At one point or another, every computer user would have had the thought of partitioning his or her hard drive. This could be done to organize the data and to put the new information in the partitioned drive or the user would wish to install another operating system in the other drive (for example XP and Vista or any other Operating System). Whatever the reason might be, it is important to know how one can partition their hard drive without having to lose all the data that is present in the drive. The following lines provide information on how can a hard drive be partitioned even when it already has the files in it.
1. Getting the tools for the job:
The first step involves downloading the tools that are required for partitioning. Moreover, the user would also require back up tools to create a copy of all the data in the drive. There are a number of easy download and easy install software available on the internet which can be used to do the job. For example, just type in partitioning tools or applications for hard drives and backup tools or applications for hard drives in any search engine to get a list of results. One can also go to a freeware website and then type the same queries and look at the results. Look for a tool which is mostly free and has good reviews stating the fact that users were able to partition their hard drive without having to experience loss of data on the computer. After it is found, download it and then install it on the computer.
2. Backing Up The Data:
First, run the backup software or tool that has been installed to back-up the entire hard drive content. The most used backup tools include a DVD or external hard drives (even flash drives) and this option can depend on the tool that is chosen by the user. The program would just ask for the drive that has to be backed up (or sometimes it automatically does the backup) and the user has to provide the location of where the backed up data has to go. It is important to follow the directions of the program as they are mentioned to make sure that a successful back-up is created. This would ensure that there is no data loss even if the partitioning doesn't go successfully as desired.
3. Partitioning the drives:
The hard drive partition software should be run and the number of partitions that are required should be selected. In case the user just wishes to organize the data, then two to three partitions would be more than enough to do the trick. However, if another operating system is going to be installed then it is a good idea to select three to four partitions with the space allotted accordingly. One thing to remember is that almost all programs which are going to be installed in the long run require that the user should install them in the drive that has the operating system. This thing should be kept in mind when partitioning the drives otherwise the user might have to think about re-partitioning or formatting sooner than he or she would have desired.
4. Getting the Partitions:
After selecting the desired partitions in the software, the user should wait for the work to be finished by the software. Then, the computer has to be restarted which can be done automatically or the user might have to go to Start menu and do the needful. In case the partitioning tool has worked well, the user could go into the Computer page and see the number of partitions that he or she had desired. The letters mentioned would be different, each representing a different drive.
5. Problems that can occur:
One problem could occur where the partitioning tool has accidentally or otherwise, deleted the data that was present in the drive. The backup tool was used for this very scenario and the tool should again be used if the data was lost or if the partitioning was not done correctly. Run the software again and select the backed-up data which would be then restored to the computer's hard drive.
6. Go back and redo the partitions:
As for the problems in partitioning or in case the number of drives weren't made as desired by the user, it is best to repeat the aforementioned step to partition the hard drive. If similar or any other problems are experienced while the formatting is being done, then it is best to get new partition software and then aim for better results with it. Aside from the name and the toolbars, it is possible that the aforementioned tools would work similarly for almost all types of backup and partitioning tools.
Things To Note:
There are some things, mentioned in the following lines, which should be noted before going through the procedure:
• It might take quite some time before the partitioning and even the back-up of the data is done. It is seen in most cases where the users have a large hard drive that is also full of a number of files. It is best to be patient with the whole procedure.
• Any program which doesn't provide the tag saying partitioning without any loss of data should be avoided. There are many programs which are just used for drive partitioning that are blank as they remove all the contents present in the hard drive. Always go for programs that cause partitioning without any data loss.
• Backing up of data shouldn't be ignored. Even though the steps give information on partitioning the hard drive without resulting in any form of loss of data, any accident or mishap can occur which could affect the stored data. Hence, whatever the scenario might be, it is important to use the backup tool beforehand.
• Follow the steps without any doubt and the partitioning of the drive would be done easily without having to worry about the data present in the hard drive.
Do you need more information on how to create partition?
I many more articles you might be interested in about this subject with step by step instructions and screen shots. for example this article on how to delete a partition on your hard drive.
My name is Mitz Pantic and I've been working with computers for over 25 years and love to teach people how to use their computers. Be sure to visit me at my computer tips website and say hello in the comments section.
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