Partition Vista HD

Since I am unable to use Partition Magic in Vista, I was forced to use the Vista partition tool. I am not able to manually set the size for the C partition. I was able to basically split the 300g hd in half but I am not able to shrink the C partition any more. I have tried disabling the page file and system restore and was able to shrink by about 7gs more but still not able to significantly reduce the C partition to a preferable 50 or 60gs I have tried the Gparted tool but I can not get it to work. Is there a trick to getting the Vista partition tool to work a little better? This is a new system with only the os and few programs installed so I don't think it could be more than 10 or 15gs. I guess the question is why Vista will not let me shrink the os partition less than 150gs.

Cuzn

 

My hunch is there's some file, a system file or whatever, that's gotten placed on the hard drive in a location on the drive such that it's causing this limitation you're encountering. Have you tried defragmenting the hard drive? I'd give that a try and see whether it makes any difference.

 

http://vistarewired.com/2007/04/07/...ws-vista-xp-when-disk-management-doesnt-work/

This should work when you have greyed out options.

 

I ran defrag before shrinking. My standard procedure as well as scan and disc check.

 

Thanks for the info. I think I saw this but I don't remember why I didn't try it. Will look into it. There is one small difference in that the option to input a number is not greyed out, it just doesn't accept the value I enter. I am assuming this is a non-destructive procedure. I'd classify this as "what were they thinking". I wonder why the default configuration doesn't put the os on a manageable partition and place user folders on a separate partition? It seems like it would save people a lot trouble when their system crashes.

 

Back up your data, just in case. I have not tested this.

 

Actually usafveteran when I think about it your probably right. It's just that defrag doesn't help. I think it probably has to do with a poorly designed partition tool. After using Partion Magic which is quick and easy, I figured wrongly MS would design something similar.

 

Here's another suggestion, based on my experience with a Compaq Notebook PC I bought about 4 months ago, with Windows Vista Home Premium. Soon after I got it, I learned of Vista's disk management feature for shrinking and adding partitions. I had removed the removed the Recovery partition via Recovery manager, since I had received a Recovery DVD from HP; my hard drive only 80GB and I wanted to free up that space for other use.

I tried using Vista's disk management features but it would only allow me to shrink C by about 8GB, which I believe was the space formerly reserved for the Recovery partition.

Awhile after that, I decided to use the Recovery DVD to format and reinstall the OS and all original software. I was then able to use the partition shrink feature; it worked as it's supposed to work. I allocated 28GB to C, the OS partition, and created 3 more partitions.

So, since your computer is new and you haven't installed a lot of software yet, I suggest you might do what I did. I can't gaurantee it will work; I'm just sharing with you what I've experienced.

 

That is interesting. I was thinking that you were on to something with your suggestion about system files blocking the shrinking of os partition. Thats why I tried disabling the page file and system restore in my attempts. It must be seeing something else on an installed system to keep it from shrinking. Damn I spent a lot of time trying to setup the partition but since I was not able to get it the way I wanted I proceeded to configure the pc anyway. Now I have to consider starting all over to get it right. Is your recovery DVD a true installation disc or is it an image of the hd? Did you do the partition at the time of installation or after?


P.S. I wonder if the Diskpart.exe that Adrynalyne suggested is bypassing Vista in Dos mode and therefore making it possible to shrink the os partition that Vista may be blocking. Hmm, guess I'll look into that first.

Thanks

 

Yes, I would try diskpart.exe first. If that works, I'd say you've found your solution and don't need to use the recovery procedure.

My Recovery DVD is a true installation disc. After I bought the computer, I tried creating a recovery disc from the recovery partition on the hard drive. That's the basic idea behind a recovery partition; you're supposed to be able to create your own recovery disc from the recovery partition. Having a recovery disc, i.e. DVD, provides the extra protection of being able to restore the system in event of hard drive failure.

The procedure for creating a recovery disc from the recovery partition did not work. It appeared to proceed nearly to completion but would stop near the end and display some error message. I called HP (Hewlett Packard), since they now own Compaq, and they sent a Recovery DVD to me, at no charge.

No, I saw no option to do it then. So, used the shrink option after installation.

Note: the absence of the ability to create partitions when using the recovery disc concerns me. I'm under the impression that, if I ever need to use the recovery disc to format and reinstall the whole system, it's going to format the entire drive and I'll have to then re-create my partitions. I'll also have to be absolutely sure to have everything on the non-OS partitions backed up.

I don't know what brand computer you have, but, if you use the recovery disc, look closely for any options during the procedure such as partitioning. With the HP/Compaq recovery disc, once it's started, it provides no option for any user interaction; it just marches forward and does it's thing.

 

Because the recovery installation disc does not offer you any option during installation I am wondering if it is an image and not a true installation disc. It sounds like an image recovery disc. I don't know how Vista is but I believe that for xp a "recovery disc" was actually an image of the hd that the company makes after installing the os. A "reinstallation disc" was a true installation disc and you had the option when installing which partition and optional components to install. For that reason I created my own installation disc w/sp2 slipstreamed. I don't have the disc that came with the computer with me right now (a Dell) but I think it says "reinstallation disc" . If it is a true installation disc you should be able to use it to do a repair install and not a whole system reinstall as an option. That is one of the benefits of a true reinstallation disc. Also you by not using the an image to reinstall you can avoid having the extra bundled junk that the companies include and get a "clean" install. If it is an image disc than it would not give you any option and it would wipe your entire hd to look like it did when you first got it regardless if you had since partitioned it. I think you should be able to check it by loading it and seeing if you can browse the disc and view the different files and folders on it. I know it probably wants to auto start but I just cancel and right click the disc and choose explore. It might be worth confirming in case you need to reinstall in the future. I have created an xp installation disc using the installation files on my hd I don't know for sure but I would think you could do the same with Vista. Or order one from MS.

