Merging 6 Partitions on Raid0 into one for Windows XP using Partition Magic

[ginipig]

I wasn't entirely sure which board to post this on...

As the title suggests, I'm trying to use Partition magic to merge my 6 (ntfs 3.1, 4K cluster) partitions into one. Multiple partitions are usually a great idea (*nix, windows on pata,) but I've found that when dealing with a Raid-0 array - especially considering how I use my computer - a singular partition works best.

I'd restart windows (as per PM's instructions,) only to find that PM refuses to merge partitions that are visible @ boot (c:\.) I suppose that this could've been avoided if I had built my array with one partition. Is there anyway to non-destructively merge these partitions?

Also, for those in the know: Why did XP automatically create one Primary, and the rest as Logical partitions during its installation? Is this limited to Raid arrays only?

[ginipig]

^ help ^

[profdlp]

What type of files are you trying to merge? If all of your programs are installed on the C: partition I would just use the "resize" feature to move data. Copy everything that will fit onto C: , then delete it from the source drive. Resize the extended partitions downwards as you are able to move data from them. (Resize C: "up" as free space becomes available).

Also, for those in the know: Why did XP automatically create one Primary, and the rest as Logical partitions during its installation? Is this limited to Raid arrays only?This sounds like a setting you chose (perhaps unknowingly, by default) during the format process.

[ginipig]

Hey prof, thanks for stopping by. :cheers:

I tried moving data around before attempting the resize feature. In order to apply the pending changes, I had to restart the computer. PM fails with an error #. It wasn't destructive or anything.. just really annoying.

I partitioned my drives within the XP-installation menu, and there wasn't any mention of primary/logical formats. I just keyed in 'c' for create.partition, and allocated space for it. Cluster-resizing (the only other modification I made to the drives) was done in PM.

I've tried variations of bootloaders/active.partitions/disksetup.order, but nothing seems to work.

[profdlp]

..PM fails with an error #.
Every time I've had that happen it was fixed by chkdsk, Norton Disc Doctor, or not fixed at all.

There are ways to fix PM's howling about errors, but most of them involve some risk. Are you trying to save data which is not backed up, or just looking for an easy way to rearrange things? If there is no risk factor involved it might make things simpler.

What I'm suggesting is that you move the data around with the good old Windows Copy & Paste, then resize the existing partitions accordingly with PM.