What is the best free program for partitioning a hard drive?

[froggyboy604]

I heard Gparted was pretty good at partitioning a hard drive.

But, I never used it before, so I need advice on a good program for partitioning a hard drive for free. I only used the ones that came with Linux install CDs for partitioning a drive in a windows PC, so bothe Windows and Ubuntu, Suse, fedora can boot on one Hard drive.

 

[grumpygit]

Personally I prefer Parted Magic.
http://partedmagic.com/

Instructions if you need them.
http://tnthelpforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=608

 

[NBK*Twitch]

Parted Magic would be a better choice.

Oh and if I am thinking clearly you can only have 4 oses on one hard drive.

do not quote me on that though lol.

 

[froggyboy604]

Thanks for the help. Parted Magic has a nicer GUI.

I think I read a book about having only 4 Primary (active) OS Partions on a drive and a lot of extended partitions which are only good for storing files, but are not bootable. I only need 2-3 partitions, so this won't be an issue.

 

[mikehawk]

I used Norton Partition Magic when I set my machine up for dual boot. Worked well and was not difficult. Only problem is it is kind of pricey (around $70 USD)

 

[PcGuy]

I use the one built into windows 🙂 just go to control panel > administration management and then disk management 🙂

 

[froggyboy604]

I heard the ones for Windows only work for drives which are empty, and there will be Data loss if you try to partition a drive with files on it.

Though, you can also lose all your data using Gparted, Partition magic Magic Parted if you do not know what you are doing or something goes horribly wrong.

 

[NBK*Twitch]

I use the one built into windows 🙂 just go to control panel > administration management and then disk management 🙂

Two problems with that,one that is only a feature for pnly vista and up.

Two like it has been said it doesn't have every partition feature like gparted has.(or others)

 

[Justin]

If you are installing 2 operating systems, it will happen by itself

 

[froggyboy604]

If you are installing 2 operating systems, it will happen by itself

I think it is only true for Linux based operating systems which have a builtin partitioning tool when I was installing WinXP and 2000. I had to remember to make 2 partitions before installing both drives since the Windows CD can't resize partitions.

 

[bascilikapeter]

i prefer parted magic.

 

[greggasket]

parted magic will b a good option.

 

[Dj-Whitey]

if your doing it to install a OS, the installer usually does it for you..