Windows Method for Merging Partitions - Partition Magic NOT Needed

[HartsVideo]

I have Windows X64 but I believe that this will work with a 32-bit OS.

I had 3 partitions (C, D and E) on my hard drive and I wanted to eliminate the 3rd one because it served no purpose and I needed more room in my 2nd partition. I thought that by deleting the 3rd partition, it would open or give the memory to the 2nd partition but it didn't do that. It only made the memory inaccessible.

The solution:

Any data in the partitions will be lost when they're merged so it has to be saved somewhere else first.

My E partition was inaccessible because I had already deleted it. I saved the data that was in partition D to another drive.

The next step is to go into Computer Management. To do this, right click on My Computer on your desktop, then click Manage. Double click on Disk Management. In the lower half of the screen, click on the partition that you want to delete and choose "Delete Logical Drive."

The next step is to merge the two partitions or create different sized partitions out of the memory that is available. To join the partitions, right click on one of the empty partitions and click "Make Logical Drive." It'll tell you how much free memory is available on the drive, click "OK" and the two partitions are merged. If you want to make 2 or more partitions, the same box is there for you to change the size of the partition and the remaining memory can be made into 2 or more partitions if you so want.

I now have 2 partitions that are accessible. My C partition remained intact since it wasn't involved. My D partition now contains all of the memory that was in both partitions.

I want to spread this information around as much as possible because it's the solution that Windows created and programs such as Partition Magic are making a fortune off of people not knowing it.

Denise

[HartsVideo]

Also . . . Just to caution that this can only be used to merge partitions starting from the back forward and can't be used to merge the C partition with other partitions without destroying the operating system. As I said in the original post:

My C partition remained intact since it wasn't involved.

[nic2k4]

If you use Windows RAID function, you can take any number of drives and turn them into one big one, JBOD style.

[HartsVideo]

A RAID array will spread the info out over a number of drives, not combine partitions.

This is a method to merge partitions in one single drive.

[jagabo]

So all you're doing is deleting two partitions and creating a new one?

[HartsVideo]

Yes, this is the way it works:

1. The files in both partitions will be deleted when they are merged so that you need to move the information from them into another partition or hard drive.

2. You cannot include your C drive or you will destroy your operating system (Windows, Linux, etc) and every program and file in your C drive.

3. This can only be used to merge partitions starting from the back forward, example:

Partition C
Partition D
Partition E
Partition F

3.a. You can combine partition E and F or D, E and F. You cannot combine partition D and E or D and F.

3.b. If you want to combine partitions D and E you need to first combine F and E to make E, then E and D to make D.

4. I believe that the number of partitions on a single drive is limited to 4 partitions.

All 4 points are very important to a successful merge of partitions without destroying your C drive.

This is technically not a merge in the true sense of the word but it's a round-about way of doing it and you will end up with merged partitions. You can also create new partitions by delegating Mb to up to 3 more partitions, C being your 4th. Do not include your C drive in any merge or partition using this method.

[jimmalenko]

This is technically not a merge in the true sense of the word

It's not a merge in any sense of the word ... merging IMHO would imply that at least some data would be retained.

What you're doing is obliterating two (or more) partitions, then creating one new partition in their place. The benefit of softwares such as Partition Magic is that you only have to blow away partition E (as per your initial scenario). You could retain all your data on D, and just make D bigger on the fly (eg. also take up the space formerly occupied by E).

[ahhaa]

just as a general fyi- the utility software that comes with today's hard drives (or can be downloaded free) will also rework partitions etc, and will hold the hand of first timers thru the process. All that is required is that one of your drives match the software makers logo.

[HartsVideo]

Partition Magic can do a lot of things besides join partitions. I found the method that I outlined above to work in the manner that I mentioned. I had three partitions and now I have two and I spent no money to accomplish this task. The method did exactly what I wanted it to do.

Call it what you will, if people are in the same predicament that I was in, this method will do for them as it did for me, which was to take 2 partitions and merge/connect/join (or any other word you choose to use) them.

I didn't "blow away" or "obliterate" any data on either partition because there was no data on them, nor will they if they follow the instructions. And I will stress again, for people reading this post, that all data must be removed from both partitions when following this method or it will be lost.

[jagabo]

I found the method that I outlined above to work in the manner that I mentioned.

Yes, but everyone already knew you could do that with Windows' disk manager. It's like saying you discovered that you could park your car yourself rather than paying a valet to park it for you.

[jimmalenko]

First let me preface my comments by saying that I'm glad you found a free method to achieve what you wanted achieve.

I didn't "blow away" or "obliterate" any data on either partition

No, and no-one questioned that - I was referring to the partitions, not the data.

Call me pedantic, but you didn't merge two partitions. You removed two partitions, and recreated 1.

Another thing going for Partition Magic et al is that you can resize the partition your OS resides on, without needing to reinstall or copy any data back. I have found this ability extremely useful on many occasions.

[tekkieman]

The gpartd LiveCD can do the same thing, and is free. Download the ISO, burn the CD, boot from the CD, and resize the existing partitions.

I used this method on my laptop to change the existing 100G partition to a 60G parttion, then created a new ext3 partition in the now unallocated space.

The ISO is a 55M download

[jimmalenko]

The gpartd LiveCD can do the same thing, and is free. Download the ISO, burn the CD, boot from the CD, and resize the existing partitions.

Thanks for the heads-up


I'll keep that one in the back pocket for work

[HartsVideo]

I had said:

Call it what you will, if people are in the same predicament that I was in, this method will do for them as it did for me, which was to take 2 partitions and merge/connect/join (or any other word you choose to use) them.

and you followed by saying:

Call me pedantic, but you didn't merge two partitions. You removed two partitions, and recreated 1.

So it looks to me like you're looking for an arguement for the sake of argueing and you're saying the exact same thing as I'm saying but with different words.

This thread is not about the name of the method, but what the method does. Only if you disagree that I had three partitions and I now have two, then your input would be beneficial to the thread.

Members of this forum, computer geeks and gurus might know about this method but most people don't. I want to bring it to their attention so that they will have another alternative. I think that I have done that and if someone Googles merge / join / remove / create partitions, this method will be a result to their search that they might be able to use if their circumstances meet the requirements of this method.

I never said that I "created" this method. In my first post, I specifically said that

it's the solution that Windows created

The information that I presented here about this method that Windows created is accurate.

[jimmalenko]

So it looks to me like you're looking for an arguement for the sake of argueing and you're saying the exact same thing as I'm saying but with different words.

No, just trying to let you know that what you're saying isn't what you're doing. You wouldn't be the first (and won't be the last) to come here raving about some "new" way of doing things because it is new to you. Gotta make sure that the information is correct and keep things in context.

[HartsVideo]

I believe this topic has run itself out so I won't respond to any more posts from this thread. People can read what's said here and decide for themselves if they would like to try Windows method of joining / mergining /combining/ connecting partitions or do it another way.