Best Partitioning Software?

July 6, 2008

Can any of you experts out there recommend the best and/or professional software for

changing Windows XP hard drive partitions?

I've used Partition Magic 8 in the past, Disk crashes while sizing partitions with PM8

are rare, but they do happen.

What's the best? What do you experts use?

July 6, 2008

Re: Best Partitioning Software?

On Sat, 5 Jul 2008 22:44:42 -0400, "Toni" <Toni24@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Can any of you experts out there recommend the best and/or professional software for

> changing Windows XP hard drive partitions?

>

> I've used Partition Magic 8 in the past, Disk crashes while sizing partitions with PM8

> are rare, but they do happen.

>

> What's the best? What do you experts use?

I don't use any, because I've never needed to repartition. My view is

that if you plan your partitions well in the first place, and don't

over-partition, repartitioning should hardly ever be needed.

You can read my views on planning your partitions in this article I

recently wrote: http://www.computorcompanion.com/LPMArticle.asp?ID=326

--

Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

Please Reply to the Newsgroup

July 6, 2008

Re: Best Partitioning Software?

I use BootIt NG.

http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/bootit-next-generation.htm

--

Gary S. Terhune

MS-MVP Shell/User

http://grystmill.com

"Toni" <Toni24@yahoo.com> wrote in message

news:%23i0oSJx3IHA.4488@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

> Can any of you experts out there recommend the best and/or professional

> software for

> changing Windows XP hard drive partitions?

>

> I've used Partition Magic 8 in the past, Disk crashes while sizing

> partitions with PM8

> are rare, but they do happen.

>

> What's the best? What do you experts use?

>

July 6, 2008

Re: Best Partitioning Software?

Disk crashes can occur with any software--that's why you back up important

data before doing partition work. For what it's worth, I have used both PM8

and BootIt NG and both have worked flawlessly for me.

--

Regards

Ron Badour

MS MVP Shell User

"Toni" <Toni24@yahoo.com> wrote in message

news:%23i0oSJx3IHA.4488@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

> Can any of you experts out there recommend the best and/or professional

> software for

> changing Windows XP hard drive partitions?

>

> I've used Partition Magic 8 in the past, Disk crashes while sizing

> partitions with PM8

> are rare, but they do happen.

>

> What's the best? What do you experts use?

>

July 6, 2008

Re: Best Partitioning Software?

"Toni" <Toni24@yahoo.com> wrote in message

news:%23i0oSJx3IHA.4488@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

> Can any of you experts out there recommend the best and/or professional software

> for

> changing Windows XP hard drive partitions?

>

> I've used Partition Magic 8 in the past, Disk crashes while sizing partitions with

> PM8

> are rare, but they do happen.

>

> What's the best? What do you experts use?

I've used both of these:

Acronis Disk Director

http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/diskdirector/

BootIt Next Generation

http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/index.htm

--

Glen Ventura, MS MVP Windows, A+

http://dts-l.net/

http://dts-l.net/goodpost.htm

July 6, 2008

Re: Best Partitioning Software?

"Toni" <Toni24@yahoo.com> wrote in message

news:%23i0oSJx3IHA.4488@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

> Can any of you experts out there recommend the best and/or professional

> software for

> changing Windows XP hard drive partitions?

>

> I've used Partition Magic 8 in the past, Disk crashes while sizing partitions

> with PM8

> are rare, but they do happen.

>

> What's the best? What do you experts use?

>

I use Acronis Disk Director Suite 10

http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/diskdirector/

and have on rare occasions used BootIt NG.

http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/bootit-next-generation.htm

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Windows Desktop User Experience }

Conflicts start where information lacks.

http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm

How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

July 6, 2008

Re: Best Partitioning Software?

"Toni" <Toni24@yahoo.com> wrote in message

news:%23i0oSJx3IHA.4488@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

> Can any of you experts out there recommend the best and/or professional

> software for

> changing Windows XP hard drive partitions?

>

> I've used Partition Magic 8 in the past, Disk crashes while sizing

> partitions with PM8

> are rare, but they do happen.

>

> What's the best? What do you experts use?

>

Just remember that when resizing a windows partition, the partitioning

software cannot be implemented from windows. Rather, boot media with that

partitioning software is required. So, when using same partitioning

software, don't use the windows version for that purpose.

I used PM in the early days, and stopped around the time XP showed up.

Presently, I use partition commander within the boot manager called system

commander. Partition commander is also available as a standalone product.

V-com sold out to avanquest, be careful shopping for their other products as

I'm unfamiliar with those.

--

Dave

New drilling sites for oil offshore and other

sensitive places. Question is, will that oil

go here in the U.S., or someplace else for sale?

July 7, 2008

Re: Best Partitioning Software?

