User’s Guide
PartitionExpert 2003
Compute with confidence
www.acronis.com
Copyright © SWsoft, 2000–2002. All rights reserved.
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... 5
CHAPTER 1. INSTALLATION AND RUNNING ................................................... 7
1.1 WHAT’S INCLUDED ......................................................................... 7
1.2 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ................................................................. 7
1.3 INSTALLATION PROCESS ................................................................. 7
1.4 UPGRADING ACRONIS PARTITIONEXPERT ...................................... 8
1.5 REMOVING SOFTWARE .................................................................... 8
1.6 USER INTERFACE ............................................................................. 9
1.7 BEFORE YOU RUN ACRONIS PARTITIONEXPERT ............................ 9
1.8 RUNNING ACRONIS PARTITIONEXPERT ........................................ 10
CHAPTER 2. BEGINNING THE WORK............................................................ 11
2.1 ACRONIS PARTITIONEXPERT LOGICAL ORGANIZATION ............... 11
2.1.1 AUTOMATIC PARTITION OPERATIONS........................................................11
2.1.2 MANUAL PARTITION OPERATIONS............................................................. 11
2.1.3 SWITCHING MODES ...................................................................................11
2.2 ACRONIS PARTITIONEXPERT MAIN WINDOW............................... 12
2.2.1 DISK AND PARTITION INFORMATION .........................................................13
2.2.2 CUSTOMIZING THE MAIN WINDOW APPEARANCE ...................................... 14
2.3 CALLING PARTITION OPERATIONS ................................................ 14
2.3.1 CALLING THE MAIN OPERATIONS ..............................................................14
2.3.2 ADDITIONAL OPERATIONS ........................................................................ 15
2.3.3 INVOKING ACRONIS PARTITIONEXPERT WIZARDS ....................................15
2.4 PARTITION OPERATION PROPERTIES ............................................. 15
2.4.1 DISPLAYING OPERATION RESULTS ............................................................ 15
2.4.2 PENDING OPERATIONS .............................................................................. 16
2.4.3 VIEWING DELAYED OPERATIONS .............................................................. 16
2.4.4 PERFORMING PENDING OPERATIONS .........................................................16
2.4.5 MODIFYING PENDING OPERATIONS ...........................................................16
2.4.6 UNDOING USER ACTIONS .......................................................................... 17
2.4.7 WIZARD OPERATIONS ............................................................................... 18
2.5 PROTECTING ACRONIS PARTITIONEXPERT WITH A PASSWORD .. 19
CHAPTER 3. AUTOMATIC PARTITION OPERATIONS .................................... 21
3.1 CREATING A NEW PARTITION....................................................... 21
3.2 INCREASING PARTITION FREE SPACE............................................ 30
3.3 COPYING PARTITIONS.................................................................... 32
CHAPTER 4. MANUAL PARTITION OPERATIONS.......................................... 39
4.1 MAIN PARTITION OPERATIONS ..................................................... 39
4.1.1 CREATING NEW PARTITIONS ..................................................................... 39
4.1.2 COPYING A PARTITION TO UNALLOCATED DISK SPACE.............................. 41
4.1.3 MOVING A PARTITION TO UNALLOCATED DISK SPACE...............................44
4.1.4 RESIZING AND/OR MOVING A PARTITION ...................................................47
4.1.5 CHANGING PARTITION LABELS .................................................................49
4.1.6 FORMATTING A PARTITION ....................................................................... 50
4.1.7 DELETING A PARTITION ............................................................................ 51
4.1.8 CHECKING HARD DISK PARTITIONS FOR ERRORS .......................................52
4.1.9 DEFRAGMENTING A PARTITION .................................................................53
4.1.10 WIPING UNALLOCATED HARD DISK SPACE ................................................54
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4.1.11 CLEARING A HARD DISK............................................................................55
4.2 ADDITIONAL PARTITION OPERATIONS .......................................... 57
4.2.1 CHANGING PARTITION LETTER..................................................................57
4.2.2 CONVERTING A FILE SYSTEM ....................................................................58
4.2.3 HIDING A PARTITION.................................................................................59
