How Do I Set Up A Partition On My HDD For Windows Vista?

Vanchatron · 09-30-2007, 11:29 AM

I have 2 HDD's & am purchasing Windows Vista Home Premium tomorrow.

- 1st Hard Drive (40gb): XP Pro
- 2nd Hard Drive (320gb): Movies, Music, Games etc

As you can see, XP is installed on the smaller HDD & when I install Vista I want to install it on to the bigger HDD. The thing is, I already have around 150gb worth of media on the bigger HDD that I don't want to lose when I perform a clean install of Vista.

So I was thinking of doing the following:

- Partition the 320gb HDD
- Keep my media on one of the partitions
- Install Vista on the other Partition
- When Vista is installed, just move my media into the partition that Vista is installed on & delete the partition I just moved my media from.

Would this work? I really have no idea where to start when it comes to partitioning & I don't want to mess it up & lose all 150gb+ of media, so could do with some help regarding it, thanks.

**kodi** · 09-30-2007, 12:22 PM

What I would do is reduce one of the partitions you have now on the large drive, then create a new vista partition on the unallocated space (you need at least 15 gig for Vista) or move the contents of one partition to another then format that partition and use it for vista.
You will lose any data on the partition that you install Vista on

Vanchatron · 09-30-2007, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kodi

What I would do is reduce one of the partitions you have now on the large drive, then create a new vista partition on the unallocated space (you need at least 15 gig for Vista) or move the contents of one partition to another then format that partition and use it for vista.
You will lose any data on the partition that you install Vista on

I don't have any partitions set up at the moment, that's what I'm saying. I don't even know how to set up a partition.

dai · 09-30-2007, 12:29 PM

you need something like partition magic to set it up
you need to back up anything you do not wish to lose,before altering partitions as it's not unusal for something to go wrong

Vanchatron · 09-30-2007, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dai

you need something like partition magic to set it up
you need to back up anything you do not wish to lose,before altering partitions as it's not unusal for something to go wrong

But to backup I'll need 150gb worth of space (on another HDD) or CD's which I don't have, & if I did have that I wouldn't need to partition my HDD because I'd just back up all my files to the CD's or extra HDD.

dai · 09-30-2007, 12:40 PM

catch22
use a partition manger
and pray
the best option is another hard drive,they are cheap at present,i never had any problems with p/magic but a lot do
at least with vista they have included a p/manger as part of the op. system although it's no help to you at the moment
you could install it on the xp drive and save what you need to to larger drive
there are ways to get around installing xp after vista with a bit of messing around

Vanchatron · 09-30-2007, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dai

catch22
use a partition manger
and pray
the best option is another hard drive,they are cheap at present,i never had any problems with p/magic but a lot do
at least with vista they have included a p/manger as part of the op. system although it's no help to you at the moment
you could install it on the xp drive and save what you need to to larger drive
there are ways to get around installing xp after vista with a bit of messing around

I think I'm just gonna go with another HDD like you said. I'll probably end up getting an external one, thanks.

**kodi** · 09-30-2007, 02:18 PM

You can still use my suggestion, go to disk management and right click and select shrink volume, select the amount you want to shrink and then make a new partition with the unallocated space

Vanchatron · 09-30-2007, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kodi

You can still use my suggestion, go to disk management and right click and select shrink volume, select the amount you want to shrink and then make a new partition with the unallocated space

I tried right clicking on a drive from within Disk Management but there's no option for "shrink volume"

If possible, is there any chance you could type out some steps on how to do it properly because I REALLY don't want to mess anything up. I'd obviously like to save my cash & not buy an extra HDD but if I can't do any of this technical stuff properly without losing my data, I'll have to go with the extra HDD option.

**kodi** · 09-30-2007, 02:59 PM

What options do you get and is shrink volume there but greyed out?
My drive that I tried is already partitioned so I get different options.

Vanchatron · 09-30-2007, 03:04 PM

See attached jpeg.

Vanchatron · 09-30-2007, 03:18 PM

Just a quick note/update - I now have Norton Partition Magic installed on my PC just incase I go ahead with the Partition. I found it lying amongst some CD's that came with my brother's Laptop.