"Lil' Dave" <spamyourself@virus.net> wrote in message

news:O0i1HW33IHA.4332@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>

> Just remember that when resizing a windows partition, the partitioning

> software cannot be implemented from windows. Rather, boot media with that

> partitioning software is required. So, when using same partitioning software,

> don't use the windows version for that purpose.

Not true, in Acronis Disk Director you set your changes and a rebootis

required in order for it to do its task, which on rebooting is done before

Windows loads, and once completed boots to Windows.

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Windows Desktop User Experience }

Conflicts start where information lacks.

http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm

How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

July 7, 2008

Re: Best Partitioning Software?

"Brian A." <gonefish'n@afarawaylake> wrote in message

news:uiqku%2393IHA.4856@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> "Lil' Dave" <spamyourself@virus.net> wrote in message

> news:O0i1HW33IHA.4332@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>>

>> Just remember that when resizing a windows partition, the partitioning

>> software cannot be implemented from windows. Rather, boot media with

>> that partitioning software is required. So, when using same partitioning

>> software, don't use the windows version for that purpose.

>

> Not true, in Acronis Disk Director you set your changes and a rebootis

> required in order for it to do its task, which on rebooting is done before

> Windows loads, and once completed boots to Windows.

>

Betting its booting to an alternate OS, loading the partition manager,

getting the settings made previously, doing the partition change, then,

boots from XP AFTER the partitioning is completed. Or something along those

lines. Same story, different day.

Point being, doesn't occur in the XP windows environment. And, that's what

I said to begin with.

--

Dave

Speculation on a product or material that is

an obvious need, is not speculation per se

as there is no risk to the speculator.

Common were those selling food and other

supplies in the gold rush days.

In this case, its oil and its everyone who

bites the bullet. And most everyone has no gold

to be made, just business as usual.

July 7, 2008

Re: Best Partitioning Software?

Lil' Dave wrote:

> "Brian A." <gonefish'n@afarawaylake> wrote in message

> news:uiqku%2393IHA.4856@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>> "Lil' Dave" <spamyourself@virus.net> wrote in message

>> news:O0i1HW33IHA.4332@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>>>

>>> Just remember that when resizing a windows partition, the partitioning

>>> software cannot be implemented from windows. Rather, boot media with

>>> that partitioning software is required. So, when using same

>>> partitioning

>>> software, don't use the windows version for that purpose.

>>

>> Not true, in Acronis Disk Director you set your changes and a rebootis

>> required in order for it to do its task, which on rebooting is done

>> before

>> Windows loads, and once completed boots to Windows.

>>

>

> Betting its booting to an alternate OS, loading the partition manager,

> getting the settings made previously, doing the partition change, then,

> boots from XP AFTER the partitioning is completed. Or something along

> those

> lines. Same story, different day.

Sounds about right. Boots to something akin to Linux, I bet.

Kinda like what happens when you boot up Acronis True Image on its own boot

CD.

Or even when True Image is being used to restore the root drive's

C:\partition from a backup image, before finally finishing up and booting up

into Windows at the very end.

> Point being, doesn't occur in the XP windows environment. And, that's

> what

> I said to begin with.

> --

> Dave

>

> Speculation on a product or material that is

> an obvious need, is not speculation per se

> as there is no risk to the speculator.

> Common were those selling food and other

> supplies in the gold rush days.

> In this case, its oil and its everyone who

> bites the bullet. And most everyone has no gold

> to be made, just business as usual.

July 7, 2008

Re: Best Partitioning Software?

"Lil' Dave" <spamyourself@virus.net> wrote in message

news:%23qtfVT%233IHA.1428@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

> "Brian A." <gonefish'n@afarawaylake> wrote in message

> news:uiqku%2393IHA.4856@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>> "Lil' Dave" <spamyourself@virus.net> wrote in message

>> news:O0i1HW33IHA.4332@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>>>

>>> Just remember that when resizing a windows partition, the partitioning

>>> software cannot be implemented from windows. Rather, boot media with that

>>> partitioning software is required. So, when using same partitioning

>>> software, don't use the windows version for that purpose.

>>

>> Not true, in Acronis Disk Director you set your changes and a rebootis

>> required in order for it to do its task, which on rebooting is done before

>> Windows loads, and once completed boots to Windows.

>>

>

> Betting its booting to an alternate OS, loading the partition manager, getting

> the settings made previously, doing the partition change, then, boots from XP

> AFTER the partitioning is completed. Or something along those lines. Same

> story, different day.

>

> Point being, doesn't occur in the XP windows environment. And, that's what I

> said to begin with.

Not the way I read it.

<quote>

Just remember that when resizing a windows partition, the partitioning software

cannot be implemented from windows. Rather, boot media with that partitioning

software is required. So, when using same partitioning software, don't use the

windows version for that purpose.

