I have a new laptop with win7 installed. The C drive has 600 gig and I would like to break it into two 300 gig partitions. I tried it with the built in partition tools and was able to do it. The problem is this bumps the recovery partition back one spot and the recovery utilities do not work unless I boot of the repair disc. I had to do a restore to get things back to normal and working.
There was a post several months ago with something similiar but the person was changing alot around and I got lost in the explanation.
I believe I need the recovery partition to end up between the two 300 gig partitions.
Can anyone explain how I might be able to do this?
Thank you in advance.
There was a post several months ago with something similiar but the person was changing alot around and I got lost in the explanation.
I believe I need the recovery partition to end up between the two 300 gig partitions.
Can anyone explain how I might be able to do this?
Thank you in advance.
If you were already able to restore to factory condition, then is that method alone sufficient as a backup?
I'm not sure why dividing the C partition would affect a separate Recovery partition but if you tried running it from boot and it wouldn't run then it may have only lost its link to run from Windows. Try booting it to see while you are still testing things. Back up your files.
The more modern method of recovery is saving externally a Win7 backup image to reimage the HD or replacement to exactly how your system is now: Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup
If you decide that an image backup and your Recovery Disks are sufficient then you might want to not worry about your Recovery partition, or even recover its space.
Many tech enthusiasts find a Win7 installation DVD to get an install without bloatware which is actually better than getting a new computer nowadays. Heres how for your consideration: re-install windows 7
I'm not sure why dividing the C partition would affect a separate Recovery partition but if you tried running it from boot and it wouldn't run then it may have only lost its link to run from Windows. Try booting it to see while you are still testing things. Back up your files.
The more modern method of recovery is saving externally a Win7 backup image to reimage the HD or replacement to exactly how your system is now: Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup
If you decide that an image backup and your Recovery Disks are sufficient then you might want to not worry about your Recovery partition, or even recover its space.
Many tech enthusiasts find a Win7 installation DVD to get an install without bloatware which is actually better than getting a new computer nowadays. Heres how for your consideration: re-install windows 7
Thank you
I am able to do the backups. That is how I got the recovery working, by restoring from an image.
I wanted to divide the C drive so I can put all data on that partition and just back it up after the initial image of the whole drive is done. I would also like to keep the recovery partition working.
Perhaps windows keeps track of the partition position rather than drive letter. If so then when I add a partition in the middle windows would loose the recovery partition.
Is it possible to shrink c drive then expand d drive ( the recovery partition) then nab the extra off the end of d drive for the extra partition? That way the recovery partition will still be in the same position and hopefully keep working.
Thanks
I am able to do the backups. That is how I got the recovery working, by restoring from an image.
I wanted to divide the C drive so I can put all data on that partition and just back it up after the initial image of the whole drive is done. I would also like to keep the recovery partition working.
Perhaps windows keeps track of the partition position rather than drive letter. If so then when I add a partition in the middle windows would loose the recovery partition.
Is it possible to shrink c drive then expand d drive ( the recovery partition) then nab the extra off the end of d drive for the extra partition? That way the recovery partition will still be in the same position and hopefully keep working.
Thanks
I have never heard of a recovery partition not working because there are extra partitions that were shrunk form C. Look where my recovery partition is (this system is currently not active - that's why there are the funny drive letters).
Please post back a screenshot of your full Disk Mgmt drive map and listings, using Snipping Tool in Start Menu.
What specific functions of Recovery stopped working after you subdivided your C drive, and how did that physically affect your Recovery Drive? It shouldn't have moved it at all.
What specific functions of Recovery stopped working after you subdivided your C drive, and how did that physically affect your Recovery Drive? It shouldn't have moved it at all.
I wil post later. In middle of something else.
Thanks
Thanks
This is with everything working.
This is after the change when recovery stops.
On the backup recovery page if I try to creade a repair disk I get the message not a valid parameter.
If I select recover from a saved image when the computer restarts to load recovery environment I get a message unable to continue, missing device. Use repair disk.
If I pause the boot and select F11 (recovery) it doesn't work.
I have to boot off the repair disc to do a recovery.
When I reload from a saved image everything works again.
Thanks again
This is after the change when recovery stops.
On the backup recovery page if I try to creade a repair disk I get the message not a valid parameter.
If I select recover from a saved image when the computer restarts to load recovery environment I get a message unable to continue, missing device. Use repair disk.
If I pause the boot and select F11 (recovery) it doesn't work.
