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Thread: Merging two drives into one?

  1. #1
    It Is Me Here Guest

    Merging two drives into one?

    I've just got my new computer (Windows Vista Ultimate) and despite it coming
    with just one hard drive (if I'm not mistaken), when I open Computer, it
    displays two different hard drives: "OS_Install (C:) [102 GB free of 231 GB]"
    and "New Volume (D:) [465 GB free of 465 GB]".

    Anyway, how, instead of working with this bizarre set-up, could I "merge"
    C:\ and D:\ into one hard drive (in Windows Explorer's eyes, at least) so
    that I do not have files arbitrarily split into two?

  2. #2
    Gordon Guest

    Re: Merging two drives into one?

    "It Is Me Here" <ItIsMeHere@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
    news:7285AD48-73FA-420D-860B-C9303C2ECFC7@microsoft.com...
    > I've just got my new computer (Windows Vista Ultimate) and despite it
    > coming
    > with just one hard drive (if I'm not mistaken), when I open Computer, it
    > displays two different hard drives: "OS_Install (C:) [102 GB free of 231
    > GB]"
    > and "New Volume (D:) [465 GB free of 465 GB]".


    Are you really saying that the OS install takes up ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY
    NINE GB?

    >
    > Anyway, how, instead of working with this bizarre set-up, could I "merge"
    > C:\ and D:\ into one hard drive (in Windows Explorer's eyes, at least) so
    > that I do not have files arbitrarily split into two?


    It's not a "bizarre" setup - many users have their machines setup this way.
    There are some advantages in having your HDD partitioned into two - OS and
    apps go on the C drive, data goes on the D drive. It simplifies data backup,
    and in the event of having to re-install the OS (not Restore you notice),
    the data remains untouched.
    And no, files are NOT "arbitrarily split in two", you cannot split a file
    across two partitions.



  3. #3
    It Is Me Here Guest

    Re: Merging two drives into one?

    "Gordon" wrote:

    > Are you really saying that the OS install takes up ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY
    > NINE GB?


    Apparently so

    > It's not a "bizarre" setup - many users have their machines setup this way.
    > There are some advantages in having your HDD partitioned into two - OS and
    > apps go on the C drive, data goes on the D drive. It simplifies data backup,
    > and in the event of having to re-install the OS (not Restore you notice),
    > the data remains untouched.
    > And no, files are NOT "arbitrarily split in two", you cannot split a file
    > across two partitions.


    Well, maybe, but I'm going to run out of space on my apps drive (i.e. C:\)
    pretty soon, so I'd rather just bung them together. If you could tell me how
    to do that, that would be great.

  4. #4
    Bob Guest

    Re: Merging two drives into one?

    "It Is Me Here" <ItIsMeHere@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
    news:7285AD48-73FA-420D-860B-C9303C2ECFC7@microsoft.com...
    > I've just got my new computer (Windows Vista Ultimate) and despite it
    > coming
    > with just one hard drive (if I'm not mistaken), when I open Computer, it
    > displays two different hard drives: "OS_Install (C:) [102 GB free of 231
    > GB]"
    > and "New Volume (D:) [465 GB free of 465 GB]".
    >
    > Anyway, how, instead of working with this bizarre set-up, could I "merge"
    > C:\ and D:\ into one hard drive (in Windows Explorer's eyes, at least) so
    > that I do not have files arbitrarily split into two?


    What makes you think they are?

    In all likelihood you don't have two hard drives. You have two partitions on
    one hard drive. There is nothing bizarre about it.
    -------
    *Report back, please*




  5. #5
    Ken Blake, MVP Guest

    Re: Merging two drives into one?

    On Mon, 7 Apr 2008 09:33:02 -0700, It Is Me Here
    <ItIsMeHere@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

    > I've just got my new computer (Windows Vista Ultimate) and despite it coming
    > with just one hard drive (if I'm not mistaken), when I open Computer, it
    > displays two different hard drives: "OS_Install (C:) [102 GB free of 231 GB]"



    Something is very much wrong with those numbers. If 102GB is free out
    of 231GB, that means that 129GB is in use. That's an *enormous* number
    for a computer you just got, and is almost certainly wrong.



