Salam,

I messed my harddrive :(
I have windows vista home, and I used the shrink feature to "partition the disk" but I made so many partitions. (See attached screenshot)
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/4269/screenshot001rq7.jpg

Now I want to merge drive G and F, but I can't. The "extend" feature is gray.


2- What is the difference between "primary partition" and "logical drive".
Which one is better?
I don't know some partitions are "promary partions" while others are "logical drives".


Thanks.

You could do one thing, if you don't have any data on those extra partitions, then delete the partitions and then make one big partition and format it. Ofcourse don't touch the VISTA files partition.

Sorry I'm not sure what logical and primary exactly mean.

Yes, yes. Both are blank.
Ok I delete them both, but where does the space go? Does it go back to C and I then have to cut the new partition for C?

Thanks a lot.

no it doesn't goto c, it remains "Unpartitioned". Then you have to make a new partition and allocate space to it, and you can't allocate all the space there might be like 8MBs Unpartitioned space but that's nothing to worry about.

1. OK,after deleting both partitions F and G.

2. Now I clicked on the first free space and made a new partition and called it F. But it only got its previous size, there was no way to add the space from the second unpartitioned space to it.
How do I merge the second space to it?

assuming from the pick u provided, you got a 320GB HDD.

it should actually give you an option, but try the "Extend Volume".

Or try to download a third party partition software in which you can everything you want more easily.

I usually do my partitions at the time of Windows installation.

Yes. I tried "extend volume" but it does not work, it's gray.
Do you recommend a certain software?

Thanks,

Riv wtf are you saying !

Ducklet Cat, I know the meaning of primary partitions and logical drives, but I'm not going to explain, because it's not important. Riv is kind of right but he's derailed from the right path. You're asking for a manual way to do this and there are many... but the luxuries are there so why bother. I'm going to give you a gem. I don't even need to explain how to use it. It's very easy.

Paragon Partition Manager Torrent (http://www.mininova.org/tor/1018597)

PM me if you don't know how to download torrents.

Riv wtf are you saying !

Ducklet Cat, I know the meaning of primary partitions and logical drives, but I'm not going to explain, because it's not important. Riv is kind of right but he's derailed from the right path. You're asking for a manual way to do this and there are many... but the luxuries are there so why bother. I'm going to give you a gem. I don't even need to explain how to use it. It's very easy.

Paragon Partition Manager Torrent (http://www.mininova.org/tor/1018597)

PM me if you don't know how to download torrents.


Thanks Snooky. I've downloaded and installed it and it seems to be a great software. But I got this message when I tried to merge the partitions:

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/9391/screenshot003mr8.jpg

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/2676/screenshot004vo3.jpg

Why is that? What should I do? :( :cry:

Argh Windows is a huge huge pain when it comes to partitioning.

Oh .. This is interesting stuff

This computrer is still new, and I already hate Vista. :(
Is there a way to fix things? :cry:

I think I found something!
http://vistarewired.com/2007/04/07/how-to-work-with-partitions-in-windows-vista-xp-when-disk-management-doesnt-work/

I just need someone to help me find the right command I should right to merge volumes F and G together.

Thanks.

from this pic http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/2676/screenshot004vo3.jpg

i can see drive f: is under an extended partition. so if u delete both primary partitions on g: and f: u still wont be able to merge them. U need to delete the extended partition ... to delete it, u first need to delete the primary partition on f: then u should be able to delete the exteneded partition. once done. delete the primary partition on g: . u should now get one unpartitioned space.

I have a question about Vista. My daughter has it on her new laptop but want to take it out and put in a new OS (the Windows XP). What I am finding is not too many people and esp. the college she goes to has programs that are compatible with Vista. Can I wipe out the Vista OS and install the Windows XP OS and if so how?

^^its possible to install windows xp. just make sure u have all the xp drives for ur laptop and a copy of windows xp.

Thanks Professor.
I decided to cope with the new situation. :p I've already moved my files and I don't want to delete them.

But is it safe to leave things as there are? I mean with so many types of partitions? Will my harddisk be ok?

Thanks :)