1 Topic by JC52s

  • JC52s
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  • Registered: 2008-12-13
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Topic: Cannot resize C: drive

I guess I am missing a vital step! I am trying to resize my C: Drive. It is my Window Xp boot drive and formated NFTS, and I have unallocated space available next to the C partition. For some unknown reason I cannot get the C partition to grow into the unallocated space. I am using the live Gparted 0.3.9 on a Cd. I can get it to resize other partitions but not my C: partition. Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong? Please.

2 Reply by stormhead

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Re: Cannot resize C: drive

Hi!

Two possible reasons:
1. Your NTFS file system is not clean in some way - run chkdsk /f c: from the Windows "command prompt". You need to have administartive privileges on your Windows for this, and if Windows tells you that it can't check the file system right now and ask you to schedule a check for the next reboot, you should accept this offer.
2. Your free space lies inside an extended partition. In this case, you first have to shrink the extended partition, so the free space will lie outside this area.

3 Reply by class413

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Re: Cannot resize C: drive

Sometimes, running chkdsk under "safe mode" boot instead of normally booting seems to be more efficient.

A screenshot from GParted can give us a better idea on your partition status.

(Moved to the Live Media section)

*** It is highly recommended to backup any important files before doing resize/move operations. ***

4 Reply by tbomb

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Re: Cannot resize C: drive

I am experiencing the same issue. I was able to place unallocated space to the right of C:. I try to extend the partition and it doesn't allow me to. I am currently running the CHKDSK that you mentioned above.

5 Reply by gedakc

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Re: Cannot resize C: drive

If the C: partition is a primary partition, then the free space must be right beside the C: partition, and NOT in an extended partition.  If the free space is within the extended partition, you must shrink the extended partition so that the free space is outside the extended partition.  Then you should be able to grow the C: partition into the free space.

If, on the other hand, the C: partition is a logical partition (not likely), then the free space would need to be within the extended partition so that you could grow the C: partition into the free space.

6 Reply by tbomb

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Re: Cannot resize C: drive

Thanks gedakc! I guess its true that you learn something new everyday. You were correct in assuming the extended partition needed to be resized as well. Thanks for showing me the light.