    > and "New Volume (D:) [465 GB free of 465 GB]".
    >
    > Anyway, how, instead of working with this bizarre set-up,




    Bizarre? Why is it bizarre? In fact, it's very common. You have one
    physical drive, which has been partitioned into two logical drives.
    Many people prefer such a setup, especially those who have a very
    large physical drive, such as your 696GB drive (your manufacturer
    probably calls this a 750GB drive).


    > could I "merge"
    > C:\ and D:\ into one hard drive (in Windows Explorer's eyes, at least) so
    > that I do not have files arbitrarily split into two?



    Files are *never* split in two, arbitrarily or not. You have two
    logical drives, which are treated just as if they were two physical
    drives. What gets put on each drive (always complete files, never
    split ones) is entirely up to you, and there's nothing arbitrary about
    it.

    Yes, there are ways to change this so you have a single partition
    rather than two, but before you decide to do this, you should learn
    something about the reasons why people *choose* to do what you call
    "bizarre," and decide for yourself what kind of partition setup best
    meets *your* needs.

    I'm sure that others will respond, telling you why they prefer two or
    more partitions, but in the meantime, I suggest that you read my
    thoughts on partitioning at
    http://www.computorcompanion.com/LPMArticle.asp?ID=326



    --
    Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
    Please Reply to the Newsgroup

  6. #6
    It Is Me Here Guest

    Re: Merging two drives into one?

    Thanks, that was really interesting, and I'm more convinced than ever now to
    departition my drive and have one logical drive. So, how would I go about
    doing that?

    "Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:

    > On Mon, 7 Apr 2008 09:33:02 -0700, It Is Me Here
    > <ItIsMeHere@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
    >
    > > I've just got my new computer (Windows Vista Ultimate) and despite it coming
    > > with just one hard drive (if I'm not mistaken), when I open Computer, it
    > > displays two different hard drives: "OS_Install (C:) [102 GB free of 231 GB]"

    >
    >
    > Something is very much wrong with those numbers. If 102GB is free out
    > of 231GB, that means that 129GB is in use. That's an *enormous* number
    > for a computer you just got, and is almost certainly wrong.
    >
    >
    >
    > > and "New Volume (D:) [465 GB free of 465 GB]".
    > >
    > > Anyway, how, instead of working with this bizarre set-up,

    >
    >
    >
    > Bizarre? Why is it bizarre? In fact, it's very common. You have one
    > physical drive, which has been partitioned into two logical drives.
    > Many people prefer such a setup, especially those who have a very
    > large physical drive, such as your 696GB drive (your manufacturer
    > probably calls this a 750GB drive).
    >
    >
    > > could I "merge"
    > > C:\ and D:\ into one hard drive (in Windows Explorer's eyes, at least) so
    > > that I do not have files arbitrarily split into two?

    >
    >
    > Files are *never* split in two, arbitrarily or not. You have two
    > logical drives, which are treated just as if they were two physical
    > drives. What gets put on each drive (always complete files, never
    > split ones) is entirely up to you, and there's nothing arbitrary about
    > it.
    >
    > Yes, there are ways to change this so you have a single partition
    > rather than two, but before you decide to do this, you should learn
    > something about the reasons why people *choose* to do what you call
    > "bizarre," and decide for yourself what kind of partition setup best
    > meets *your* needs.
    >
    > I'm sure that others will respond, telling you why they prefer two or
    > more partitions, but in the meantime, I suggest that you read my
    > thoughts on partitioning at
    > http://www.computorcompanion.com/LPMArticle.asp?ID=326
    >
    >
    >
    > --
    > Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
    > Please Reply to the Newsgroup
    >


  7. #7
    Bob Guest

    Re: Merging two drives into one?