**kodi** · 09-30-2007, 03:21 PM

Looks like it's partition magic for you.
Just be careful using it and double check before you commit to the changes

Vanchatron · 09-30-2007, 03:31 PM

OK let me get this straight as I need to know everything before making any changes to my HDD.

I'm going to perform the following steps when installing Vista:

1) Make 2 partitions on the 320gb HDD using Norton Partition Magic

2) Format drive C which has XP on it

3) Set the BIOS to boot from CD & insert the Vista CD

4) Perform a clean install of Vista on 1 of the newly made partitions on the 320gb HDD

5) Once Vista is installed, just transfer the 150gb worth of data from 1 of the partitions into the partition which Vista is installed on, then delete the partition from which the data came. Is this easy to do? E.g. When Vista is installed, is it just a case of dragging & dropping files from 1 partition to another, even though only 1 of the partitions has Vista installed?

Vanchatron · 09-30-2007, 04:28 PM

According to this picture it seems that performing a Clean install of Vista will not enable me to keep my files intact (see custom)

But... Even though the picture says "This option does not keep your files" the person who made the guide said the following:

Quote:

Even though this type of installation preserves your existing data, things can go wrong so make sure you back up your data and jot down your application settings before you proceed

So what is it? Does it save my data or doesn't it?

**kodi** · 09-30-2007, 05:00 PM

Why are you formatting C and removing XP?
You will be able to save your data just make sure you install Vista to an empty partition (when you format the new partition give it a name so as you will know exactly what partition to install Vista on)

dai · 09-30-2007, 05:02 PM

the upgrade will leave your files intact it will notify you of anything incompatible at the start
the shrink volume is part of vista,i don't think it is in xp

Vanchatron · 09-30-2007, 05:11 PM

What I'm trying to say is, do I even NEED to make a new partition in order to install Vista on to? The 320gb HDD which contains my music etc only has 1 partition. Would it be OK to CLEAN install Vista on to here leaving my music etc intact?

Vanchatron · 09-30-2007, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kodi

Why are you formatting C and removing XP?
You will be able to save your data just make sure you install Vista to an empty partition (when you format the new partition give it a name so as you will know exactly what partition to install Vista on)

I'm removing XP because once Vista is installed I'll have no use for it anymore.

**kodi** · 09-30-2007, 05:33 PM

Vista will delete any data on the partition it is installing to.
Why not install vista to the C drive
If you have older hardware or programs you may need XP for them to run,that is the only reason I kept XP

09-30-2007, 11:29 AM	#1 (permalink)
Vanchatron Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: UK Posts: 436 OS: XP Home	How Do I Set Up A Partition On My HDD For Windows Vista? I have 2 HDD's & am purchasing Windows Vista Home Premium tomorrow. - 1st Hard Drive (40gb): XP Pro - 2nd Hard Drive (320gb): Movies, Music, Games etc As you can see, XP is installed on the smaller HDD & when I install Vista I want to install it on to the bigger HDD. The thing is, I already have around 150gb worth of media on the bigger HDD that I don't want to lose when I perform a clean install of Vista. So I was thinking of doing the following: - Partition the 320gb HDD - Keep my media on one of the partitions - Install Vista on the other Partition - When Vista is installed, just move my media into the partition that Vista is installed on & delete the partition I just moved my media from. Would this work? I really have no idea where to start when it comes to partitioning & I don't want to mess it up & lose all 150gb+ of media, so could do with some help regarding it, thanks.

09-30-2007, 12:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
kodi Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 7,407 OS: Windows 7-Ultimate 64 Bit My System	Re: How Do I Set Up A Partition On My HDD For Windows Vista? What I would do is reduce one of the partitions you have now on the large drive, then create a new vista partition on the unallocated space (you need at least 15 gig for Vista) or move the contents of one partition to another then format that partition and use it for vista. You will lose any data on the partition that you install Vista on __________________ Brian

09-30-2007, 12:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,705 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: How Do I Set Up A Partition On My HDD For Windows Vista? you need something like partition magic to set it up you need to back up anything you do not wish to lose,before altering partitions as it's not unusal for something to go wrong __________________

