Extending partition in Vista

[highfield1]

Due to the burgeoning and uncontrolable winxsx folder (why doesn't anyone warn you about this?) my C: partition on my Vista Business powered laptop is perilously close to capacity. All of my files and folders are on the D: partition.

I tried to extend the C: partition using the disk management function in Vista by contracting the D: partition, and trying to extend the C: partition, but the extend function was greyed out. I read that if the free space is not directly to the right of the C: particton it wouldn't work: so I created a new partition, moved all my files and folders there, deleted the D: partiton and renamed the new particion D: This meant that the free space was direcly to the right of the C: partition. The extend option is still greyed out for the C: partition - but even worse I am now unable to extend the D: partion into the free space, so my D: drive is now also close to capacity.

I have tried managing the partitions in safe mode, but the extend function is still greye out. I am at my wits end - I have about 200MB on my C: drive left, and only 3 GB on my D: drive. I have about 20GB of free, unformatted space!

[Steve R Jones]

Vista has a "shrink" function but does not have a partition extender.(meaning you can not make C larger)...You'd need a program like Partition Magic.

[highfield1]

Vista is not supported by Partition Magic. Also - Vista DOES have a partition extender. I was able to use it to return my D: drive to its former size before I actually moved it. It was only after I performed the clever (I was told) acrobatics to put the space next to the C: drive that the extend option was greyed out - it is there, but it is greyed out. And for the C: drive - there is an extend function, but it is greyed out.

There is actually quite a lot out there on the web about extending the C: drive in Vista, and many people have been able to do it successfully with no problem. It's just a few like me that report the facility is greyed out, and I can't find a saticfactory answer.

Because the winxsx folder keeps growing there are many people in my position. It is ridiculous that Microsoft does not recognise this a a major problem. What are we supposed to do when the C: drive reaches it's capacity? Throw it away?

[highfield1]

Just to support the case see these threads:

Extending partition with Disk Management - Vista Forums

Extending Vista partition - Vista Help

There's lot's of this kind of stuff out there, but I can't find a resolution.

[Steve R Jones]

From Vista's Help File:

[

B]Extend a Basic Volume[/b]For logical drives, boot, or system volumes, you can extend the volume only into contiguous space and only if the disk can be upgraded to a dynamic disk. For other volumes, you can extend the volume into noncontiguous space, but you will be prompted to convert the disk to dynamic.

I would take it to mean the System drive needs to be converted to a Dynamic Disk.

There's another section called:

Change a Basic Disk into a Dynamic Disk

Backing up important data before proceeding goes without saying...

[BipolarBill]

Acronis Disk Director supports Vista and doesn't force Dynamic volumes down your throat.

Acronis Disc Director Suite 10.0 Home

[Keymaker]

Free. GParted -- Download

Make sure you back up data first!

[BipolarBill]

Isn't that Linux only? I believe that it has to be compiled. I don't think that it comes in ISO or floppy image either...

I think that it may make Vista partitions go kablooey too.

[Keymaker]

Why don't you read the web site info...


OP: This will give you a little info. on the use of a live CD use. The site is on how to create a dual boot of vista/XP, but the info. may be helpfull to you. How to dual-boot Vista with XP - step-by-step guide with screenshots

[BipolarBill]

I did read it. It said nothing about supporting Vista. The only "platform independent" download is a tar file.