Non-destructive Re-partitioning tool

awdrifter · August 20th, 2007, 10:24 AM

I need to repartition one of my storage drives, is there any program that can repatition it from 4 partitions to 1 without damaging the data? All the tools I found is for Linux, is there any programs for Windows? Thanks.

awdrifter · August 20th, 2007, 11:22 AM

I tried a program called PartitionMagic, but it damaged my partitions when I try to merge them, now only the frist partition shows up, is there anyway to fix it or is my HDD pretty much gone? Thanks.

Viper007Bond · August 20th, 2007, 11:36 AM

Just do it the real way and back up the data first.

awdrifter · August 20th, 2007, 11:44 AM

But I can't reformat the whole drive now, the program won't even load, it gives me an error. Do I have to plug the drive in as primary then reformat it that way? Thanks.

rskrobot · August 20th, 2007, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by awdrifter

But I can't reformat the whole drive now, the program won't even load, it gives me an error. Do I have to plug the drive in as primary then reformat it that way? Thanks.

Is the drive plugged in as secondary now?

epp_b · August 20th, 2007, 02:59 PM

Actually, PartitionMagic has a "merge partitions" feature that might do this, but I don't recall ever trying that feature myself.

I'd suggest the same as viper: back it up first to another hard drive, delete the four partitions, create a new one, then copy the data back to the new partition.

BootIt NG will do this for you, and there is a full-featured trial version.

73GMCSprint · August 20th, 2007, 05:40 PM

PartitionMagic FTW. Always backup your data when you're changing partitions, just in case. I've never had a problem with PartitionMagic.

cvrefugee · August 20th, 2007, 05:45 PM

You should have used gParted.

chaos386 · August 20th, 2007, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cvg

You should have used gParted.

QFT.

They even have a LiveCD version, so you don't need to install anything to use it.

Quiky · August 21st, 2007, 05:17 AM

Paragon Partition Manager works perfectly for me..

Thraxes · August 23rd, 2007, 08:38 PM

gParted Live CD FTW

awdrifter · August 25th, 2007, 05:21 PM

I can't get gParted to run, how do I even install it? Thanks.

epp_b · August 25th, 2007, 10:31 PM

^ You don't install it. You burn it to a CD, boot to the CD and it runs right off of the disc.

omarmakki · August 26th, 2007, 09:38 PM

gParted is good, but I just don't feel comfortable using it. I always have the feeling that I could mess up or format a drive accidentally! (Paranoia?)

I'd rather boot into Windows and use Partition Magic or Acronis Disk Director...

thedguy · August 27th, 2007, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omarmakki

gParted is good, but I just don't feel comfortable using it. I always have the feeling that I could mess up or format a drive accidentally! (Paranoia?)

I'd rather boot into Windows and use Partition Magic or Acronis Disk Director...

I trust Gparted more than Partition magic, but Acronis hasn't failed me, plus it can actually setup macos partitions for running osx on a regular PC.

jensked · August 28th, 2007, 01:36 PM

Just some feedback:

I also needed a partition manager to do something important for work:

I used the gParted Live disk and it's great! I recommend it to everyone.

awdrifter · August 29th, 2007, 01:55 PM

I'll give gParted a try this weekend.

snq · September 1st, 2007, 11:37 AM

If you do end up using Partition Magic, use version 8 or newer! v7 completely destroyed my partitions once. A little warning for 8 as well, it doesn't cope with vista partitions very well (read: makes them unusable), this was a while ago tho when vista was just released so they've probably fixed that in a newer version.

August 20th, 2007, 10:24 AM	#1
awdrifter Joined: Aug 29th, 2004 Last Online: 04:38 AM Posts: 1,549 Rep Power: 26	Non-destructive Re-partitioning tool I need to repartition one of my storage drives, is there any program that can repatition it from 4 partitions to 1 without damaging the data? All the tools I found is for Linux, is there any programs for Windows? Thanks. __________________ TP

August 20th, 2007, 11:22 AM	#2
awdrifter Joined: Aug 29th, 2004 Last Online: 04:38 AM Posts: 1,549 Rep Power: 26	I tried a program called PartitionMagic, but it damaged my partitions when I try to merge them, now only the frist partition shows up, is there anyway to fix it or is my HDD pretty much gone? Thanks. __________________ TP

August 20th, 2007, 11:36 AM	#3
Viper007Bond Lazy Head Dude Joined: Sep 21st, 2003 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 21,086 Car: Dodge Viper (I wish!) Rep Power: 237	Just do it the real way and back up the data first. __________________ Fight back against the evil Quiky by +1'ing this post! There is no replacement for displacement. - Wolfgang Bernhard, Chief Operating Officer, Chrysler Group talking about the Dodge Viper SRT-10 ... I ask Herb Helbig, vehicle synthesis manager for SRT and a member of the original Team Viper development group since day one, if they'd ever thought of adding traction control. "It comes with two," he says, pointing at my feet. "Learn to use them." Got it. - Motor Trend on the 2006 Dodge Viper Coupe, November 2005