</quote>

As I mentioned, worded differently:

The task is implemented by Disk Director while in Windows and then requires a

reboot in order to conduct the task. Alternate boot media is not required when

using the Windows version, it reboots when required, completes the task and

boots back to Windows. Hence, the Windows version can be used for the purpose

of repartioning, formatting, moving, etc.

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Windows Desktop User Experience }

Conflicts start where information lacks.

http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm

How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

July 7, 2008

Re: Best Partitioning Software?

"Ron Badour" wrote...

> Disk crashes can occur with any software--that's why you back up important

> data before doing partition work.

True.

We have a few WinXP laptops with the HD set as C: and D: partitions. The cluster size

for C: is 512bytes on them. I used Partition Magic to change the C: partition on one

drive to 4K clusters, and near the end of the operation PM crashed and the C: partition

was completely trashed.

I restored C: from a backup made just before changing the cluster sizes. The only thing

lost was time wasted. But I was hopong that there is a study or whatever of the

stability of partitioning software.

> For what it's worth, I have used both PM8

> and BootIt NG and both have worked flawlessly for me.

Thanks,

Toni

July 7, 2008

Re: Best Partitioning Software?

No independent body is going to give you a comparative analysis of

partitioning programs, and it would take an IMMENSE amount of money to wait

around for enough disk crashes to occur to be statistically significant. In

fact, I'd venture to say that it would take statistics from *all* of the

users of all the stand-alone partitioning software on the market from the

last 10 years to get to even close.

No, you'll have to rely on gossip, recommendations, ratings, etc.

--

Gary S. Terhune

MS-MVP Shell/User

http://grystmill.com

"Toni" <Toni24@yahoo.com> wrote in message

news:%23mE4BJF4IHA.4908@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

> "Ron Badour" wrote...

>> Disk crashes can occur with any software--that's why you back up

>> important

>> data before doing partition work.

>

> True.

>

> We have a few WinXP laptops with the HD set as C: and D: partitions. The

> cluster size

> for C: is 512bytes on them. I used Partition Magic to change the C:

> partition on one

> drive to 4K clusters, and near the end of the operation PM crashed and the

> C: partition

> was completely trashed.

>

> I restored C: from a backup made just before changing the cluster sizes.

> The only thing

> lost was time wasted. But I was hopong that there is a study or whatever

> of the

> stability of partitioning software.

>

>> For what it's worth, I have used both PM8

>> and BootIt NG and both have worked flawlessly for me.

>

> Thanks,

>

> Toni

>

July 8, 2008

Re: Best Partitioning Software?

"Brian A." <gonefish'n@afarawaylake> wrote in message

news:O0Kuie$3IHA.4272@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

> "Lil' Dave" <spamyourself@virus.net> wrote in message

> news:%23qtfVT%233IHA.1428@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>> "Brian A." <gonefish'n@afarawaylake> wrote in message

>> news:uiqku%2393IHA.4856@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>> "Lil' Dave" <spamyourself@virus.net> wrote in message

>>> news:O0i1HW33IHA.4332@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>>>>

>>>> Just remember that when resizing a windows partition, the partitioning

>>>> software cannot be implemented from windows. Rather, boot media with

>>>> that partitioning software is required. So, when using same

>>>> partitioning software, don't use the windows version for that purpose.

>>>

>>> Not true, in Acronis Disk Director you set your changes and a rebootis

>>> required in order for it to do its task, which on rebooting is done

>>> before Windows loads, and once completed boots to Windows.

>>>

>>

>> Betting its booting to an alternate OS, loading the partition manager,

>> getting the settings made previously, doing the partition change, then,

>> boots from XP AFTER the partitioning is completed. Or something along

>> those lines. Same story, different day.

>>

>> Point being, doesn't occur in the XP windows environment. And, that's

>> what I said to begin with.

>

> Not the way I read it.

> <quote>

> Just remember that when resizing a windows partition, the partitioning

> software cannot be implemented from windows. Rather, boot media with that

> partitioning software is required. So, when using same partitioning

> software, don't use the windows version for that purpose.

> </quote>

>

> As I mentioned, worded differently:

> The task is implemented by Disk Director while in Windows and then

> requires a reboot in order to conduct the task. Alternate boot media is

> not required when using the Windows version, it reboots when required,

> completes the task and boots back to Windows. Hence, the Windows version

> can be used for the purpose of repartioning, formatting, moving, etc.

Like DI 6.0/2002 of former days, its REbooting to an alternate OS, loading

the partition manager, getting the information from the XP partition current

filesystem location, doing the job instructed, bowing out, and booting the

operating system that normally occurs. The boot cue to the alternate OS is

deleted upon finish and out of the that OS to XP.

DOES NOT OCCUR IN WINDOWS XP ENVIRONMENT. Hope you heard me that time.

Same story, different day. SSDD.

