Disk partition error low on disk space.

Question

My client has two partitions on her disk, one for the OS, and one for Data.  The OS (C) is a Primary Partition and Data (D) is a Logical Partition.  The system is telling me it is low on disk space.

How can I delete D: and extend C: to span the entire drive?  Even through third-party utilities, as well as Disk Management, I cannot make this work!

Any help?

Answer 1

Are you saying that you cannot delete D: in disk management or a third party utility? if so the error msg is?

This partition manager is free http://www.partition-tool.com/

I cannot.  The options in Disk Management are greyed out, and if I do it in EaseUS Partition Manager Free, apply and restart, the disk is still in two partitions (it reverts back to the original disk layout)

Answer 2

Are you saying that you cannot delete D: in disk management or a third party utility? if so the error msg is?

This partition manager is free http://www.partition-tool.com/

No I cannot.  Whereas all the options are greyed out in Disk Management when I right-click, when I use EaseUS Partition Manager, after I apply what I want to do and the computer restarts, it just reverts back to the way it was!

Answer 3

"Logical partition" doesn't sound right for Windows.  You probably mean "Logical drive."

Windows has "primary partitions" and "extended partitions." 

A primary partition that has the operating system on it is an "active partition." 

Windows permits up to 4 primary partitions on a "basic disk."

An extended partition can be subdivided into "logical drives."  There can be an "unlimited" number of logical drives on an extended partition (until you run out of drive letters).

See http://www.theeldergeek.com/hard_drives_01.htm

As I understand your description, the system has a single hard drive that has both a primary partition (C:) and an extended partition.  The extended partition contains one logical drive (D:).

Putting aside the issue of saving the data that is now in the D: drive, when you delete the D: logical drive, you just create "free space" within the extended partition (which doesn't have a name).  You then have to delete the extended partition in order to create "unallocated space" into which you can then expand the C: partition.

Answer 4

Tommy,

Doing what you intend will make system images more cumbersome as they will include all the data as well. 

A system image of the C drive [containing Windows & applications but no data] will be about 30-40GB so can be made quite frequently on an external drive.  Such an image would take 20 mins to make and 20-30 mins to restore from.  The image could be restored in the event of system problems and is a marvellous facility.  Whilst I always check my D drive backup is up to date before restoring an image, I have never had any problems restoring the C drive image - my data partition contents have never been disturbed.

How big is drive C? 

How much space is left on it?

What is stored on it? *

How big is drive D?

How much space is left on it?

What is stored on it? *

*  Since the Data partition exists, it can be used as the location for all user files and moving them there might free up enough space on the C drive.

Answer 5

Are you saying that you cannot delete D: in disk management or a third party utility? if so the error msg is?

This partition manager is free http://www.partition-tool.com/