Hey, im planning on reinstalling my os and startin anew (restarting) .......
And i was wondering if i could create a new partition on my single hardrive pc and ove the files i want to the new partion? and delete the other.
I would like to know how to do this and even if it's possible.
Thankyou,
Ghostboy 
The only way to possibly do it is to merge the two partitions using Partition Magic and then reinstall the OS without formatting. But then, its not a clean way of reinstalling. I actually prefer to have 2 partitions- one containing the OS and the other my Data so that I can always reformat and reinstall if anything goes wrong without the fear of losing data.
Or just backup all your files to a DVD or cd, delete all existing partitions, create single partition during installation and then install OS and copy back your data.
What I did was to create a second partition on my HDD with Partition Magic. Then move all of the flies that I wanted to keep to that partition ie My Documents etc.
Then reinstall on the primary partition- this will delete all the data on the partition holding the system but keep the new partition. Once this is done you can go back into partition magic and merge the two partitions. This merge function is non-destructive therefore your files should all be safe.
The only way to possibly do it is to merge the two partitions using Partition Magic and then reinstall the OS without formatting. But then, its not a clean way of reinstalling. I actually prefer to have 2 partitions- one containing the OS and the other my Data so that I can always reformat and reinstall if anything goes wrong without the fear of losing data.Or just backup all your files to a DVD or cd, delete all existing partitions, create single partition during installation and then install OS and copy back your data.
Well the thing is that i have a crapy pc, only 1 hardrive, well then again it's not a bussiness pc.
And i cannot write cd's with my cd drive/reader (blame my dad, my pc is like a bunck of spare parts.)
What I did was to create a second partition on my HDD with Partition Magic. Then move all of the flies that I wanted to keep to that partition ie My Documents etc.Then reinstall on the primary partition- this will delete all the data on the partition holding the system but keep the new partition. Once this is done you can go back into partition magic and merge the two partitions. This merge function is non-destructive therefore your files should all be safe.
I think I'll go with your way. I'll create a new partition and move my wanted files to there. And then I what? I merge the partitions? i have one partition; os and all. so why would i merge them? i would simply delte the old partition, wright?
EDIT: NVM, i reinstall the old partition basicly reformating the partition, thanks guys!
EDIT2: Oh crap, i don't have like $40 for a program, there a free one with the same capabilities?
Is it possible using Partition Magic to remove a partition without losing data or having to re-install the OS. In other words, to turn two drives into one, while retaining all formating and data?
Yes- it is quite expensive for a one time operation.
Unfortunalty there is no free alternative that can do all the same things ie. non-destructive merging of NTSF partitions.
I would recommend not actually deleting second partition and keeping two- then in the future if you need to reinstall then it is easy.
The only way to possibly do it is to merge the two partitions using Partition Magic and then reinstall the OS without formatting. But then, its not a clean way of reinstalling. I actually prefer to have 2 partitions- one containing the OS and the other my Data so that I can always reformat and reinstall if anything goes wrong without the fear of losing data.Or just backup all your files to a DVD or cd, delete all existing partitions, create single partition during installation and then install OS and copy back your data.
When I said 2 partitions, I didn't mean 2 harddrives. I meant on the same harddrive like C: and D: .
Also Partition Magic is the only software which I know which does non destructive merging. But you can also try QT Parted. Its avaliable on a Knoppix Linux Live CD and its FREE !!!! And you don't have to know Linux to use it. It has a very easy user interface. Just boot from the Linux Live CD and start using QT Parted. And best part is that since its a live cd, you don't have to install anything onto the harddrive.I haven't used it myself, but have seen it being used to do the same thing. Here is a step by step process if your are going to use Partition Magic.
1) Since you want to move from a 2 partitions to a single partition, using partition magic, merge both the partitions. Its non-desttuctive, meaning your data is not destroyed. But I still recommend you take a backup of all your most important files by some means- example, USB drive, emailing them to yourself, etc.
2) Reinstall OS into another directory example C:WINXP. What I mean by this is to install WinXp to a different directoty apart from the one where your present installation exists, like C:Windows. Remember do not FORMAT the drive during installation. You might not start with a clean drive, but you will atleast have a clean OS.
3) Cleanup old OS install directory and Program Files directory.
4) Bow 15 times when Windows XP is booting to appease the Windows Gods. 
I still recommend that you continue with 2 partitions like I do. I have mapped MY DOCS, MY MUSIC AND MY PICS to my D: ( i.e 2nd partition on the same hard drive) and I have an image of WINXP. It has saved my ass plenty of times when messing around with system files ( the latest being 2 days ago. My OS installations do not last beyond the expiration date of Winrar, for some reason 
). I can reinstall anytime without worrying about looking my music, pics,docs etc.
You can download trail version of partiton magic at http://www.soft32.com/download_151.html
EDIT : Just check up QT Parted. You can only create and resize partitions. Can't merge them. http://qtparted.sourceforge.net/faq.en.html
If you want to use QT Parted, you can do this
1) copy files from 2nd --> 1 st partiton.
2) delete 2nd partition
3) resize 1st partition to cover entire hard drive
4) Follow steps 2-4.
Wow. Thanks. That's very helpful Question: What do you mean when you say reonstall OS into another directory? I mean i don't want reinstall the OS; i want to keep it and they way I have it set up, i.e., with all the Mac emulation tweaks, etc. Thanks Again!!
Hey, im planning on reinstalling my os and startin anew (restarting) .......And i was wondering if i could create a new partition on my single hardrive pc and ove the files i want to the new partion? and delete the other.
I would like to know how to do this and even if it's possible.
Thankyou,
Ghostboy
Ghostboy wanted to reinstall the OS and wanted to start clean, so those instructions were meant for that.
If you don't want to reinstall Winxp, just copy the data, delete the 2nd partition and resize the remaining one to occupy the full hardrive.
And oh, all these instructions assume that Winxp and Program Files are in the 1st partition i.e C drive.
Se harsh, your right, i did want to start clean but i like to keep my history of photoshop projects. like i do stuff on photoshop everyday and save those files. i want to save about 15 mb of data at the most.
thanks so much all, continue this topic if people have more questions about partitioning. And feel free to pin this.
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