    "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

    "It Is Me Here" <ItIsMeHere@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
    news:42D05A19-1CD4-45A7-8E15-D010119F45B1@microsoft.com...
    > Thanks, that was really interesting, and I'm more convinced than ever now
    > to
    > departition my drive and have one logical drive. So, how would I go about
    > doing that?
    >
    > "Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:
    >
    >> On Mon, 7 Apr 2008 09:33:02 -0700, It Is Me Here
    >> <ItIsMeHere@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
    >>
    >> > I've just got my new computer (Windows Vista Ultimate) and despite it
    >> > coming
    >> > with just one hard drive (if I'm not mistaken), when I open Computer,
    >> > it
    >> > displays two different hard drives: "OS_Install (C:) [102 GB free of
    >> > 231 GB]"

    >>
    >>
    >> Something is very much wrong with those numbers. If 102GB is free out
    >> of 231GB, that means that 129GB is in use. That's an *enormous* number
    >> for a computer you just got, and is almost certainly wrong.
    >>
    >>
    >>
    >> > and "New Volume (D:) [465 GB free of 465 GB]".
    >> >
    >> > Anyway, how, instead of working with this bizarre set-up,

    >>
    >>
    >>
    >> Bizarre? Why is it bizarre? In fact, it's very common. You have one
    >> physical drive, which has been partitioned into two logical drives.
    >> Many people prefer such a setup, especially those who have a very
    >> large physical drive, such as your 696GB drive (your manufacturer
    >> probably calls this a 750GB drive).
    >>
    >>
    >> > could I "merge"
    >> > C:\ and D:\ into one hard drive (in Windows Explorer's eyes, at least)
    >> > so
    >> > that I do not have files arbitrarily split into two?

    >>
    >>
    >> Files are *never* split in two, arbitrarily or not. You have two
    >> logical drives, which are treated just as if they were two physical
    >> drives. What gets put on each drive (always complete files, never
    >> split ones) is entirely up to you, and there's nothing arbitrary about
    >> it.
    >>
    >> Yes, there are ways to change this so you have a single partition
    >> rather than two, but before you decide to do this, you should learn
    >> something about the reasons why people *choose* to do what you call
    >> "bizarre," and decide for yourself what kind of partition setup best
    >> meets *your* needs.
    >>
    >> I'm sure that others will respond, telling you why they prefer two or
    >> more partitions, but in the meantime, I suggest that you read my
    >> thoughts on partitioning at
    >> http://www.computorcompanion.com/LPMArticle.asp?ID=326
    >>
    >>
    >>
    >> --
    >> Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
    >> Please Reply to the Newsgroup
    >>



  8. #8
    It Is Me Here Guest

    Re: Merging two drives into one?

    Well, the problem is that my C:\ drive WILL soon be 'broke' in that it will
    be full up.

    Can someone please just tell me how to stick the two drives back together
    without blowing my PC up?

    "Bob" wrote:

    > "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".
    >
    > "It Is Me Here" <ItIsMeHere@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
    > news:42D05A19-1CD4-45A7-8E15-D010119F45B1@microsoft.com...
    > > Thanks, that was really interesting, and I'm more convinced than ever now
    > > to
    > > departition my drive and have one logical drive. So, how would I go about
    > > doing that?
    > >
    > > "Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:
    > >
    > >> On Mon, 7 Apr 2008 09:33:02 -0700, It Is Me Here
    > >> <ItIsMeHere@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
    > >>
    > >> > I've just got my new computer (Windows Vista Ultimate) and despite it
    > >> > coming
    > >> > with just one hard drive (if I'm not mistaken), when I open Computer,
    > >> > it
    > >> > displays two different hard drives: "OS_Install (C:) [102 GB free of
    > >> > 231 GB]"
    > >>
    > >>
    > >> Something is very much wrong with those numbers. If 102GB is free out
    > >> of 231GB, that means that 129GB is in use. That's an *enormous* number
    > >> for a computer you just got, and is almost certainly wrong.
    > >>
    > >>
    > >>
    > >> > and "New Volume (D:) [465 GB free of 465 GB]".
    > >> >
    > >> > Anyway, how, instead of working with this bizarre set-up,
    > >>
    > >>
    > >>
    > >> Bizarre? Why is it bizarre? In fact, it's very common. You have one
    > >> physical drive, which has been partitioned into two logical drives.
    > >> Many people prefer such a setup, especially those who have a very
    > >> large physical drive, such as your 696GB drive (your manufacturer
    > >> probably calls this a 750GB drive).
    > >>
    > >>
    > >> > could I "merge"
    > >> > C:\ and D:\ into one hard drive (in Windows Explorer's eyes, at least)
    > >> > so
    > >> > that I do not have files arbitrarily split into two?
    > >>
    > >>
    > >> Files are *never* split in two, arbitrarily or not. You have two
    > >> logical drives, which are treated just as if they were two physical
    > >> drives. What gets put on each drive (always complete files, never
    > >> split ones) is entirely up to you, and there's nothing arbitrary about
    > >> it.
    > >>
    > >> Yes, there are ways to change this so you have a single partition
    > >> rather than two, but before you decide to do this, you should learn
    > >> something about the reasons why people *choose* to do what you call
    > >> "bizarre," and decide for yourself what kind of partition setup best
    > >> meets *your* needs.
    > >>
    > >> I'm sure that others will respond, telling you why they prefer two or
    > >> more partitions, but in the meantime, I suggest that you read my
    > >> thoughts on partitioning at
    > >> http://www.computorcompanion.com/LPMArticle.asp?ID=326
    > >>
    > >>
    > >>
    > >> --
    > >> Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
    > >> Please Reply to the Newsgroup
    > >>

