Vista Partition Shrink Problem

mik_da_man

Hi,

I have a laptop running Vista Ultimate but need to install XP also.
It has a 320GB HDD
I had a check around and found the Shrink Partition utility.
Problem is that Vista will only free up 99GB on the primary partition but I need 180/190 GB Free for XP and the programs I need to run.

I have defragged the disk using windows Utility and PerfectDisk 2008 but there are some immovable files that will not let me gain any more shrink space.

I have a copy of XP Pro and am wondering if my only option is to wipe the laptop Install XP and then Vista Ultimate. Also I only have a Dell recovery CD for Vista so am wondering if I install XP will the dell cd work to install Vista correctly.

Any Help appreciated

Mik

Voodu Child

Vista has its own partitioning utility. The main limitation is that it's not very aggressive - it won't touch things like pagefile, shadow copy, system restore etc. It views these things as 'immovable' and hence limits the amount of partitioning you can do.

You can work around these things (delete the pagefile, turn off system restore etc) but I wouldn't recommend it unless
a) you know what you're doing, and
b) you've made a full backup of your important stuff. (this is pretty much a MUST anyway before you do any messing with partitions.)


Another option is to use something like gparted. There are various liveCD versions available, and if you've got something like a ubuntu LiveCD handy it should be on there too. Its much more aggressive than the Vista partition tool, so it'll definitely free up whatever space you want, but the flip side is that you'll likely need to use your Vista install disc to fix any damage its done (this is pretty simple, boot off the Vista disc and select 'repair' or some such.)

redhat_newbie

Here are the links to resized vista partition using GParted

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/using-gparted-to-resize-your-windows-vista-partition/

http://gparted-forum.surf4.info/viewtopic.php?id=431

mik_da_man

voodoo_child wrote: »

Vista has its own partitioning utility. The main limitation is that it's not very aggressive - it won't touch things like pagefile, shadow copy, system restore etc. It views these things as 'immovable' and hence limits the amount of partitioning you can do.

You can work around these things (delete the pagefile, turn off system restore etc) but I wouldn't recommend it unless
a) you know what you're doing, and
b) you've made a full backup of your important stuff. (this is pretty much a MUST anyway before you do any messing with partitions.)


Another option is to use something like gparted. There are various liveCD versions available, and if you've got something like a ubuntu LiveCD handy it should be on there too. Its much more aggressive than the Vista partition tool, so it'll definitely free up whatever space you want, but the flip side is that you'll likely need to use your Vista install disc to fix any damage its done (this is pretty simple, boot off the Vista disc and select 'repair' or some such.)

Cheers,

I have a good idea what I'm at and have turned the pagefile off for a short while and disabled System restore ect but still am not getting the shrinkage I need.

I'll have a look at gparted it has come up in a few searches so far.

mik_da_man

Cheers for the help - Gparted did the Job - Took about 1.5 Hours but it was shrinking a 320 GB Hd to 120 so not too bad I guess.
Now to get XP to recognise my hard drive - the fun goes on

Mik