I have to boot off the repair disc to do a recovery.
When I reload from a saved image everything works again.
Thanks again
No wonder your system does not work. You have all "Dynamic" partitions. You cannot have more than 4 primaries - but normally you should have only 3 primaries and one exended which is a container for 24 additional logical drives (24 max. because then you ran out of letters).
What you need to do is get rid of 2 partitions (or at least one) and then reconvert the dynamics into primaries. You can do that with Partition Wizard - but for the free version you have to find Version 4.2. or 5.0. - their current version 5.2 does not have that function any more. Only 5.2 Pro has it.
Once you have done that, we need to convert one primary into an extended. But that we will see later.
What you need to do is get rid of 2 partitions (or at least one) and then reconvert the dynamics into primaries. You can do that with Partition Wizard - but for the free version you have to find Version 4.2. or 5.0. - their current version 5.2 does not have that function any more. Only 5.2 Pro has it.
Once you have done that, we need to convert one primary into an extended. But that we will see later.
Hello El Cobre, welcome to Seven Forums!
I've been fooling around with this for you and this is probably the reason the Recovery partition will not boot now; you had to have agreed to this to convert the HDD to Dynamic.
It says if this is done only the "current boot volume" will then be bootable.
I've been fooling around with this for you and this is probably the reason the Recovery partition will not boot now; you had to have agreed to this to convert the HDD to Dynamic.
It says if this is done only the "current boot volume" will then be bootable.
click to enlarge
Thanks for your replys.
Here is a snip of the drives set back to factory.
Apparently I unknowing changed the drive to dynamic.
When I shrank C: drive and created the new partition it said it was making the partition dynamic but apparently it meant the whole drive.
So... starting from scratch how can I take half the remaining space in C: drive and make a new partition/drive for a data drive and keep everything working?
As you can tell I am new to win7.
Thanks again for any help.
Here is a snip of the drives set back to factory.
Apparently I unknowing changed the drive to dynamic.
When I shrank C: drive and created the new partition it said it was making the partition dynamic but apparently it meant the whole drive.
So... starting from scratch how can I take half the remaining space in C: drive and make a new partition/drive for a data drive and keep everything working?
As you can tell I am new to win7.
Thanks again for any help.
Hello again, good to see you got it converted back, a few questions if I may ...
1) The 199MB "System" partition, is that how it came or did you create that?
2) The HP_Tools E:, did you convert that to FAT32 or did it come that way?
3) Will the Recovery D: boot now?
4) What/how did you get it converted back to Basic, Partition Wizard?
The way it is now, you have reached the 4 Primary partition limit imposed by Windows and no more Primary partitions can be created.
There is a way to convert the C: to an Extended partition so that Logical drives can be created; but you need to backup everything on C: to be on the safe side just in case before you do that. I have done only cursory simulations with converting a Windows 7 OS partition to an Extended and I have no guarantees it will not destroy your data in the process.
1) The 199MB "System" partition, is that how it came or did you create that?
2) The HP_Tools E:, did you convert that to FAT32 or did it come that way?
3) Will the Recovery D: boot now?
4) What/how did you get it converted back to Basic, Partition Wizard?
The way it is now, you have reached the 4 Primary partition limit imposed by Windows and no more Primary partitions can be created.
There is a way to convert the C: to an Extended partition so that Logical drives can be created; but you need to backup everything on C: to be on the safe side just in case before you do that. I have done only cursory simulations with converting a Windows 7 OS partition to an Extended and I have no guarantees it will not destroy your data in the process.
You start out again with 4 primaries. Your best bet is to convert the C partition to Logical before you shrink C and define an extended. Use Partition Wizard for the conversion (You find it in the Partition tab > Modify, but highlight C first). If you do not do that, you will again run into the dynamics.
Hmm, just saw that BFK posted the same thing. Missed that because it was on Page 2. Cannot hurt to have the confirmation - LOL.
Hmm, just saw that BFK posted the same thing. Missed that because it was on Page 2. Cannot hurt to have the confirmation - LOL.
I concur with Ted and Wolfgang: Boot PW CD, rightclick C>Modify>Convert to Logical, OK, Apply.
If this works and boots correctly, use Disk Mgmt to Shrink C to create new partition, or boot PW CD to rightclick C to Resize, make space for new Logical NTFS data partition.
