Posted: 5/4/2001 11:26:39 AM EDT
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Ok, I want to create a partition on my hard drive. Can I do this without reformatting the drive? Please answer in lowest common denominator terms. I'm not that computer literate. I usually go by the rule that if I can't fix something with a DOS command, then it's time to get the screwdrivers out. |
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libertynews, I think I have a bunch of screwed up stuff on my hard drive. Some of it is from when I tried to switch to Earthlink. I've got some minor glitches here and there and the whole system is running slow. What I want to do is create a partition to back up all the stuff that I don't have backup disks for, then reformat the C drive and reinstall Windows and AOL. Then reinstall all of the other programs on the D drive, leaving nothing but Windows, AOL, and IE on the C drive. I don't know if that's going to work, but I don't know what else to do. If that don't fix it, then I'll get out the screwdrivers and see if it's something mechanical.[>:/] |
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Ok, GovtThug, a couple things to think about. Avoiding a format is not really a good thing. There is no disk utility out there that does a better job than FORMAT. It cleans up fragmented drives completely and identifies bad sectors to prevent future use. The best part is reloading Windows from scratch because it installs a clean registry from scratch. This will speed up your systems like you stuck a turbo charger in it. I typically format mine once a year just for those reasons. Make sure you look to see what model video, sound and network cards you have so you can get the correct driver since Microsloth Wilblows 95/98 doesn't always detect them like it should. I'll be glad to give you help if you need it. And the advice to backup before you do anything is well advised. If your not backing up the important shit at least once a month, then your exposing yourself like you were having sex with a drunken homo with AIDS. Note: I do computers for a living. |
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For what you want to do, there usually is not enough space to use...we are talking KB range...at the tail in of a drive. But having partition magic on a bootable floppy is not a bad thing. Ok...first backup everything on disks.... you only need to back up data, documents, maybe email address book, and bookmarks. if you have to, pictures (these take alot of space), and anything else you deem important. dont worry about programs, you will reinstall these. for future longterm backups and other fun stuff, and with norton deluxe you can make bootable viruse cd's (always a nice thing) you might consider a cdrw. You could also get another hard drive, prices are dropping and they are in the same range as the cdrw, you can then do a new installation with that and set your old hard drive as the second drive and copy the info you want at your leisure, then reformat that one. How big is your current drive? Doing a complete repartitioning and reformating and then complete reinstalltion would be good to get everything right again. I recently did that on my wifes and my computers. To repeat deerslayer, get the important settings from windows first, modem, sound, and video, plus anyothers u may have. if you have a nic get that to...and the settings of the nic if you have one. If you have any questions you can post here or email me. I have a "slight" background in this kinda stuff. hope this helps. I Love2shoot |
| I am no computer expert, but what I found running Microsoft Windows 95/98, if you have broken chains on your hard disk, it could cause slow boot-up/shut-downs. You may want to run SCANDISK with the "thorough" option until you get no more messages that indicates broken chains. Try the easiest thing first. Depending on how big your hard disk is, it could take 2-3 hours. I usaully start mine before I go to sleep, and he next morning its fixed. Good luck. |