Reformat & Partitioning XP

[Anjie]

I am currently running Windows XP on a 40GB Hard-Drive. I would like to partition my drive into 2 primary drives so that I can use half for personal use and the other half for a new business. I can not figure out how to do this for the life of me. My system was built by ABS PC. Thought it would be a better system than a propriatary computer such as Compaq or HP. Unfortunately, to my disappointment; I only received a restore CD rather than a normal version of Windows XP. The emergency boot disk I receive with the system only tells me to remove the floppy and press any key to continue. Have tried to download a different boot disk to use the tools to reformat and partion but get the same message. I can not find anywhere on the CD that will allow me to format or partition my drive at all. Have gone through it a couple of times in great detail only to have loaded XP now 3 times on the same drive. Just gets messier. He He! Any suggestions?

[andyms18a]

hi anjie
i think the only 2 options you have eather by a full windows xp oem cd or by partition magic witch will allow you to partition in windows

[Anjie]

I actually have an OEM copy of XP that is for my sons home built pc..(only way to go). Would it be possible to use this CD to format and partion my PC and then use my CD to reinstall? Just a thought?

[Anjie]

Never mind. Got it figured out. The CD is labeled a restore CD and I have loaded many times from a restore CD. Everyone I have used was just put in and follow the screen. And it did take me into XP setup that way. Just wouldn't let me do anything but install, and install, and install. Had a real mess when I was done. This one is basically XP with a few extra tools. The set up is exactly the same as the regular XP CD and I was not hitting a key when loading from the CD Rom. It doesn't tell you to do that on the screen and actually loading passes pretty fast so you have to hit the keys about the time you know it comes up on the screen. Have it partioned and formating as we speak. So my ABS PC is better than your average proprietary PC. Thought it had to be, as I able to hand pick all my components. Came with all the manuals, and everything else. Just was a little disappointed to see the restore CD. But seems to be your average XP anyway.