combining partition or making it larger

[wireant]

Hi,
I made a mistake of creating only a 2 gig. partition to run Windows XP Home. It is not a big problem ( I think I can llive with it if I manage it), but I would like to make it bigger so I do not have to worry about it. This is how I partitioned my 80 gig. seagate:
1. 2 gig. - bootable c with XP
2. 2 gig. - extra if I ever wanted to do dual boot r for backup
3. the rest 80 gig. - contains all program files, documents, music...

This is what I would like to do if it is possible, I don't think it is but maybe. I want to either combine partition 1 and 2 to create a 4 gig. partition but do not want to lose my data on partition 1. Partition 2 is empty and I could just delete the partition. If I cannot do that easily I thought of another way. I could copy everything from drive c ( partition 1) to partition 3 and make it bootable. Then delete 1 and 2 and recreate another partition and copy the original contents of drive c back onto the new partition and make that bootable. Would this work and would it run the same without having to reinstall all of the programs. THanlks for your help.

[MSIuser]

There a pretty easy way of doing this. All you need is to get a piece of software, something like Partition Magic 7 (it does cost, but it's sooo easy to use). Then what you can do is make you 3rd partition smaller (all you need to do is drag a wee bar) then move Partition 2 along so the free space is beside partition 1. then resize partition 1 to use up that free space as well. This way you won't loose any data and you will have an enlarged drive. I would advise you to back up before doing anything though.

[HAL9000]

Partition Magic will allow you to re-arrange, resize, and merge partitions. You will need version 7 to work with XP.

[wireant]

Thanks,
So there isn't another way except using partition magic? I do not mind deleting the second partition because it is empty. I guess I will look online to buy a copy of it. I have heard of it before and I guess it is worth it, but I wish there was a way I could do it without using it - if I can save $50 on something that I may use twice before it becomes extinct I would rather do that

[MSIuser]

Well have you got any bootloading software? Most bootloading software comes with partitioning stuff a long with it!

[wireant]

Thanks guys,
I just went to compusa and bought a copy ( I really wanted to do it so I didn't have to worry about it anymore). I installed the software, looked it over and merged the two 2 gig. drives. Everything went smoothly and I am set to go. Me, being cocky didn't back up anything - I don't really have anything important, but it is a pain to install everything - and luckily everything went ok. I just hope I can use this thing again for the money I spent on it. Thanks again.

[MSIuser]

I ain't sure if it is against copyright or not, but you could also use it again if you need to on other PC's.

[Tuf]

I use my copy on PC's I am working on then uninstall it. I have asked them on the phone and I was told that was kind of iffy but if I only have it on one PC at a time it would be OK. Who really wants to leave it on their computer all the time anyway.

[MSIuser]

Yeah, thanks for clearing that up for me Tuf, at least I now know where I stand next time I go to use it.