Merging 2 partitions

[gxsaurav]

I just removed Linux from my computer, now I have 3 partitions with all having NTFS file system

1) Vista 15 GB
2) 8 GB empty partition
3) Rest files partition

I wanna merge the vista & 8 GB partition for a total of 23 GB partition, but the problem is Vista's partition is the boot parition & I don't wanna loose my OS.

How to do this safely?

[j1n M@tt]

hey man,u can merge dat 2 partitions(including boot) simply using Magic Partition....

[kalpik]

I thought you already merged your partitions!
http://www.thinkdigit.com/forum/show...&postcount=146

[Krazy_About_Technology]

well i tried it once but vista's inbuilt partition manager doesn't allows to change the boot partition size. System partition can be changed if its different from boot partition. You can use gparted live cd or the SUSE live cd to merge your partition. But even these sometimes have trouble resizing the first primary partition. Try it, its safe, it first runs a simulation and only does real resizing if everything is alright. But in anycase, keep the Ultimate boot cd handy to repair partition table in case of any problems.

[MetalheadGautham]

and I want to give saurav company

I have an ubuntu install.

My first two partitions are FAT23 with Win XP and NTFS with some user files respectively

I want to merge them without loosing data, and convert all to NTFS

Help Milega?(I want to try it from Ubuntu Feisty)

[kalpik]

Originally Posted by Krazy_About_Technology

well i tried it once but vista's inbuilt partition manager doesn't allows to change the boot partition size. System partition can be changed if its different from boot partition. You can use gparted live cd or the SUSE live cd to merge your partition. But even these sometimes have trouble resizing the first primary partition. Try it, its safe, it first runs a simulation and only does real resizing if everything is alright. But in anycase, keep the Ultimate boot cd handy to repair partition table in case of any problems.

Please suggest his something that runs from windows.. We wouldn't want him to get more frustrated by using more of Linux

[NucleusKore]

Yes ^+1

[littledrop]

partition magic is your friend

you can also try gparted if you don't have money

P.S. Backup is a must and do at your risk!!!

[The_Devil_Himself]

I recommend a reinstall it always work for me.

[Krazy_About_Technology]

Originally Posted by kalpik

Please suggest his something that runs from windows.. We wouldn't want him to get more frustrated by using more of Linux

Well, i just suggested what i used. I see technology as an enabler, something that i use for my own gains. So it doesn't matter to me who made what? as long as it works for me, i m on it. I've got a kind of Lin+Win = Win Win (dont confuse the context ) situation.

[Third Eye]

@Gxsaurav: First convert the 8 gb partition to NTFS and merge it with 15GB vista partition
by using Partition Magic 8(I think it doesn't work in Vista Use it in XP )

[kalpik]

Originally Posted by Krazy_About_Technology

Well, i just suggested what i used. I see technology as an enabler, something that i use for my own gains. So it doesn't matter to me who made what? as long as it works for me, i m on it. I've got a kind of Lin+Win = Win Win (dont confuse the context ) situation.

I know! But we are talking about GX here

[din]

@Krazy_About_Technology

Seems you missed this thread

That is what Kalpik and others meant lol.

@gx_saurav

I think partition manager will do it ? If you have no plan to buy, you can 'borrow' from someone for single use

[gxsaurav]

I already have partition magic 8.5 for Windows, so application is not a problem anymore.

When I selected to merge partitions in Partition magic, I selected the 8 GB partition which is a NTFS Partition the first one, with 15 GB vista partition which is the only OS & boot partition. PM 8.5 said it will copy files to some folder & then merger...but since it is a boot partition i m afraid of data loss.

Now here is the thing, I already have a Norton ghost disk image with me as the last resort, if my Vista refuses to boot I will simply delete both the 25 & 8 GB partition using PM 8.5 recovery CD, then make a big 23 GB partition in the available space & revert the ghost image...but this is the last resort.

I m going to take a risk, merging both partitions in PM 8.5 now....c ya in a while if my system is still in working condition.

[din]

@gx_saurav

I am not sure about Vista, but I have tried merging boot partition (XP) with another. Worked without any problem.It should not be a problem for Vista too, but again, not 100% sure.

[gxsaurav]

I backed up everything I could on my C: drive & have started the process in Paragon partition manager 8.5....

wish me luck, pray for me...c ya in few hrs

[Pathik]

^^ yup it ll work flawlessly.. just merge the other partition with the vista one..

[gxsaurav]

This is how it shows here... I selected first my vista parition & then on 2nd page my empty partition....





Gr8..i tried it, chewed half my fingers but nothing happened...

This is first page of partition manager 8.5, I selected my Vista partition here,



This is the 2nd page where I selected my 8 GB partition. On 3rd page it showed as I wanted but said the files are in use so it needs to do a reboot. I did that,,,& on boot this is the screen I got (Taken from phone)



It did the operation but nothing happened, I still had 2 partitions.

Now, when I try selecting my 8 GB partition in first page & then vista partition, it says "it's a boot partition which u r merging to non boot. You won't be able to boot"


how to do it now

[Pathik]

Try one thing, Merge both the partitions and Ignore the Boot errors.. Then pop in the Vista dvd and repair vista and rewrite the MBR with Vista's boot loader.

[gxsaurav]

Hmm...I hope there won't be data loss in this case...ok trying that.

I tried the above method...but nothing happened. It wiped my boot loader & I had to restore it using Vista DVD but still I was left with 2 partitions...

now going the long way. I m making a Disk image using backup & restore center of Vista on my external HD then format both Vista & 8 GB Partition, merge them,...reinstall vista then restore the disk image.

C ya all tomorrow

[gxsaurav]

I did it the long way...

I started Windows backup & restore center & made a complete replica image of my C drive which came out to be 10 GB on my external HD.

Then booted from Vista DVD, deleted & merged both the 15 GB & 8 GB partition to make a big 23 GB Partition.

Then using the Vista DVD, I reapplied the old backed up image & repaired the bootloader....

Vista to the rescue

[ax3]

so long way does work ......

pm didnt do it ..... right ........

[Krazy_About_Technology]

Very nice. Vista's Rescue mode is quiet useful, i myself repaired my system 2 times with it when i accidentally deleted linux partitions in the wrong way and was stuck with grub boot loader error. Have fun buddy

[ninad_xpress]

Use Partition Magic 8.05 & note that both the partitions should be in same format , i.e. in NTFS or FAT. The u'll be able to merge both partitions without any data loss.