--

Dave

Speculation on a product or material that is

an obvious need, is not speculation per se

as there is no risk to the speculator.

Common were those selling food and other

supplies in the gold rush days.

In this case, its oil and its everyone who

bites the bullet. And most everyone has no gold

to be made, just business as usual.

July 8, 2008

Re: Best Partitioning Software?

"Lil' Dave" <spamyourself@virus.net> wrote in message

news:u1JaWPL4IHA.3396@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> "Brian A." <gonefish'n@afarawaylake> wrote in message

> news:O0Kuie$3IHA.4272@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>> "Lil' Dave" <spamyourself@virus.net> wrote in message

>> news:%23qtfVT%233IHA.1428@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>>> "Brian A." <gonefish'n@afarawaylake> wrote in message

>>> news:uiqku%2393IHA.4856@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>>> "Lil' Dave" <spamyourself@virus.net> wrote in message

>>>> news:O0i1HW33IHA.4332@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>>>>>

>>>>> Just remember that when resizing a windows partition, the partitioning

>>>>> software cannot be implemented from windows. Rather, boot media with that

>>>>> partitioning software is required. So, when using same partitioning

>>>>> software, don't use the windows version for that purpose.

>>>>

>>>> Not true, in Acronis Disk Director you set your changes and a rebootis

>>>> required in order for it to do its task, which on rebooting is done before

>>>> Windows loads, and once completed boots to Windows.

>>>>

>>>

>>> Betting its booting to an alternate OS, loading the partition manager,

>>> getting the settings made previously, doing the partition change, then,

>>> boots from XP AFTER the partitioning is completed. Or something along those

>>> lines. Same story, different day.

>>>

>>> Point being, doesn't occur in the XP windows environment. And, that's what

>>> I said to begin with.

>>

>> Not the way I read it.

>> <quote>

>> Just remember that when resizing a windows partition, the partitioning

>> software cannot be implemented from windows. Rather, boot media with that

>> partitioning software is required. So, when using same partitioning

>> software, don't use the windows version for that purpose.

>> </quote>

>>

>> As I mentioned, worded differently:

>> The task is implemented by Disk Director while in Windows and then requires a

>> reboot in order to conduct the task. Alternate boot media is not required

>> when using the Windows version, it reboots when required, completes the task

>> and boots back to Windows. Hence, the Windows version can be used for the

>> purpose of repartioning, formatting, moving, etc.

>

> Like DI 6.0/2002 of former days, its REbooting to an alternate OS, loading the

> partition manager, getting the information from the XP partition current

> filesystem location, doing the job instructed, bowing out, and booting the

> operating system that normally occurs. The boot cue to the alternate OS is

> deleted upon finish and out of the that OS to XP.

>

> DOES NOT OCCUR IN WINDOWS XP ENVIRONMENT. Hope you heard me that time.

Even though the task is conducted in a different environment, IT IS

IMPLEMENTED IN THE XP ENVIRONMENT.

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Windows Desktop User Experience }

Conflicts start where information lacks.

http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm

How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

July 8, 2008

Re: Best Partitioning Software?

"Lil' Dave" <spamyourself@virus.net> wrote in message

news:u1JaWPL4IHA.3396@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> "Brian A." <gonefish'n@afarawaylake> wrote in message

> news:O0Kuie$3IHA.4272@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>> snip

>> As I mentioned, worded differently:

>> The task is implemented by Disk Director while in Windows and then requires a

>> reboot in order to conduct the task. Alternate boot media is not required when

>> using the Windows version, it reboots when required, completes the task and boots

>> back to Windows. Hence, the Windows version can be used for the purpose of

>> repartioning, formatting, moving, etc.

>

> Like DI 6.0/2002 of former days, its REbooting to an alternate OS, loading the

> partition manager, getting the information from the XP partition current

> filesystem location, doing the job instructed, bowing out, and booting the

> operating system that normally occurs. The boot cue to the alternate OS is

> deleted upon finish and out of the that OS to XP.

>

> DOES NOT OCCUR IN WINDOWS XP ENVIRONMENT. Hope you heard me that time. Same

> story, different day. SSDD.

Dave,

No one is arguing that point but you. What Brian is arguing (and the fact of the

matter) is that you stated in your original reply, and I quote:

" when resizing a windows partition, the partitioning software cannot be implemented

from windows. Rather, BOOT MEDIA with that partitioning software is REQUIRED."

(capitalization for emphasis, mine)

What Brian contested, which you are apparently not catching yet, is that BOOT MEDIA

is not needed....the process is initiated from Windows.....then carried out during

the reboot outside the Windows environment, as we all agree.

You assertion that boot media is required is incorrect.

"Hope you heard me that time" and I hope you still have a sense of humour. ;-)

--

Glen Ventura, MS MVP Windows, A+

http://dts-l.net/

http://dts-l.net/goodpost.htm

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