 

OK, I called the Recovery disc a true installation disc because it came from the manufacturer and reinstalls Windows. But, as you mentioned, it also installs all other original software that was installed when new and it does not allow the user any options other than letting it do the full restoration of the original configuration, so I see the distinction you're making and I have to agree it's not a true installation disc.

I may call HP Tech support to ask for a true Windows installation disc, but I doubt they'll provide anything more than the Recovery DVD I already have. You mentioned ordering one from MS. Do you know whether MS will provide a Windows Vista disc to purchasers of systems that shipped with a drive image disc? I'd be willing to pay a small fee for that.

 

As far as I know, no, they will not do that. I know for certain they wouldnt during XP's reign. I doubt its changed for Vista.

 

I don't know I don't see why not. I mean if your willing to pay for it it shouldn't be a problem. Worth a shot. They sent me a sp2 update disc at no charge when I requested it. You still will only be able to install it on one machine since it will be tied to your hardware. If you try to register it with another pc it will require another license so I can't see why it would be a issue. There are legitimate reason why someone would want a true installation disc. After all you paid for it you just didn't get a disc, only the system. The computer companies are trying to save some time and money by not giving you what you actually paid for. When I got my new computer it came preinstalled with software but they also included the installation discs for the software so why not the os too? Dell has been pretty good about giving out a true installation disc so I don't have to worry about one. If your are interested I'll try and find the instructions on how to create your own. It's really easy. I just don't know if it is the same procedure for Vista.

P.S. if you really can't get a legitimate one I know you can find a pirated copy on some file sharing program. As long as you only have it installed on 1 pc and you use your license it should not be a problem.

Cuzn

 

Just to clarify, I'm not suggesting MS is going to give you another license for the os, just a copy of the installation disc for a fee of course.

 

Because its OEM. Their agreement is with system builders and manufacturers, not end users. Not for OEM.

I used to work for them, and I handled replacement CDs and what not. Trust me, they don't do that, unless you want to pay for a retail copy. The SP2 CD was merely an update CD, and we sent it free of charge to those who asked. An OS CD is quite different.

 

Ok I see, so there is no way to get an installation disc? Wow that sucks. So that's the reason some of these companies don't give you an installations disc, they get a discount on the license provided they don't distribute real installation disc?

 

Halo, thanks for the good info. I will look into it. Have you any experience with the Diskpart.exe tool?

Also your warning on a pirated copy is appreciated, anyone exploring that option should be aware of the risk and show extra caution. I wasn't suggesting a cracked version. There are actual legitimate copies that need to be activated in order to be used.

 

This seems to be a good reference: How to work with partitions in Windows Vista / XP when Disk Management doesn’t work07Apr07

 

Aye, thats why I posted it.

 

Yeah it really looked promising, I followed the guide for diskpart.exe but again It would not let me shrink the partition. I turned of the page file and system restore, deleted the Hibernation file and defragged the hd. Still no go. Wow what a drag. There is still the option of reinstalling but puzzled on what's different about that to allow shrinking the os partition. I was able to delete the recovery partition though.

 

While Microsoft won't provide you with a Vista install disk you might try contacting Dell and requesting an actual MS Vista installation disk. I doubt they'll provide it for free, but they might be willing to sell you one for a fee of $15 or so since you purchased the machine from them.

At least before Vista's release some computer manufacturers, who usually shipped their Win XP machines only with image restore disks (or just included a restore partition on the hard drive) to cut costs, were willing to provide an actual MS Windows install disk for an additional $15 or so.

You have less leverage in making such a request once you've already purchased a computer from a company, but Dell may well have an established practice/policy about providing regular Windows Vista install disks on request, so I'd try contacting them.

And everyone reading this, take note -- before buying a computer, ask whether the manufacturer provides a regular MS Windows installation disk with the machine or only a restore disk (or disks) or restore partition. The regular install disks are being routinely included less and less with a new computer. In such a case, ask how much more they charge to provide the regular MS Windows installation disk. I think it's worth an extra $15 or so to get an actual MS Windows install disk with a machine.

Or...learn how to build your own computer and buy your OS version yourself off the store shelf or via the net so you get the bright, colorful box too! :cool

 

Actually Dell is one of the few pc companies that does provide a true installation disc with a pc. They also still offer the option for a xp or vista os. I was able to customize the bundled system to fit my needs and have had no problems or complaints.

 

Oops...I should have quoted from usafveteran as he was the one who needed suggestions about who to contact for an actual MS Windows install disk. Adrynalyne is correct certainly, that Microsoft licenses/authorizes some computer companies (presumably at cheaper rates) to install Windows and not provide a standard Windows install CD/DVD and substitute a system restore CD or partition that restores the OS along with all the other "trialware" and advertising crap that comes preinstalled on many systems. And such restore disks often don't offer all the options and settings that you have available when using a regular Windows install CD/DVD. But most companies will, if the customer requests it and is willing to pay a few dollars extra, include at time of purchase or sell later a regular MS install CD of the OS. While some companies still do that as a matter of course (as Dell apparently does, at least for some machines) others don't unless the customer requests it and is willing to pay extra for it.

So the upshot is, if you purchase a system and didn't get a standard MS Windows install CD/DVD and got a system restore disk and/or a restore partition on your hard drive instead, Microsoft isn't going to provide you with such an install disk as that would be an additional expense for them and they'd have to take additional time to contact the company who sold the original system to verify, etc etc. So contact your computer manufacturer and ask them if they'll provide you with a Microsoft install disk and find out how much they'll charge for it.