Why You Can Trust CNET PartitionMagic 8.0 review: PartitionMagic 8.0
PartitionMagic 8.0
As hard drive volumes push well beyond 100GB in size, it makes sense to divide those megadrives into smaller, more manageable partitions--whether you want to run multiple operating systems, simplify backups, or just organize your overall file system. Though PartitionMagic 8.0 offers few substantial improvements over its past two iterations, this version delivers powerful tools to create, merge, split, copy, and convert partitions without the need to reformat your hard drive. Note, however, that you can inadvertently render your system unbootable or destroy important data with this deceptively simple software. Turn to PartitionMagic only if you're a power user with a good understanding of hard drives and file systems.
As hard drive volumes push well beyond 100GB in size, it makes sense to divide those megadrives into smaller, more manageable partitions--whether you want to run multiple operating systems, simplify backups, or just organize your overall file system. Though PartitionMagic 8.0 offers few substantial improvements over its past two iterations, this version delivers powerful tools to create, merge, split, copy, and convert partitions without the need to reformat your hard drive. Note, however, that you can inadvertently render your system unbootable or destroy important data with this deceptively simple software. Turn to PartitionMagic only if you're a power user with a good understanding of hard drives and file systems.
Cleaner interface
With the aid of the included quick-start guide, PartitionMagic 8.0 installs easily within a standard Windows setup routine. Launch the program, and you'll see an XP-style interface that has a more organized and cleaner look than version 7.0's. Buttons on the left lead to the software's key functions and launch so-called tasks--wizards that guide you through common procedures.
On the right, you'll find easy-to-understand tree diagrams that show the partition structure, free space, and color-coded file system formats. Click a drive diagram and select the function you wish to perform. Once you're finished specifying all your changes, select Apply. In some cases, PartitionMagic will perform the modifications live within Windows, but usually, it will automatically restart the PC and perform the changes during the boot process. If you change your mind, you can always reverse your current course of action and start over.
Version 8.0 adds only a few features of note. A file browser lets you copy files and directories from one partition to another, and now, PartitionMagic supports partition sizes up to 160GB as well as Linux Ext3 partitions and FireWire and USB 2.0 drives within Windows. A new feature in PQBoot, the helpful PartitionMagic utility that lets you juggle multiple operating systems, lets you specify within Windows which operating system to run on restart.
Danger lurks within
But don't let PartitionMagic's ease of use fool you; considerable danger is inherent in futzing with hard disk partitions--even with PartitionMagic. For example, it's all too easy to make a partition disappear or make your entire system unbootable. When things do go wrong, you must boot to DOS with rescue floppies that you created during the software installation process (or, you can boot from the PartitionMagic installation CD). It would be nice if PartitionMagic would alert you of potential operations that might make your system unstable.
If you do get yourself into a partition pickle, PowerQuest's toll-free phone technical support is available for free for 30 days, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. MT, Monday through Friday. After that, you'll have to fork over $30 per incident and $95 per incident after business hours. E-mail support is offered free for the life of the product. We sent in a query via the company's Web site and received a satisfactory reply the next day. The site also includes detailed FAQs and an extensive searchable troubleshooting database. But alas, although PartitionMagic 7.0 came with a 150-page printed manual, 8.0 includes information in a PDF file--especially vexing since you'll need to refer to the manual when you may not be able to boot Windows to view it.
If you're already using PartitionMagic 7.0, the few new features in 8.0 aren't worth the $49.95 to upgrade. However, for anyone who deals with disk partitions regularly or wants to run multiple operating systems, the power and flexibility of PartitionMagic is hard to beat.
PartitionMagic 8.0's wizards simplify the process of setting up disk partitions--even if you run multiple operating systems.
Cleaner interface
With the aid of the included quick-start guide, PartitionMagic 8.0 installs easily within a standard Windows setup routine. Launch the program, and you'll see an XP-style interface that has a more organized and cleaner look than version 7.0's. Buttons on the left lead to the software's key functions and launch so-called tasks--wizards that guide you through common procedures.
On the right, you'll find easy-to-understand tree diagrams that show the partition structure, free space, and color-coded file system formats. Click a drive diagram and select the function you wish to perform. Once you're finished specifying all your changes, select Apply. In some cases, PartitionMagic will perform the modifications live within Windows, but usually, it will automatically restart the PC and perform the changes during the boot process. If you change your mind, you can always reverse your current course of action and start over.
Version 8.0 adds only a few features of note. A file browser lets you copy files and directories from one partition to another, and now, PartitionMagic supports partition sizes up to 160GB as well as Linux Ext3 partitions and FireWire and USB 2.0 drives within Windows. A new feature in PQBoot, the helpful PartitionMagic utility that lets you juggle multiple operating systems, lets you specify within Windows which operating system to run on restart.
Danger lurks within
But don't let PartitionMagic's ease of use fool you; considerable danger is inherent in futzing with hard disk partitions--even with PartitionMagic. For example, it's all too easy to make a partition disappear or make your entire system unbootable. When things do go wrong, you must boot to DOS with rescue floppies that you created during the software installation process (or, you can boot from the PartitionMagic installation CD). It would be nice if PartitionMagic would alert you of potential operations that might make your system unstable.
If you do get yourself into a partition pickle, PowerQuest's toll-free phone technical support is available for free for 30 days, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. MT, Monday through Friday. After that, you'll have to fork over $30 per incident and $95 per incident after business hours. E-mail support is offered free for the life of the product. We sent in a query via the company's Web site and received a satisfactory reply the next day. The site also includes detailed FAQs and an extensive searchable troubleshooting database. But alas, although PartitionMagic 7.0 came with a 150-page printed manual, 8.0 includes information in a PDF file--especially vexing since you'll need to refer to the manual when you may not be able to boot Windows to view it.
If you're already using PartitionMagic 7.0, the few new features in 8.0 aren't worth the $49.95 to upgrade. However, for anyone who deals with disk partitions regularly or wants to run multiple operating systems, the power and flexibility of PartitionMagic is hard to beat.
PartitionMagic 8.0's wizards simplify the process of setting up disk partitions--even if you run multiple operating systems.