August 20th, 2007, 11:44 AM	#4
awdrifter Joined: Aug 29th, 2004 Last Online: 04:38 AM Posts: 1,549 Rep Power: 26	But I can't reformat the whole drive now, the program won't even load, it gives me an error. Do I have to plug the drive in as primary then reformat it that way? Thanks. __________________ TP

August 21st, 2007, 05:17 AM	#10
Quiky You know you want me.. Joined: Aug 21st, 2005 Last Online: 03:31 AM Posts: 2,296 LFS Status: Rep Power: 169	Paragon Partition Manager works perfectly for me.. __________________ + Rep me, and fight the lazy Viper007Bond!

August 20th, 2007, 02:59 PM	#6
epp_b n00b of the year Joined: Jun 23rd, 2006 Last Online: 05:41 AM Location: Canadaland :) Posts: 4,907 Car: 1995 Nissan 240SX Rep Power: 45	Actually, PartitionMagic has a "merge partitions" feature that might do this, but I don't recall ever trying that feature myself. I'd suggest the same as viper: back it up first to another hard drive, delete the four partitions, create a new one, then copy the data back to the new partition. BootIt NG will do this for you, and there is a full-featured trial version.

August 20th, 2007, 05:40 PM	#7
73GMCSprint Joined: Jun 20th, 2007 Last Online: 07:20 AM Location: UT, USA Posts: 455 Car: 1973 GMC Sprint, Buick 455, TH400 Rep Power: 14	PartitionMagic FTW. Always backup your data when you're changing partitions, just in case. I've never had a problem with PartitionMagic.

August 20th, 2007, 05:45 PM	#8
cvrefugee Joined: Aug 16th, 2004 Last Online: 02:15 AM Location: Corona, CA Age: 28 Posts: 3,450 Car: 2005 Scion xB Rep Power: 60	You should have used gParted.

August 23rd, 2007, 08:38 PM	#11
Thraxes Joined: May 7th, 2006 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Wiesbaden, Germany Posts: 32 Car: 08 Mitsubishi Lancer Rep Power: 0	gParted Live CD FTW __________________ If A is success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut. Albert Einstein

August 25th, 2007, 05:21 PM	#12
awdrifter Joined: Aug 29th, 2004 Last Online: 04:38 AM Posts: 1,549 Rep Power: 26	I can't get gParted to run, how do I even install it? Thanks. __________________ TP

August 25th, 2007, 10:31 PM	#13
epp_b n00b of the year Joined: Jun 23rd, 2006 Last Online: 05:41 AM Location: Canadaland :) Posts: 4,907 Car: 1995 Nissan 240SX Rep Power: 45	^ You don't install it. You burn it to a CD, boot to the CD and it runs right off of the disc.

August 26th, 2007, 09:38 PM	#14
omarmakki Joined: May 15th, 2006 Last Online: January 3rd, 2009 Location: Egypt/Qatar Age: 19 Posts: 367 LFS Status: Rep Power: 0	gParted is good, but I just don't feel comfortable using it. I always have the feeling that I could mess up or format a drive accidentally! (Paranoia?) I'd rather boot into Windows and use Partition Magic or Acronis Disk Director... __________________ http://myqcs.blogspot.com

August 28th, 2007, 01:36 PM	#16
jensked Joined: Mar 31st, 2005 Last Online: January 6th, 2009 Location: Flanders, Belgium Age: 25 Posts: 4,007 Car: RIP Opel Astra -> 2006 Toyota Corolla Wagon Rep Power: 43	Just some feedback: I also needed a partition manager to do something important for work: I used the gParted Live disk and it's great! I recommend it to everyone.

August 29th, 2007, 01:55 PM	#17
awdrifter Joined: Aug 29th, 2004 Last Online: 04:38 AM Posts: 1,549 Rep Power: 26	I'll give gParted a try this weekend. __________________ TP

September 1st, 2007, 11:37 AM	#18
snq Joined: Dec 17th, 2004 Last Online: January 1st, 2009 Location: Sweden / About 50 km from the arctic circle Age: 30 Posts: 327 Car: 1966 Chevelle 454 Rep Power: 17	If you do end up using Partition Magic, use version 8 or newer! v7 completely destroyed my partitions once. A little warning for 8 as well, it doesn't cope with vista partitions very well (read: makes them unusable), this was a while ago tho when vista was just released so they've probably fixed that in a newer version. __________________ Too many cars..

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