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Partitioning a (preloaded) XP system

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by Member 23567752

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We buy our PC's directly from IBM and they come preloaded with XP workstation operating system (no CD's supplied - recovery option on HDD). The problem is I need to partition the HDD (basic C: and D: drive setup).

Does anyone know of an easy way to partition the hard disk? Ideally I don't really want to have to buy any third party products (eg Partition Magic). Also, being a coorporate system, it needs to be a reliable technique.

Thanks,

9 replies

by gigelul

I had the same problem with the last 5 PC's.
The recovery options are on a FAT32(~1Gb) partition on HDD.
I used Disk Manager to unhide this partition and then I made a backup of that partition.
I made an CD image/copy from a friend's WinXP CD.
I installed from scratch WinXP and I used the backup for drivers and additional IBM software.

But was only 5 computers with the same hardware configuration.

If it is enough 1 Gb for D: partition you can use the recovery partition.

If it is only a design issue you can share a folder fron C: partition and then map this share with D: letter.

by Member 23567752

The issue I'm having isn't so much about the preloaded recovery partition (quite happy to loose and rebuild from scratch). The problem is I want to make two partitions for the operating system/apps. Normally this would be done when I do a fresh reinstall. However, as the machines don't come with a Win XP CD (and I'm not buggering around with activation and licencing), this isn't an option.

by tech_wiz03

time for entry from the linux world! Get yourself a copy of the fips program free on most linux installations. Or I can email to you a copy. It will safely repartiton fat 16 and fat 32 partitions make sure to defrag and do a hdd scan before use. after you have made the new partition use fdisk to erase the newly formed partition and recreate it native for win xp. all info should remain intact as well as all operating programs.

regards
rick

by charles_j_smith

The linux solution above does not sound too bad, although I can not recommend it simply because I have not used it.

I have used Partition Magic (I think they are at version 8 or 9 now). This software you have to pay for unfortunately, but it is well worth it. Partitioning is very easy. Plus, it comes with boot disk creation in case something goes wrong. I have never had anything go wrong with this software. I have also used their server version of this software on a w2k box running exchange and it worked perfectly.

Good luck.

by Member 23567752

I'm aware that Partition magic will work and it may just be my only option. I was hoping that I woudln't have to follow this path though

by thechas

You really only have 2 options:

Image / backup the drive,
Wipe the drive and re-partition
Restore the image to the primary partition.

Use a 3rd party utility.

There is no tool within XP to change the partitions on an active drive without loosing the data on the drive.

Chas

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