Be aware that Win7 is now installed up on a Logical partition which cannot itself boot. But since the System Active first partition is booting Win7, this is allowed. You simply won't be able to recover the System MBR into Win7's own partition if ever need be until you convert it back to Primary. You will need the Primary System partition included in all backup images for this reason.
If this works and boots correctly, use Disk Mgmt to Shrink C to create new partition, or boot PW CD to rightclick C to Resize, make space for new Logical NTFS data partition.
Be aware that Win7 is now installed up on a Logical partition which cannot itself boot. But since the System Active first partition is booting Win7, this is allowed. You simply won't be able to recover the System MBR into Win7's own partition if ever need be until you convert it back to Primary. You will need the Primary System partition included in all backup images for this reason.
Thanks again for all the replys.
To answer questions from Bare Foot Kid this the way it came out of the box. I made an image with windows recovery/backup when I first got the pc. I was able to boot off the repair disk and recover the image. And yes everything works with this.
I will study your sugestions and give it a try. I still have to get partition wizzard.
Will post back later.
In light of what gregrocker said about booting , is this tth only option? I guess the recovery partition has to be primary also so it can boot.
To answer questions from Bare Foot Kid this the way it came out of the box. I made an image with windows recovery/backup when I first got the pc. I was able to boot off the repair disk and recover the image. And yes everything works with this.
I will study your sugestions and give it a try. I still have to get partition wizzard.
Will post back later.
In light of what gregrocker said about booting , is this tth only option? I guess the recovery partition has to be primary also so it can boot.
There is another way; have a look at Option Two of this tutorial at the link below, you could absorb the "199MB System" partition into the left side of the Windows C: partition then you could then use Windows disk management to shrink then create another partition to the right of C: that would be a little less risky.
Partition Wizard : Use the Bootable CD
Partition Wizard : Use the Bootable CD
Thanks
I will read the tutorial and get back.
Earlier it was mentioned that I might need version 5 or earlier of partition wizard so I am getting that now.
I will read the tutorial and get back.
Earlier it was mentioned that I might need version 5 or earlier of partition wizard so I am getting that now.
�� Quote: Originally Posted by El Cobre 
Thanks
I will read the tutorial and get back.
Earlier it was mentioned that I might need version 5 or earlier of partition wizard so I am getting that now.
I will read the tutorial and get back.
Earlier it was mentioned that I might need version 5 or earlier of partition wizard so I am getting that now.
What did you use to convert the HDD back to Basic, if you said earlier I missed it.
I reinstalled an image that I made with windows backup/recovery before I started changing anything.
�� Quote: Originally Posted by El Cobre I reinstalled an image that I made with windows backup/recovery before I started changing anything.
You're a smart person!
I think of it more like burnt too many times, but thanks.
Have you sorted how/if you're going to create another partition?
If you need to go from dynamic to basic again you or others may want to consider
Convert a Dynamic Disk to a Basic Disk
Post 85.
Brink has added a much more detailed and polished version of method 2 to the main tutorial.
Out of curiosity, how did your disk become dynamic in the first place?
Convert a Dynamic Disk to a Basic Disk
Post 85.
Brink has added a much more detailed and polished version of method 2 to the main tutorial.
Out of curiosity, how did your disk become dynamic in the first place?
Quote:
Out of curiosity, how did your disk become dynamic in the first place?
�� Quote: Originally Posted by El Cobre Thanks for your replys.
Here is a snip of the drives set back to factory.
Attachment 123102
Apparently I unknowing changed the drive to dynamic.
When I shrank C: drive and created the new partition it said it was making the partition dynamic but apparently it meant the whole drive.
So... starting from scratch how can I take half the remaining space in C: drive and make a new partition/drive for a data drive and keep everything working?
As you can tell I am new to win7.
Thanks again for any help.
Here is a snip of the drives set back to factory.
Attachment 123102
Apparently I unknowing changed the drive to dynamic.
When I shrank C: drive and created the new partition it said it was making the partition dynamic but apparently it meant the whole drive.
So... starting from scratch how can I take half the remaining space in C: drive and make a new partition/drive for a data drive and keep everything working?
As you can tell I am new to win7.
Thanks again for any help.
�� Quote: Originally Posted by whs Quote:
Out of curiosity, how did your disk become dynamic in the first place?
...
If there are already 4 partitions - windows disk management will tell you if you make another, it will be converted to Dynamic disk.
To answer Bare Foot Kid, yes I am going to create anothe partition. I am going to try both sugestions to see how they go. I am the type of person who has to physically do something to learn it. I want to experiment now before I get alot of data on the computer.
