control panel -> administrative tools -> computer management -> storage -> disk management

from there it's a snap

*disclaimer - you will not place a bounty on my head if you delete something important, i've just told you how to access the built in tool in XP and not how to use it *

there are 'pro' partition tools that can merge partitions and other advanced things, but the only one i can think of off the top of my head is partition magic.

P.S. anybody have an idea what kind of performance net-gain/loss comes from running programs off a 30mb/s ata drive while keeping the system and page files on two separate(and very small) 19mb/s ata drives?

Cheers, I will take a look later as I am on my work P.C. now. All important stuff is on my E drive like pictures and music so even if I had to reformat the C it would not be the end of the world, plus all of my software is legit and I have original disks to hand so no issue with starting afresh.

I suppose a bit of background would not hurt now:

The original reason for creating the F was that I could not access C after a program seemed to incorrectly delete from the system and left the machine haninging when I tried to log back in. A Windows warning was appearing which pertained to my Linksys software. I no longer use wireless broadband so did not need this,instead of repairing the fauld diagnosed by Windows I went to remove the Linksys software. It asked for the disk to be inserted which was not ready to hand and I cancelled the removal. When I later tried to shut down it hung. I checked out programs and the Linksys software was gone from those listed in control panel even though I had not actually deleted but rather had cancelled the action. Also the files were still visible on Explore. After that I had to do the nasty task of shutting down from the power button and it would not log on again.

I did try a re-install of Linksys in safe mode and also a system restore but neither helped. Eventually I decided to install XP and start afresh. For some reason once I did that I was able to log back into my C partition again and now no longer need to transfer to F. There does not seem to be a reason why the fresh install onto F would solve the problem as I am not using it on boot up to access C. After getting access I installed and uninstalled the Linksys software to avoid a repeat and now want to delete F primarily to get rid of unwanted baggage but also to make sure that my C drive is not running off the second install of XP.

Told you it was daft.

Question: Cold_Void or anyone else who may know, not that I will hang you if this melts my P.C. Just looking at the suggested method of removing the partition using XP. Since the second (F) partition has XP installed on it am I likely to uninstall elements of the 1st (C).

This solution looks okay for a removing a partition with other data stored, just not sure if I use XP to delete XP. That make sense or should I just shut up now?

Okay, done. First deleted the logic and then the partition however the partition itself still shows as an empty box on the Disk Management screen. It does not appear when I look in My Computer. The problem is that on start up I am still given an option as to which OS I require. The default is the F partition which is now empty. Nothing happens if I allow it to try but unless I sit beside the pc during the boot sequence and select my "C" it will default to the now empty partition.

So, how do I get rid of all trace of the empty partition and stop the pc from trying to access it during start?

Sorry 'bout this by the way.

I'll contact you over the secure channel Swiss.

Thanks Esqui!

For all intents and purposes that is sorted. The partition still exists but is empty and the default on start up has been changed to the C Partition with zero second delay. It is taking about 3.8 GB which I will free up when I kill it all together but that is not a problem for Abacus ii.(2 drives, one for the OS with 250GB {C} and the "back up" for pics and muzak with 320GB {E})

Just need to figure how to get rid of an "empty" partitoin with Master Boot Record Volume. That make sense?

Of course, your services may prove to be valuable in the on going war in Esquaklanistan. I have friends in influential places.

EDIT: I reckon Taw is going to be upset that he missed this. Oh the ammo he would have on me now.



Edited by - Druid on 11/6/2006 3:34:47 PM

In Ye olden days, you had to use a DOS program called FDisk to partition, and then resize, but you also lost ALL DATA on the said disk. A few programs seem to help these days. *Note* Did you not want to keep the OS on the partition? Versus a disk?

I don't want the F partition at all. It was only created when I though the C partition was not accessable. The intent as I said above (somewhere in my ramblings) was to transfer anything I could to F and then save it before I formatted the disk and started again. After installing XP on F I was able to access my old accounts on C again even without booting on F.

Don't know why though.

Now I have access to C again the whole reason for creating F is gone and so I have no need for it or the OS loaded onto it.

how did you solve the dual-boot problem? i deleted a partition recently and my computer does the same crap, only that both choices open the same install of XP (wtf) - anyways, at least i found out how to setup linux and XP on the same computer to use dual boot

Swiss - No problem. As for the "empty" space, you should be able to amalgamate that with another partition using the proprietary tool that we discussed earlier. You *may* be able to do it in "Disk Manager" without losing data, but I haven't tried it.

CV - Just alter the boot-time parameters which can be found under "Startup and Recovery" under "System Properties". Try not to trash your machine though .

@CV: Yup, as esqui said. I had to F8 to safe mode on start up and chose to use my C Partition. Went to system recovery and edited the default OS from the new F to the old C. Then I reduced the timeout to "0" (zero) seconds so the machine both defaults to my preferred OS and does so without delay.

As Esqui says I still have an unused partition to delete or merge but from the point of view of solving the imediate problem I am sorted.

how the devil did I miss this and the opportunity to cause Swiss some unparalleled chaos?

*Shrugs* You'll have another opportunity I'm sure. What do the Yanks say? Ah yes, "you snooze you lose". There's your answer Taw'ho .

I see that your vernacular has now become as outdated and atavistic as your excuse for a computer.