How to safely partition hard drive in Windows98 3

[serenader]

Basically what I would like to know how to partition my hard
drive in Windows98. Using ISP AOL. Using the command fdisk
from the DOS startup scares me that I might format the entire hard drive and wipe out everything on it. Advice
appreciated.

jrmrbbns@aol.com

 

[Accessdabbler]

Not sure what ISP AOL has to do with partitioning....

If your drive currently has 1 partition (as most do) and you just want to split it into 2 or more partitions without losing data you're going to need to use Partition Magic. FDISK will wipe out your drive.

I've never used Partition Magic but I'd be scared to use it on a drive with crucial files on it. I'd be sure to backup your most critical files before you re-partition it with ANY partitioning software.

 

[edfair]

Partition magic is good. Haven't lost anything yet. but back up any critical data.
You have some misconceptions. Fdisk can create partitions if there is unpartitioned space available. Format is a separate operation that makes partitioned space usable.
Fdisk can also delete partitions , but it won't do it by itself. And it warns you before it wipes stuff out.

You haven't said what you want to do, other than partition the drive. If it is in use now it is already partitioned. Ed Fair
unixstuff@juno.com
Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply. Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.

 

[Accessdabbler]

I assumed that with 1 partition, there would be no unpartitioned space.

 

[edfair]

My assumption also. So serenader will have to either resize the 1st partition first, or wipe everything out and reload to accomplish it. You gave good advice, I was just expanding on it and trying to see what is really needed. Ed Fair
unixstuff@juno.com
Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply. Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.

 

[BFOJ]

You can use FDISK to show you whether there is any unpartitioned space available.

 

[deego]

I have used Partition Magic on many occassions with great success. I have used it on different os's ie WinMe XP and Linux and found it both easy and safe to use. Of course, you should never attempt any major reconstruction of your HD without first backing up. ( I can recommend Drive Image also from PowerQuest for this )
FDISK is fine for a virgen disk but should not be used at all where you want to keep data on the HD. In fact, I found Partition Magic to be more powerful and successful than FDISK once on a HD where FDISK could not recognise a previous UNIX partition - Partition Magic had no difficulty and the problem was sorted.
As Partition MAgic runs in Windows you must obviously have at least 1 partition and windows loaded - you cannot partition a virgen HD with it.