It is nice to experiment and see for you self to see how they react.
This has taught me alot. I tried five different backup/recovery programs to see which worked best on my computer. I have narrowed it down to two I like. Actually including the windows version I have three different backups of my system. Obviously I will have to settle on one going forward.
Sorry for the ramble. I will try the partitioning in the next couple days and post back the results.
I am in the Eastern time zone it it is getting late to partitioning. I make enough mistakes when I am fresh let alone late at night.
It is nice to experiment and see for you self to see how they react.
This has taught me alot. I tried five different backup/recovery programs to see which worked best on my computer. I have narrowed it down to two I like. Actually including the windows version I have three different backups of my system. Obviously I will have to settle on one going forward.
Sorry for the ramble. I will try the partitioning in the next couple days and post back the results.
I am in the Eastern time zone it it is getting late to partitioning. I make enough mistakes when I am fresh let alone late at night.
Yes SIW2 it did tell me. The problem was me not windows. I am not much on hard drives and perhaps didn't read close enough(lat at night again). I thought it was the partition not the whole drive it was changing.
I find it tough because I am just learning to admit I make mistakes. I guess if we never made a mistake we would never learn anything. The plus side is all I have learned over the last week. I can do recoverys in my sleep.
Anyway I appreciate all the responses . Hopefully this will be behinde me soon and I can move on.
I find it tough because I am just learning to admit I make mistakes. I guess if we never made a mistake we would never learn anything. The plus side is all I have learned over the last week. I can do recoverys in my sleep.
Anyway I appreciate all the responses . Hopefully this will be behinde me soon and I can move on.
No need to apologize for learning, especially since you already knew to back up the HD image which is more than 90% of us think ahead to do.
We see the Dynamic mistake all the time here. I almost chose it once myself - who wouldn't want their HD to be more "Dynamic."
In the future if you can't wait to ask here, just ask Google.
We see the Dynamic mistake all the time here. I almost chose it once myself - who wouldn't want their HD to be more "Dynamic."
In the future if you can't wait to ask here, just ask Google.
�� Quote: Originally Posted by Bare Foot Kid �� Quote: Originally Posted by El Cobre Thanks for your replys.
Here is a snip of the drives set back to factory.
Attachment 123102
Apparently I unknowing changed the drive to dynamic.
When I shrank C: drive and created the new partition it said it was making the partition dynamic but apparently it meant the whole drive.
So... starting from scratch how can I take half the remaining space in C: drive and make a new partition/drive for a data drive and keep everything working?
As you can tell I am new to win7.
Thanks again for any help.
Here is a snip of the drives set back to factory.
Attachment 123102
Apparently I unknowing changed the drive to dynamic.
When I shrank C: drive and created the new partition it said it was making the partition dynamic but apparently it meant the whole drive.
So... starting from scratch how can I take half the remaining space in C: drive and make a new partition/drive for a data drive and keep everything working?
As you can tell I am new to win7.
Thanks again for any help.
�� Quote: Originally Posted by whs Quote:
Out of curiosity, how did your disk become dynamic in the first place?
...
Greg, I think you are right. Most of us fell into that trap once - LOL.
The saga continues.
I set c drive to active then booted the partition wizard cd.
I deleted the 199 meg drive and expanded c drive to take up the free space.
When I booted the repair cd it started to load then flashed up the HP tools screen. There was no option to repair anything. I tried several boots but could never get the windows screen with the choices to repair or recover. I have a factory install so do not have an install disc.
I tried the recovery discs I made but they will only do the factory reinstall.
I seems like even with the repair disc it needs some files off the system partition.
I am in the process of rcovering from my image with one of the non windows programs. I cannot even get the windows recover image progam.
I was wondering if I made c drive active then did the startup repair before deleting the partition if it will work?
I will try that next.
Bye for now
I set c drive to active then booted the partition wizard cd.
I deleted the 199 meg drive and expanded c drive to take up the free space.
When I booted the repair cd it started to load then flashed up the HP tools screen. There was no option to repair anything. I tried several boots but could never get the windows screen with the choices to repair or recover. I have a factory install so do not have an install disc.
I tried the recovery discs I made but they will only do the factory reinstall.
I seems like even with the repair disc it needs some files off the system partition.
I am in the process of rcovering from my image with one of the non windows programs. I cannot even get the windows recover image progam.
I was wondering if I made c drive active then did the startup repair before deleting the partition if it will work?