    >
    >


  9. #9
    Gordon Guest

    Re: Merging two drives into one?

    "It Is Me Here" <ItIsMeHere@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
    news:762EB933-5F11-4C1B-88D4-7C78563633F9@microsoft.com...
    > Well, the problem is that my C:\ drive WILL soon be 'broke' in that it
    > will
    > be full up.
    >


    Then move data to the D drive.....


  10. #10
    It Is Me Here Guest

    Re: Merging two drives into one?

    Yes, but that would mean that some of my files are in C:\ and some are in D:\
    for no apparent reason (i.e. not because I had organised my files to be like
    that), which would not be very convenient for me.

    "Gordon" wrote:

    > "It Is Me Here" <ItIsMeHere@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
    > news:762EB933-5F11-4C1B-88D4-7C78563633F9@microsoft.com...
    > > Well, the problem is that my C:\ drive WILL soon be 'broke' in that it
    > > will
    > > be full up.
    > >

    >
    > Then move data to the D drive.....
    >
    >


  11. #11
    Gordon Guest

    Re: Merging two drives into one?

    "It Is Me Here" <ItIsMeHere@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
    news:872D5443-82CE-47B9-AA39-597F298749EC@microsoft.com...
    > Yes, but that would mean that some of my files are in C:\ and some are in
    > D:\
    > for no apparent reason (i.e. not because I had organised my files to be
    > like
    > that), which would not be very convenient for me.
    >


    No, move ALL your Documents and Videos and Pictures to the D drive. It's
    terribly easy....you can move your email and favorites too.


  12. #12
    Brink Guest

    Re: Merging two drives into one?


    It Is Me Here;675514 Wrote:
    > I've just got my new computer (Windows Vista Ultimate) and despite it
    > coming
    > with just one hard drive (if I'm not mistaken), when I open Computer,
    > it
    > displays two different hard drives: "OS_Install (C:) [102 GB free of
    > 231 GB]"
    > and "New Volume (D:) [465 GB free of 465 GB]".
    >
    > Anyway, how, instead of working with this bizarre set-up, could I
    > "merge"
    > C:\ and D:\ into one hard drive (in Windows Explorer's eyes, at least)
    > so
    > that I do not have files arbitrarily split into two?


    Hello,

    This tutorial will show you how to delete the D partition and extend
    the C partition to make C one large drive again.

    http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/95...te-extend.html

    Hope this helps you,
    Shawn


    --
    Brink

    *There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask
    them.*
    '*VISTA FORUMS*' (http://www.vistax64.com)
    *Please post feedback to help others.*

  13. #13
    It Is Me Here Guest

    Re: Merging two drives into one?

    Thanks for the guide, but I have a problem with following it. I managed to
    delete D:\ OK, but the option to Extend Volume for C:\ is still greyed out.
    This does not change after a reboot, nor after enabling and logging on as the
    Administrator account.

    "Brink" wrote:

    >
    > It Is Me Here;675514 Wrote:
    > > I've just got my new computer (Windows Vista Ultimate) and despite it
    > > coming
    > > with just one hard drive (if I'm not mistaken), when I open Computer,
    > > it
    > > displays two different hard drives: "OS_Install (C:) [102 GB free of
    > > 231 GB]"
    > > and "New Volume (D:) [465 GB free of 465 GB]".
    > >
    > > Anyway, how, instead of working with this bizarre set-up, could I
    > > "merge"
    > > C:\ and D:\ into one hard drive (in Windows Explorer's eyes, at least)
    > > so
    > > that I do not have files arbitrarily split into two?

