive and a copy of Acronis True Image and keep backups - you double your chance of data loss from drive failure with RAID 0 and being without backup on such a system is not a good idea.

s3dbw · Answer

I had a similar issue myself, see http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_harddrive&thread.id=69355,

However I found that Acronis Disk Director allowed me to create additional partitions within the single large partition without any problems.

regards

way2ashish · Answer

HI i looked out for the software Acronis Disk Director . But is it a freeware and will it be able to partition my harddisk without loosing data...   PLz let me know

s3dbw · Answer

Unfortunately its not freeware, but yes it will partition without loss of data regards

Jackkicker · Answer

@s3dbw wrote:
I had a similar issue myself, see http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_harddrive&thread.id=69355,

However I found that Acronis Disk Director allowed me to create additional partitions within the single large partition without any problems.

regards

Thanks s3dbw I'll try with Acronis Disk Director.

BTW, did you try to rename the recovery partition and the DVD-ROM to another letter or did you divide your C: partition into something like C:, F: and G:?

s3dbw · Answer

I renamed the drives sequentially, ie my C partition became C, D & E, Recovery partition F and the DVD Drive G. All works fine. regards

Storage, Drives & Media

Partitioning and renaming drives

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