NFT: Computer partition question

Not sure why, I have some gut instinct that tells me that hard drives like it better if there is some unused space. But... SSD drives are cheap, maybe just buy a 500gb drive for C: and a 2tb drive for D: ? 100gb is small for a C: partition.

with a windows computer in 5 or 6 years but you can move applications after you install them, so as a short-term fix even if you have to install it on your c partition, google it, it's very simple to move it to D after install.

In comment 15224862 pjcas18 said:

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with a windows computer in 5 or 6 years but you can move applications after you install them, so as a short-term fix even if you have to install it on your c partition, google it, it's very simple to move it to D after install.

I found that option earlier today and moved what I could. However, many programs like Norton 360, Acronis, etc. are "grayed out" with no option to move them.

I suspect they’re separate physical drives. A fast 100GB SSD being your C: drive, and a standard hard disk being your D:.

I'm taking an educated guess here. Either

1. The computer was previously used and the owner choose to partition it; The C: drive for the OS and the D: drive for everything else including Program Files. If thats the case just wipe the disk, reparation with a single partition and reinstall Windows. With Windows 10 I can't think of why you'd want multiple partitions.

2. As Jim in Faifax said you may have two Physical disks, a small SSD and a large HDD. If thats the case I suggest you BRING IT BACK ! Any computer sold today should only have SSD's as internal drives. Anything else and you're letting yourself in for a lot of pain.

because I just fixed my wife's nephew's Del G7 laptop with a similar configuration.

The G7 had a small C:drive (110 gig), and a large D:drive (1 gig). Now, in this case, the hard drive on D was a regular SATA hard drive, with the C being an M.2 2280 Solid-State Drive.

Since I don't have a USB adapter for a M.2 for cloning, I opted to replace the regular HD with a conventional SSD since I have a USB Hard Drive Adapter. You can get the Adapter and a decent SSD on Amazon.

So, I got the new SSD, hooked it up to the laptop, and cloned the C: Drive. Remember, I did NOT have anything on the D: Drive, so in your case you should back up everything onto an external HD using some backup software. Then, move everything possible back to the C: Drive before cloning.

Many SSD's will come with Cloning software. If for some reason yours does not, the one I used to clone is aomei-backupper version 5.8 (the newest one isn't free, even though it claims it is for basic gpt cloning. You can find this version using google).

Then, you'll need to expand your C: drive after cloning, but that might be a problem if other drives are in the way (oh, that Windows 10!). You can move drives on that partition so that the unallocated space is next to the C: drive for expansion (I leave the drives on the left of the C: Drive alone, just moving the ones to the right of it to the left until the C: Drive is next to the Unallocated space...just MAKE SURE that you're only playing with the cloned drive, not the original!

The software I use for moving drives around the same partition is free IM-Magic Partition Resizer Free .

Once you're done, shut down, go into the bios and change the boot drive to the new SSD. If everything is screwed up, well, just re-install windows (you should have a re-install jump drive setup for that. If everything works, you can re-format the small drive. As always, read the documentation for any utilities you use, it saves a lot of time and stress.

And no, I have no idea who's bright idea it was to put a micro M2 drive on these things

anything about separate drives in the specs. It's brand new (about 5 months old now). I am going to check with Dell tech support. It's still under warranty.

Thanks, John (and everyone). I will take a look. Sounds ridiculous for a $1000+ computer.

If you can bring it back, that's better than going through all the hassle. When you buy these things, it's a good idea to get the full specs. No one should be selling a PC that has only 100 gigs for the primary drive, even if it's partitioned this way. The absolute minimum should be 250 gigs, though I think 500 gigs is best for a primary drive in a 2 drive situation.

I'm not impressed with regular laptops, in any case. I suggest getting used business class laptops from a reliable source. The new laptops cut all sorts of corners, even on the expensive ones.

For example, I'm typing this on a Thinkpad X200 business class laptop from 2008. Damn thing runs like a tank, and is easy to get parts and fix. Dell, Lenovo and others don't play games with businesses, you get reliable stuff from business class.

Oh, one other thing...if you clone, make sure to turn off bitlocker first on the original drive.

from when I bought it. After googling a bit, I bet it has two drives. Damn. Live and learn.

Make sure all other programs are installed on the D drive/partition. If it is a desktop. Spend another 60 on a 500GB SSD and install windows from that drive eventually.

In comment 15225131 AnnapolisMike said:

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Make sure all other programs are installed on the D drive/partition. If it is a desktop. Spend another 60 on a 500GB SSD and install windows from that drive eventually.

Yeah, that's probably what I will do. I have been able to free up about 20 more gigs (my son had Steam installed on the C: drive). I have some programs on the D: drive now, but seems that some don't give you the option to install anywhere else. I have to google more.

In comment 15225135 Rick5 said:

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In comment 15225131 AnnapolisMike said: Quote: Make sure all other programs are installed on the D drive/partition. If it is a desktop. Spend another 60 on a 500GB SSD and install windows from that drive eventually. Yeah, that's probably what I will do. I have been able to free up about 20 more gigs (my son had Steam installed on the C: drive). I have some programs on the D: drive now, but seems that some don't give you the option to install anywhere else. I have to google more.

Get steam and any other programs of significance over to the D drive.