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Question

Disk Partitioning Problem

Oct 2, 2012 9:07AM PDT

Dear All,

Just bought a new Lenovo Laptop (750GB) with Windows 7 and was trying to partition the C drive.

I followed the steps below:

1. Open the Disk Management console by typing diskmgmt.msc
2. In Disk Management, I right-clicked the volume C (653 GB) that I wanted to shrink, and then click Shrink Volume.
3. In the Shrink dialog box, I just clicked Shrink.
4. I now have unallocated space.
5. I now right clicked on the unallocated space and clicked on "New Simple Volume"
6. On New Simple Volume Wizard, i clicked "Next"
7. Then on the specify volume size, I just left the simple volume sizes as it was shown and clicked on "Next"
8. After assigining the drive letter, I choose to format this volume and click on next.


This is where the problem starts:

1. I get a message " The operation you selected will convert the selected basic disk(s) to dynamic, you will not be able to start installed operating systems from any volume on the disk(s) (except the current boot volume). Are you sure you want to continue.
2. When I click "Yes", i get a error message
- "There is not enough space available on the disk(s) to complete this operation.

I am not able to detect this unallocated space anymore in the windows explorer. Can someone please help.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Some reading
Oct 2, 2012 9:52AM PDT
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Disk Partition Problem
Oct 2, 2012 6:51PM PDT

Hi steven,

I have already reverted back the situation.

What i mainly want to achieve is create another drive as the C drive is eating up almost 675 GB and with Windows installed in the same drive, I run the risk of loosing my data if there is any issue.

Any suggestions?

Regards
Abhishek

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Another partition won't help
Oct 2, 2012 8:05PM PDT

You'll still have the same total space. About the only reason I can think to do this is if you create disk images of the OS partition as part of a backup scheme. In that you have a laptop that likely came with a restore partition, you are limited in what you can do. Messing with partitions on these proprietary PCs will often cause issues doing a factory restore. You'd need to create your own reliable recovery method first. Have you done that.

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Partitions do not save data of files.
Oct 3, 2012 12:58AM PDT

There is a false security that folk came up over the years. The premise was that you could reinstall the OS and the files on the other partition would be safe.

This is not a sure thing. And with most off the shelf PCs and laptops the restore in most cases wipes the drive so that partition is gone.

You'd be better off with a real backup plan.
Bob

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Disk Partitioning
Oct 3, 2012 2:08AM PDT

Thanks for the replies Bob and Steven.

I am a bit novice in this so let me put my main aim again. Basically I want to create a new drive instead of having only 2 drives

C (675 GB)
D (50 GB)

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You will not have a new drive but a new drive letter
Oct 3, 2012 2:20AM PDT

As you did before, you shrink partition in which you want to create space for a new one. You create the partition within that now unallocated space. If you don't want to put an OS in it, create it as an extended partition and format as NTFS like the Windows 7 default. Don't use the dynamic drive option. You should be offered the opportunity to accept the default drive letter or change it. Once that's all done, it will appear as a drive in Windows Explorer. Its default name will probably be "New Volume". You can rename it. It will now allow you to create folders, drag and drop files, etc. I generally use 3rd party partitioning software but have used Win7 diskpart. It works.

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Answer
I found where the drive can be shrunk
Oct 4, 2012 5:25AM PDT
Sart to Control Panel, click on the System Icon, right click to open and you will see System Protection. You will see your drives; I have C: and D: Below that is configure where you can shrink the drives. I have on the recovery drive, 10.7 GB with 1.3 GB free space. Also, you can right click My Computer. There is a box that if I check will compress that drive; also use disk cleanup. I also use CCleaner.
Another place in control panel, Internet Options, I had history at 20 days it is in Browsing History, settings, I set to 0.
Also I have unchecked saving favorites in delete history. Under the advanced tab, Security is Empty temporary internet files when browser is closed - I have a check mark on that. Turn off the computer and temporary internet files is deleted. Darrell
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I'm afraid ...
Oct 4, 2012 5:30AM PDT

this is either nonsense or totally unrelated to the problem of the OP. A totally useless post.

Kees

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I have done all of that except:
Oct 4, 2012 11:44PM PDT

Compress drive, did used Diskcleaner, also in the same area created a new restore point to Friday October 05, 2012 with my time. I do use ccleaner & defraggler from www(dot)piriform(dot)com. My history is set at zero. The only thing I did not do was shrink the drive (compress) - you need some space for restore points. I have only one.
Darrell

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One other item is to have a system restore set up
Oct 4, 2012 11:52PM PDT