    >
    > Hello,
    >
    > This tutorial will show you how to delete the D partition and extend
    > the C partition to make C one large drive again.
    >
    > http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/95...te-extend.html
    >
    > Hope this helps you,
    > Shawn
    >
    >
    > --
    > Brink
    >
    > *There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask
    > them.*
    > '*VISTA FORUMS*' (http://www.vistax64.com)
    > *Please post feedback to help others.*
    >


  14. #14
    Martin Guest

    Re: Merging two drives into one?

    If I were you, I would recreate the D drive and transfer your user
    folders to D. The idea of having 2 drives is that you have all your
    personal folders on D, with the OS and installed programs on C.

    Before you do anything else ( I was too late to say this before you
    deleted D) make sure you have backups of all your files and a plan for
    if it all goes wrong and you find you cannot boot Vista anymore.

    In message <D20E69D1-ED10-47A1-B62C-F437FE7874EE@microsoft.com>, It Is
    Me Here <ItIsMeHere@discussions.microsoft.com> writes
    >Thanks for the guide, but I have a problem with following it. I managed to
    >delete D:\ OK, but the option to Extend Volume for C:\ is still greyed out.
    >This does not change after a reboot, nor after enabling and logging on as the
    >Administrator account.
    >
    >"Brink" wrote:
    >
    >>
    >> It Is Me Here;675514 Wrote:
    >> > I've just got my new computer (Windows Vista Ultimate) and despite it
    >> > coming
    >> > with just one hard drive (if I'm not mistaken), when I open Computer,
    >> > it
    >> > displays two different hard drives: "OS_Install (C:) [102 GB free of
    >> > 231 GB]"
    >> > and "New Volume (D:) [465 GB free of 465 GB]".
    >> >
    >> > Anyway, how, instead of working with this bizarre set-up, could I
    >> > "merge"
    >> > C:\ and D:\ into one hard drive (in Windows Explorer's eyes, at least)
    >> > so
    >> > that I do not have files arbitrarily split into two?

    >>
    >> Hello,
    >>
    >> This tutorial will show you how to delete the D partition and extend
    >> the C partition to make C one large drive again.
    >>
    >> http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/95...te-extend.html
    >>
    >> Hope this helps you,
    >> Shawn
    >>
    >>
    >> --
    >> Brink
    >>
    >> *There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask
    >> them.*
    >> '*VISTA FORUMS*' (http://www.vistax64.com)
    >> *Please post feedback to help others.*
    >>


    --
    Martin Williams

  15. #15
    Brink Guest

    Re: Merging two drives into one?


    Martin;704107 Wrote:
    > If I were you, I would recreate the D drive and transfer your user
    > folders to D. The idea of having 2 drives is that you have all your
    > personal folders on D, with the OS and installed programs on C.
    >
    > Before you do anything else ( I was too late to say this before you
    > deleted D) make sure you have backups of all your files and a plan for
    > if it all goes wrong and you find you cannot boot Vista anymore.
    >
    > In message <D20E69D1-ED10-47A1-B62C-F437FE7874EE@xxxxxx>, It Is
    > Me Here <ItIsMeHere@xxxxxx> writes> > >
    > > >Thanks for the guide, but I have a problem with following it. I

    > > managed to
    > > >delete D:\ OK, but the option to Extend Volume for C:\ is still greyed

    > > out.
    > > >This does not change after a reboot, nor after enabling and logging on

    > > as the
    > > >Administrator account.
    > > >
    > > >"Brink" wrote:
    > > >> >

    >
    > --
    > Martin Williams


    If you wanted to keep the drive partition as Martin suggested, then you
    can pick up on Step Two in this tutorial to create it again.

    http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/95...partition.html

    Shawn


    --
    Brink

    *There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask
    them.*
    '*VISTA FORUMS*' (http://www.vistax64.com)
    *Please post feedback to help others.*

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