Vista Disk Management Partition Problem

This is a simple basic problem the uninitiated have creating partitions;

 

You currently have:

 

1. 86MB Simple Basic-ESIA configuration.( even though it is hidden it is still a primary partition. )

2. 10GB Simple basic NTFS primary partition.

3. 62.35GB simple basic NTFS , primary boot.

4. 2Gb Simple basic Primary Partition.

 

This is a total of 4 Primary Partitions. The Total allowed primary partitions is 4, this is by hard disk design specifications. That is why you cannot create a new primary partition, or even an Extended Partition. The only way is to delete one of the four primary partitions you already have.

 

 

pcgeek11

pcgeek11,

    The 10GB partition is the recovery partition I believe. I have 3 and do not have media direct since I have desktop. My breakdown is

1. utility (O)

2. OS (C)

3. recovery 10GB (D)

This is how it's listed in disk management on my system. The 2GB is probably the media direct

kpo127,

 

Thanks. I was just guessing about what each was used for, but the problem is the same  Only 4 Primary Partitions are allowed. In order to create a new one, one of the existing partitions will have to be deleted.

 

pcgeek11

Hi Pcgeek11 and all,

 

Thank you for your help.

 

I think you are right that 4 partitions limitation is the problem.

FYI, after I check my laptop,

 

yes, the basic-SEIA hidden drive keeps the diagnostic utilities

yes, the 2G hidden drive keeps the OS image restore files.

the 10 G visible drive keeps the file for "recovery".

 

I don't know what is there in the 10G drive to recover.  I'll check further today.

 

I am thinking to use this 10G visible drive as my data/doc drive by shrinking the 62.35G C drive and then expanding the 10G visible recovery drive.  Seems to me this is the only option left.

I'll try it tonight. If it is not a good idea please let me know in this post.

Thank you again.

 

Yul

 

Hi all,

This is my status report and my further questions.

To refresh your memory previously the 4 partitions on my E1705 is this, in the order shown on disk manager:

1. 47MB Simple Basic-ESIA configuration. Diagnostics Partition. Invisible.

2. 10GB Simple basic NTFS primary partition. D drive -Recovery/OS Image restore Partition. Visible

3. 62.35GB simple basic NTFS, primary boot. C drive - OS Boot Partition. Visible.

4. 2GB Simple basic Primary Partition. Media Direct Partition, invisible.

First try:

Goal: use D drive as my normal data/docs drive for the purpose of easy backup and isolated for OS C drive. Action: Shrink C drive to free up 30 G intended for my data/doc. Then expand the visible D drive to use that 30G unallocated space.

Result: This method fails because the “extend” option for D drive is grey out.

Second try:

Goal: use drive “4” as my normal data/docs drive.

Action: delete 2G Media Direct partition. Format the 30G unallocated space and call it “F” drive.

Result: it works.

This is what I have now:

1. 47MB Simple Basic-ESIA configuration. Diagnostics Partition. Invisible.

2. 10GB Simple basic NTFS primary partition. D drive -Recovery/OS Image restore Partition. Visible

3. 35GB simple basic NTFS, primary boot. C drive - OS Boot Partition. Visible.

4. 30GB Simple basic *LOGICAL* Partition. F drive – personal data. Visible.

 

Below are my new questions:

Q1. Why is it that I can’t expand D drive to use that 30G unallocated space?  Is it because the C partition is in between D and the unallocated space, as shown on the disk manager chart?

Q2. Since D drive is visible is it advisible to use it as a normal data/doc drive? Or shrink it a bit and move the unallocated space to C drive? The Recovery files don’t take up the entire 10G space. There are 6.4G unused.

Q3. Now that I don’t have a partition for Media Direct I am thinking to do the following to regain its function. The purposes of this are:

A, eliminate one partition so that I can create one for Media Direct since it is limited to 4 partitions.  To see if I can gain back the Media Direct function I loss.

B, to use the 6.4G unused space in the D drive efficiently. 

- move the contents in D drive to the new F drive, 

- delete D partition

- let C or F drive to use the unallocated space. Basically merge D and F drive.

-shrink F drive by 2G.

-create a partition with that 2G unallocated space for Media Direct.

The question is the F drive is currently a *logical* partition, it is not bootable. If I move the contents from D to F and then in the event C drive fails and I need to use the function of Recovery files in F drive will they function as then intended?

Q4. Supposed there is no problem with what I plan in Q3, what is the best way to create the 4th partition for Media Direct and make it function correctly?  I have all the CD/DVDs come with the systems.  Note that it has 2G of unallocated space in Q3 above.  A step by step procedure will be very helpful, such as hit F? key, and then insert Media Direct Reinstallation CD or Repair CD etc.  I read on the internet that Reinstallation CD and Repair CD are two different things. I am not sure which one I should use.

Thank you all in advance.

Yulhuang

Q1. Why is it that I can’t expand D drive to use that 30G unallocated space?  Is it because the C partition is in between D and the unallocated space, as shown on the disk manager chart?

Yes, This is beyond the capabilities of the built in partitioning manager. You could do it with a Third Party Vista Compatible Partition Manager.

Q2. Since D drive is visible is it advisible to use it as a normal data/doc drive? Or shrink it a bit and move the unallocated space to C drive? The Recovery files don’t take up the entire 10G space. There are 6.4G unused.

How many files etc are you planning on storing on this drive over the long run. This is a personal choice you will have to make yourself.

Q3.

Dude yiou are stressing and going in circles. You drive partitions are your own.I really don't see the need! The only useful partition you have besides the Boot Partition is the Media Direct one and then only if you are using it.

I don't have a Media partition or diagnostics or a recovery. I have one large drive there are no advantages to all of these partitions other than giving you a headach. That is why they have files and folders to organise your data, which is much better and a lot less to stress over.

1.) Organise your data etc using the folder structure.

2.) Make or get a USB external hard disk for back-up and recovery as having your back-up and recovery as part of the hard disk you are backing up is useless. When that single disk crashes... Back-ups will be gone. Start over.

Good luck.

pcgeek11

Pcgeek11,

 

I hear you and I totally agree with you that an external HDD for back up is my best solution.

 

Thank you.