I will try that next.
Bye for now
Quote:
if I made c drive active
�� Quote: Originally Posted by El Cobre The saga continues.
I set c drive to active then booted the partition wizard cd.
I was wondering if I made c drive active then did the startup repair before deleting the partition if it will work?
I will try that next.
Bye for now
I set c drive to active then booted the partition wizard cd.
I was wondering if I made c drive active then did the startup repair before deleting the partition if it will work?
I will try that next.
Bye for now
�� Note
Be advised: doing this will delete the boot files used to boot Windows, if you do this you will need to run a startup repair up to three ( 3 ) separate times with a system re-start after each repair to complete the process of re-creating the boot files on the Windows partition, you must do every step of Option Two to complete this process successfully.
See these tutorials below for how to do the startup repairs.
How to Run a Startup Repair in Windows
Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times
Try restarting then tap F8 key repeatedly to get into Advanced Boot Tools menu, choose Repair My Computer to run Startup Repair x3. Startup Repair
If the Repair console is not on F8 (as it should be having a separate boot partition) then Use ImgBurn at 4x speed to burn a Repair CD as it sounds like you were using something else:
System Repair Disc - Create
System Recovery Options
If the Repair console is not on F8 (as it should be having a separate boot partition) then Use ImgBurn at 4x speed to burn a Repair CD as it sounds like you were using something else:
System Repair Disc - Create
System Recovery Options
I guess I am not a jedi yet
I think I may be out of the woods.
I made c drive active and did the startup repair three times.
Now it will boot and work with the system partition inactive
I am now waiting while partition wizard deletes the partition and expands c drive.
I am not sure how the insert links with just the title like the others but in the link below, option 2 if I am not mistaken it says to delete partition and expand before doing the startup repair. I could be wrong as I get mixed up easily.
Report back later.
Partition Wizard : Use the Bootable CD
I think I may be out of the woods.
I made c drive active and did the startup repair three times.
Now it will boot and work with the system partition inactive
I am now waiting while partition wizard deletes the partition and expands c drive.
I am not sure how the insert links with just the title like the others but in the link below, option 2 if I am not mistaken it says to delete partition and expand before doing the startup repair. I could be wrong as I get mixed up easily.
Report back later.
Partition Wizard : Use the Bootable CD
Quote:
I am not sure how the insert links with just the title like the others
Thanks whs.
The system partition is gone and everything is working.
I am doing an image now before I split the partition so I can get back to this point if necessary.
I now have three primary partitions. When I split C drive can I make the new partition an extended partition?
The system partition is gone and everything is working.
I am doing an image now before I split the partition so I can get back to this point if necessary.
I now have three primary partitions. When I split C drive can I make the new partition an extended partition?
Quote:
I now have three primary partitions. When I split C drive can I make the new partition an extended partition?
�� Quote: Originally Posted by El Cobre Thanks whs.
The system partition is gone and everything is working.
I am doing an image now before I split the partition so I can get back to this point if necessary.
I now have three primary partitions. When I split C drive can I make the new partition an extended partition?
The system partition is gone and everything is working.
I am doing an image now before I split the partition so I can get back to this point if necessary.
I now have three primary partitions. When I split C drive can I make the new partition an extended partition?
If you use Windows disk management to shrink and create the new partition, it will default to an Extended partition.
How to Shrink a Partition or Volume in Windows 7
How to Create a New Partition or Volume in Windows 7
Okay, I finally made it.
The system partition is gone and the startup repair (3 times) worked.
I split C drive and created an extended partition.
I now have three primary partitions and one extended.
Plus everything works!
I want to thank everyone who posted comments and suggestions. I learned alot from this experience.
The system partition is gone and the startup repair (3 times) worked.
I split C drive and created an extended partition.
I now have three primary partitions and one extended.
Plus everything works!
I want to thank everyone who posted comments and suggestions. I learned alot from this experience.
Good work. Think of all that you have learned.
You can add as many Logical sub-partitions to the Extended as you wish (or there are letters left).
To expand the Extended use free Partition Wizard bootable CD.
If you post back a screenshot of your full Disk Mgmt drive map we can look it over for you.
You can add as many Logical sub-partitions to the Extended as you wish (or there are letters left).
To expand the Extended use free Partition Wizard bootable CD.
If you post back a screenshot of your full Disk Mgmt drive map we can look it over for you.
Good to see you got it sorted and thanks for the update.
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