XP and Hard Drive Size

joroma · 18 Apr 2006 at 10:02

I've got an early version of XP Pro that has not got SP2 built into it (I have got the SP2 update CD from Microsoft).

I am fitting a new 160gb SATA hard drive (not in RAID). My BIOS sees it as a 160gb drive but when I install XP it sees it as 127gb (or thereabouts). My plan was to do the install including SP2 then in Admin Tools/Disk Management get Windows to see the drive as one 160gb drive. I have done this but cannot do the last bit as I can't see how to get Disk Manager to combine the two portions of the drive ( one 127gb approx and one 21gb approx ) into one seamless hard drive. I understand XP takes up some of the HD so I won't get the full 160gb but would like to end up with one C: drive making use of all the avilable space on my new drive. If I can't do it with XP is there a free utility programme that will do it for me??

Otacon · 18 Apr 2006 at 10:34

You cannot extend the system partition in Windows, I'm afraid you're stuck with looking for a third party utility (Patition Magic - or preferably, a different one). Your other option is to slipstream SP2 onto a new CD and reinstall onto the whole disk.

joroma · 18 Apr 2006 at 11:47

"Your other option is to slipstream SP2 onto a new CD and reinstall onto the whole disk".

Sounds good. How do I do this?

Dutch Guy · 18 Apr 2006 at 12:11

joroma said:
"Your other option is to slipstream SP2 onto a new CD and reinstall onto the whole disk".

Sounds good. How do I do this?

Use one of these guides:
http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp1_cd.htm
http://www.msfn.org/articles.php?action=show&showarticle=49

joroma · 18 Apr 2006 at 12:42

Thanks. I'll give it a go tonight.

joroma · 18 Apr 2006 at 12:44

Just had a look at the nLite site. Do I need to download the net.framework files or are they already on XP Pro?

Dutch Guy · 18 Apr 2006 at 12:57

joroma said:
Just had a look at the nLite site. Do I need to download the net.framework files or are they already on XP Pro?

No idea, I used the guide from the Eldergeek link as that can be done without any other progeam, in the link it mentions SP1a but doing it with SP2 also works.

Burbleflop · 18 Apr 2006 at 13:25

joroma said:
Do I need to download the net.framework files or are they already on XP Pro?

You'll need to download and install them. The .Net framework isn't installed by default.

BONES__69 · 18 Apr 2006 at 20:41

Just a note, having a large C: drive/partition (10Gb+) is a very poor and inefficient way to setup up a PC!!

BruceLee · 19 Apr 2006 at 04:24

BONES__69 said:
Just a note, having a large C: drive/partition (10Gb+) is a very poor and inefficient way to setup up a PC!!

eh? I've got a 20Gb C partition and I find after a few months that soon fills up. I try to install games away from that partition these days, but even now its at 7gb on a week old xp install.

20gb to 30gb is adequate unless you like to install everything onto the c drive.

On topic, nLite is very good once you get the hang of it. You just copy over the original disc to your drive, run nlite, add the sp2 bits and burn. It can get more indepth than that, but I've gone overboard before and removed a lot of stuff, like media player, that you cant install after...

hp7909 · 19 Apr 2006 at 04:35

I think 20gb should be the max for XP! & first thing to do, is move the 'My Documents' folder to another patition. Don't know how many times that has saved me. Besides it makes doing a format of the main partition much easier.

joroma · 19 Apr 2006 at 08:16

Was up until 0130hrs trying to slipstream but keep getting stuck at burning the image. The instructions refer to NERO Burning ROM, which I have, but I cannot get to the advanced burning options described where you go into advanced settings select No Emulation, Change the number of loaded sectors to 4 etc.I have made 10 CDs that didn't work so far!! Any ideas?

Dutch Guy · 19 Apr 2006 at 08:36

joroma said:
Was up until 0130hrs trying to slipstream but keep getting stuck at burning the image. The instructions refer to NERO Burning ROM, which I have, but I cannot get to the advanced burning options described where you go into advanced settings select No Emulation, Change the number of loaded sectors to 4 etc.I have made 10 CDs that didn't work so far!! Any ideas?

What version of Nero have you got?

I think you need version 6 or higher for those options to appear as they are not in earlier verions.

Did you use this Nero guide?
http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstream_nero_procedure.htm

In the [Relax ISO Restrictions] section it's essential you check the [Do Not Add the ';1' ISO File Version Extension] checkbox or the slipstreamed CD will not be able to boot. If this option is not available on the ISO tab, you must stop now and upgrade to a newer version of Nero - Burning Rom before proceeding.

joroma · 19 Apr 2006 at 08:48

I've got NERO ver 6.?? but I don't get the New Compilation Tab shown in the guide (which is the one I tried to use).

Dutch Guy · 19 Apr 2006 at 08:58

joroma said:
I've got NERO ver 6.?? but I don't get the New Compilation Tab shown in the guide (which is the one I tried to use).

Do yo uuse the wizard?

If so close that and select 'File, New...'

joroma · 20 Apr 2006 at 08:19

Bingo!
Used nlite to slipstream my XP installation CD and SP2 even added the Product ID and language / keyboard settings etc and it worked a dream. What a brilliant programme.

Dutch Guy · 20 Apr 2006 at 08:59

Well done, you can also slipstream updates as well should you want it.

BruceLee · 20 Apr 2006 at 10:58

Good eh, I slipstreamed AVG anti virus and other bits too, but leave that for later

bledd · 20 Apr 2006 at 16:10

use nlite to slipstream sp2

job done