COMPUTER QUESTION: Help me wipe out everything! I don't want to screw this up...

[JakeT.]

Okay, so my brilliant roommate made my 40GB computer into 3 drives; C, E, and J.

E and J are fine by themselves.

C is a problem. He created it far too small and now I can't install anything or get over 100 MB of free space. I have literally cleared everything that can be cleared and moved everything that can be moved. Nothing left to do other than copy all my computer files onto disks and delete everything and start over.

My question is, how do I go about this? I still have my Windows XP disk around. I don't care about making 3 seperate drives again (unless someone has a logical reason to do so). I just want to delete everything, get my C drive space stable, and start from scratch.

What's the easiest way to accomplish this?

Thanks guys!

 

[TTinCO]

First of all Jake, we now have a forum specifically for questions like this http://forum.therx.com/forumdisplay.php?f=163
XP setup may allow you to delete & recreate the partitions-if not, you can download one of many utilities that will delete the partitions & then you can create 1 during XP setup.

Try running setup first

(this is my expertise-anyone want to jump in with 1st hand experience?)

 

[BaseballGuy]

Okay, so my brilliant roommate made my 40GB computer into 3 drives; C, E, and J.

E and J are fine by themselves.

C is a problem. He created it far too small and now I can't install anything or get over 100 MB of free space. I have literally cleared everything that can be cleared and moved everything that can be moved. Nothing left to do other than copy all my computer files onto disks and delete everything and start over.

My question is, how do I go about this? I still have my Windows XP disk around. I don't care about making 3 seperate drives again (unless someone has a logical reason to do so). I just want to delete everything, get my C drive space stable, and start from scratch.

What's the easiest way to accomplish this?

Thanks guys!

Pop the cd in the drive.. Restart the computer. When asked to select (Quick Format) This will both reformat the Hardrive to one partition and install windows xp.

GL

 

[JakeT.]

Pop the cd in the drive.. Restart the computer. When asked to select (Quick Format) This will both reformat the Hardrive to one partition and install windows xp.

GL

TTincO, do you want me to move this to that thread or is it cool if I ask one or two more questions in this one? I'll definately post it in the computer area next time. I wasn't aware there was one..

BaseballGuy, will doing what you said delete everything?

 

[BaseballGuy]

TTincO, do you want me to move this to that thread or is it cool if I ask one or two more questions in this one? I'll definately post it in the computer area next time. I wasn't aware there was one..

BaseballGuy, will doing what you said delete everything?

Yes it will and in fact it will warn you of such.

 

[TTinCO]

No problem Jake-it's new. We can leave it here-good reminder to anyone who isn't aware of it.

 

[jeckll]

You don't have to reformat, get a partition program (Partition Magic or equivalent)

It will let you resize your partitions without affecting your data. You can just take a GB or two from free space or from another partition and add it to C: and you won't have to reformat or anything

 

[TTinCO]

CK, I think he wants it as one 40gb partition

(but am not 100% certain)

 

[jeckll]

Well he said he doesn't care about making 3 separate drives again, but it doesnt seem to be a problem that he has 3 drives other than 1 of them is too small

 

[PixWinns]

One of the best software available:

Home Page

http://www.acronis.com/

------------------------------------------------

Disk Director (Partition, etc.)

http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/diskdirector/

--------------------------------------------------

Acronis True Image 9.0 (Full System Backup)

http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/

---------------------------------------------------

Take a look and read more about it..........
.

 

[TTinCO]

Klow, I'm a big fan of Acronis Partition Expert-quite the lifesaver when you need it.

For some reason, I had it in my head that the XP reload was necessary-it's not. Just move some free space from one of the other partitions to the C drive.

 

[quantumleap]

Acronis True Image 9.0 is great. Easy to use and it works.

Back up your hard drive people. Or you will be sorry when your hard drive crashes. That reminds me, I need to do it myself.

 

[PixWinns]

TTinCO - Have you had a chance to use Acronis True Image?

--------------

TTinCO - In addition to the above different topic, just curious, have you tried VMWare.

 

[PixWinns]

Acronis True Image 9.0 is great. Easy to use and it works.

Back up your hard drive people. Or you will be sorry when your hard drive crashes. That reminds me, I need to do it myself.

quantumleap - Very nice indeed.

 

[TTinCO]

TTinCO - Have you had a chance to use Acronis True Image?
--------------
TTinCO - In addition to the above different topic, just curious, have you tried VMWare.

Haven't tried either. 99% of what I do is server-side, so this isn't my specialty. As far as backups, I have raid, replication & tapes out the azz.....total overkill, but they want it.

 

[JakeT.]

Thanks guys.

It sounds like partitioning stuff would be the best way to go about it. Is there any free software out there that anyone could reccomend? I really don't want to pay $60 to use the software once and then forget about it...

 

[TTinCO]

Partition Expert has a 'trial' at download.com

 

[JakeT.]

Partition Expert has a 'trial' at download.com

Sorry to keep buggin ya but can I get a link? I can't find it...

 

[TTinCO]

http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/partitionexpert/index.html

Don't hurt yourself trying....1st match in google for "partition expert"

 

[JakeT.]

http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/partitionexpert/index.html

Don't hurt yourself trying....1st match in google for "partition expert"

Hey you said it was on download.com and it wasn't.

That's why I couldn't find it.

Thanks for the link.