How To Partition a Hard Drive

With some simple follow up steps, hard disk can be partitioned conveniently by anyone. Partitioning of hard disk enables the breaking down of a disk into suitable large pieces for storage space or separate operating systems can be run on the same disk.

A new or reformatted disk can be used for partitioning a hard drive. By utilizing Windows XP setup program and by employing some easy steps, you can easily partition the hard disk. Begin the process by installing Windows XP Setup program into your computer and then restarting the computer to begin the process of installation.

While using Windows XP Setup disks, you should insert additional disk if prompted and continue by pressing ENTER after inserting the disk. You should select any options if prompted. Press F6 if the hard disk controller needs a third-party original equipment manufacturer (OEM) driver. Press ENTER at the welcome in order to setup page.

While using the Setup disks, you will be prompted to insert the Windows XP CD. For accepting the Windows XP Licensing Agreement, press F8. For any detection of existing Windows XP installation, you are prompted for repair. In case of escaping the process, press ESC. In order to select an existing partition, press ARROW keys or for creating a new partition using non-partitioned space, press C.

Delete the existing partition or partitions if detected by pressing D and then L. Keep repeating this step for each existing partition and finally after deleting every partition, press C to create the new partition by selecting the remaining non-partitioned space. Press ENTER to maximize the partition size. Type the size in megabytes (MB) for the new partition in order to specify the partition size and press ENTER. Repeat steps g. and h. for creating additional partitions. With the help of hard disk partitioning tools, create additional partitions by resizing the existing partitions and creating empty partitions, that too without losing your data from your existing partitions.