09-30-2007, 12:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,705 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: How Do I Set Up A Partition On My HDD For Windows Vista? catch22 use a partition manger and pray the best option is another hard drive,they are cheap at present,i never had any problems with p/magic but a lot do at least with vista they have included a p/manger as part of the op. system although it's no help to you at the moment you could install it on the xp drive and save what you need to to larger drive there are ways to get around installing xp after vista with a bit of messing around __________________

09-30-2007, 02:18 PM	#8 (permalink)
kodi Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 7,407 OS: Windows 7-Ultimate 64 Bit My System	Re: How Do I Set Up A Partition On My HDD For Windows Vista? You can still use my suggestion, go to disk management and right click and select shrink volume, select the amount you want to shrink and then make a new partition with the unallocated space __________________ Brian

09-30-2007, 02:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
kodi Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 7,407 OS: Windows 7-Ultimate 64 Bit My System	Re: How Do I Set Up A Partition On My HDD For Windows Vista? What options do you get and is shrink volume there but greyed out? My drive that I tried is already partitioned so I get different options. __________________ Brian

09-30-2007, 03:18 PM	#12 (permalink)
Vanchatron Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: UK Posts: 436 OS: XP Home	Re: How Do I Set Up A Partition On My HDD For Windows Vista? Just a quick note/update - I now have Norton Partition Magic installed on my PC just incase I go ahead with the Partition. I found it lying amongst some CD's that came with my brother's Laptop.

09-30-2007, 03:21 PM	#13 (permalink)
kodi Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 7,407 OS: Windows 7-Ultimate 64 Bit My System	Re: How Do I Set Up A Partition On My HDD For Windows Vista? Looks like it's partition magic for you. Just be careful using it and double check before you commit to the changes __________________ Brian

09-30-2007, 03:31 PM	#14 (permalink)
Vanchatron Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: UK Posts: 436 OS: XP Home	Re: How Do I Set Up A Partition On My HDD For Windows Vista? OK let me get this straight as I need to know everything before making any changes to my HDD. I'm going to perform the following steps when installing Vista: 1) Make 2 partitions on the 320gb HDD using Norton Partition Magic 2) Format drive C which has XP on it 3) Set the BIOS to boot from CD & insert the Vista CD 4) Perform a clean install of Vista on 1 of the newly made partitions on the 320gb HDD 5) Once Vista is installed, just transfer the 150gb worth of data from 1 of the partitions into the partition which Vista is installed on, then delete the partition from which the data came. Is this easy to do? E.g. When Vista is installed, is it just a case of dragging & dropping files from 1 partition to another, even though only 1 of the partitions has Vista installed?

09-30-2007, 05:00 PM	#16 (permalink)
kodi Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 7,407 OS: Windows 7-Ultimate 64 Bit My System	Re: How Do I Set Up A Partition On My HDD For Windows Vista? Why are you formatting C and removing XP? You will be able to save your data just make sure you install Vista to an empty partition (when you format the new partition give it a name so as you will know exactly what partition to install Vista on) __________________ Brian

09-30-2007, 05:02 PM	#17 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,705 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: How Do I Set Up A Partition On My HDD For Windows Vista? the upgrade will leave your files intact it will notify you of anything incompatible at the start the shrink volume is part of vista,i don't think it is in xp __________________

09-30-2007, 05:11 PM	#18 (permalink)
Vanchatron Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: UK Posts: 436 OS: XP Home	Re: How Do I Set Up A Partition On My HDD For Windows Vista? What I'm trying to say is, do I even NEED to make a new partition in order to install Vista on to? The 320gb HDD which contains my music etc only has 1 partition. Would it be OK to CLEAN install Vista on to here leaving my music etc intact?

09-30-2007, 05:33 PM	#20 (permalink)
kodi Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 7,407 OS: Windows 7-Ultimate 64 Bit My System	Re: How Do I Set Up A Partition On My HDD For Windows Vista? Vista will delete any data on the partition it is installing to. Why not install vista to the C drive If you have older hardware or programs you may need XP for them to run,that is the only reason I kept XP __________________ Brian