How to extend existing partition with new hard drive?

[guitarxe]

I have two hard drives - Drive 1 which I had before with 500gb, and Drive 2 which I just bought with 1,000gb.

Drive 1 has two partitions: C: with 40gb used for Windows and programs, and D: with the rest used for games and data.

Since 40gb is woefully inadequate, I need to extend it. I bought a new hard drive, but not sure now how to proceed. I've come to realize you cannot "extend partition" to unallocated space on a different physical drive, which is what I was planning to do.

What then are my options? Is there any way to do this? Should I instead somehow clone my D: partition over to Drive 2, and then format D: and use that space to extend C: ?

How do I go about doing that, or any other suggestions?

 

[mrmike_49]

"Partition Magic" http://download.cnet.com/1772-20_4-0.html?query=Partition+Magic&platform=Windows%2CMac%2CiOS%2CAndroid%2CLinux%2CWebware%2CMobile&searchtype=downloads

I haven't used it in years, but it was a GREAT program

 

[neieus]

This is pretty easy... all you need to do is copy the data from drive 1 second partition to drive 2 then delete drive 1 partition 2. Next extend the C drive to consume the remaining drive space on drive 1. Once you've done that you can create new partitions if needed and copy data where ever you like.

 

[scout_03]

that new hdd have nothing on it with you dont use the free software from the maker link and copy all the 500 gb stuff on the 1 tb so you will be able to use it as main hdd and keep the the 500g as spare hdd after you plug in the new 1 tb as c drive and the 500 g as d .

 

[guitarxe]

Thanks, that's what I thought. Doesn't Win7 have any native commands to do these operations? Or do I have to find a program like the above linked "Partition Magic" to do it?

And if I clone my D: partition to my new hard drive, will I need to change any paths in registry for everything to keep working?

 

[neieus]

You can do it from windows by going to disk management.

 

[guitarxe]

You can do it from windows by going to disk management.

I don't see any option to copy or clone partition from Drive 1 to Drive 2. Do I need to create a partition on Drive 2 first?

 

[neieus]

I'm sorry I was referring to managing the disk partitioning. If you're going to clone it then you'll need to use 3rd party software for that.

 

[scout_03]

what is the make and model of both hdd .

 

[guitarxe]

I think I'm going to copy over data the old fashioned way. I noticed when I right click on the partition that I will eventually format that the option to "delete volume" is greyed out. What could be causing this?

 

[scout_03]

if it is a os partition you could not erase it ,post a picture of the drive manager .

 

[guitarxe]

It's not a system partition. Here's a screenshot:

http://i.imgur.com/3LCY9cG.png

 

[scout_03]

check this it need to have a partition and be formated http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-use-unallocated-drive-space-in-windows.html

 

[guitarxe]

Well, yes, I know that to be extended, it needs to be formatted. My question is why it does not let me format my "D:" partition?

 

[scout_03]

is has page file on it and set as primary delete page file and set to not pagefile on this d drive you will be able to format it .