Non destructive re-formatting,possible?

Howard

No I'm not going to say get a Mac: although I could lead you through it if you had. What you are asking to do is re-partition your disk. It is not peculiar to PCs, but is a desirable from time to time on all different systems.

Instead I advise you to check out a program like Partition Magic. This is non-destructive so you could change how much space was given to each virtual drive. I think there are trial versions available. Though I wonder if this will make your computer faster - it certainly won't hurt.

I'm not sure how Windows works, but I'd assume it has a swap file that it uses when it runs out of memory. Ideally this should be on a different disk from the one you are frequently accessing. You'll know if you are having a problem with this as you'll hear lots of disk noise when you're not expecting it (thrashing). More memory is usually the best solution.

HTH Rotf

Thanks ROTF more memory was the other biggie as regards slow machines. Sounds a lot easier to do too.
A MAC has not been ruled out when the next machine is required.

Howard

Given that you have two spindles - you could buy a much bigger spindle - remove the second (data)spindle temporarily and insert the new spindle - you could then format it to the sizes you want and then copy the files across - then remove your small first spindle, move the new big one to replace it and reinstall your data spindle.

However I am not a Windows user so I do not know how you initialise the new primary spindle as a bootable spindle - in OS/2 it was done as part of the partitioning and initialising of the disk before you start the copy - so we need a windows person to detail how that part is done.

Howard,

Another option is to backup and restore your system disk. OK this is mini/main frame stuff, but it does work on PC's too. My dad's pc was running incredibly slow. I backed it up using GHOST, and then restored the partition.
The caveat is of course that you need to make the backup is file based (i.e. why I used Ghost) rather than block based.

Thanks guys My mainproblrm is the PC was bought(in a rush) from PC world with a 5 years cover plan thingy,so I can't/shouldn't fiddle around in side.The guy has the machine for the health check says it needs resetting to factory spec. So he's going to backup data and re-install. They were very reticent to sell me a bigger H/D or more memory which was strange.
Looks like I'll have a lot of reloading to do later. Still this is the last time they will have the machine. We will start looking for a new one soon,might even be a MAC!

Try this program http://www.ccleaner.com/ It's clears away all of the crap that accumulates as windows runs. Can be very effective af restoring system performance. It's free but if it works for you then you can/should make a donation.

Regards,


Willy.

I feel a complete idiot after taking my PC back to PC world as after I loaded the software to activate the wireless thingy, on bootup windows started and the the screen went blank. I picked the machine up to day and it was exactly the same.Why I don't know but I hit the auto refresh on the monitor and hey presto pictures again.Doh!
As previously thought most of my data has been lost due to one PC World "Tech Guys" not saving "My Documents" or any database files. Thankfully I have under 2000 CDs and LPs.
Bought a 500GB external drive today so hopefully I won't make the same mistake again.
I know it leaves room for a whole load of new mistakes.

Howard