Adding a partition on XPS M1330?

Hey all,

I usually make a separate partition to store my media files (music, pictures, documents, etc) but vista doesn't seem to let me. i read somewhere that vista only allows up to 4 partitions on the same hard drive and since dell already partitioned it to 4 different sections i can't add another one. i have the 160GB 7200rpm HD and i just want to lower the OS volume's size and make a ~40 GB partition. has anyone had any luck with this?

 

if u want to do that w/o reinstalling windows, u'll need partitioning software. I seriously doubt that 4 dell partitions will preven u from creating another one

 

Yes. Be careful and use GParted. You can shrink and grow partitions as well as create new ones.

 

The Vista Disk Management tool allows you to resize/add/delete existing partitions.

 

There are different types of partitions. I'm pretty sure you're only allowed to have 4 primary partitions but you can create more secondary partitions.

 

Correct. You need a primary partition to boot off of, beyond that you can create a logical partition for media storage etc.

 

There still is a 4 Partition Limit. You need to delete one primary partition and create a new Extended partition, in which you can create as many logical drives as you want.
I would say reformatting the HDD is the best option. BTW, is the EISA partition really necessary? I have kept it so far, but it's at a very inconvenient place- beginning of the HDD.

 

I tried Vista's disk management thing and that's when i realized it wouldn't let me create another partition. Have any of you had success using disk management to make another partition?

 

anyone recommend Dban vs kill disk for quickly wiping a HD so I can put XP on it?