4.2.4 UNHIDING A PARTITION ............................................................................60
4.2.5 SETTING ACTIVE PARTITION...................................................................... 61
4.2.6 RESIZING ROOT .........................................................................................62
4.2.7 CHANGING CLUSTER SIZE ......................................................................... 63
4.2.8 CHANGING PARTITION TYPE...................................................................... 64
4.2.9 RESIZING INODE TABLE IN LINUX EXT2/EXT3 .......................................65
APPENDIX A. HARD DISK AND OPERATING SYSTEM .................................. 67
A.1 HARD DISK ORGANIZATION .......................................................... 67
A.2 HARD DISK PARTITION.................................................................. 68
A.3 PARTITION TYPES.......................................................................... 68
A.4 PRIMARY PARTITIONS ................................................................... 70
A.5 EXTENDED PARTITIONS................................................................. 70
A.6 LOGICAL PARTITIONS.................................................................... 70
A.7 FORMATTING HARD DISKS............................................................ 70
A.8 FILE SYSTEMS................................................................................ 71
A.9 FILE SYSTEM MAIN SPECIFICATIONS ............................................ 72
A.9.1 FILE SYSTEM SPECIFICATION SUMMARY ...................................................72
A.9.2 FAT16...................................................................................................... 73
A.9.3 FAT32...................................................................................................... 74
A.9.4 NTFS........................................................................................................74
A.9.5 LINUX EXT2 .............................................................................................75
A.9.6 LINUX EXT3 .............................................................................................75
A.9.7 LINUX REISERFS ......................................................................................75
APPENDIX B. GLOSSARY ............................................................................... 76
4
Introduction
What is Acronis PartitionExpert
Acronis PartitionExpert is a hard disk partition manager, enabling you to:
• Create hard disk partitions,
• Resize and move them without data loss and destruction,
• Convert partitions to other file systems without data loss,
• Copy (move) partition contents,
• Delete partitions,
• Format, label, assign letters, hide and unhide partitions, set active parti-
tions and perform rarely used operations.
Some terms of this Guide might seem unfamiliar. Appendix A «Hard Disk And
Operating System» and Appendix B «Glossary» provide descriptions of some hard
disk data storage components and used terms.
The purpose of Acronis PartitionExpert
Current hard disks feature 100 GB and higher capacity. To better organize
application files, images, video files, etc. – it makes sense to keep them on
separate partitions.
Disk space should be controlled. Acronis PartitionExpert enables you to reconfigure hard disk partitions any time to use the disk space most efficiently.
By partitioning your hard disk, you get the following advantages:
1. More effective hard disk space usage.
The cluster is a minimal data storage unit in Windows FAT16, FAT32
and NTFS file systems. High-capacity disks usually feature 32 KB clusters. Keeping numerous small files on a disk, wastes much of the disk
space. Having partitioned it, you can significantly reduce space losses.
(For details see A.9.2 «FAT16» — Table 3.)
2. Different partitions for operating system(s), applications and data.
If the system partition (where the OS is installed) is destroyed by a virus,
for example, it will not affect your data partitions.
3. The opportunity to install several operating systems on different
partitions.
Installing several operating systems enables you to master new OS versions, or work with older, but useful applications.
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4. Simpler and faster disk maintenance. Bad sector and OS error check,
defragmentation of a 6–8 GB partition is significantly faster than that of
100 GB hard disk.
Guide contents or how to find the information you need
Acronis PartitionExpert User’s Guide contains:
• Chapter 1 «Installation And Running» — general information about
software installation, running, error recovery, removal, and user interface essentials.
• Chapter 2 «Beginning The Work» — information about the main window
of Acronis PartitionExpert, logical software organization, main features,
methods of calling and executing partition operations.
• Chapter 3 «Automatic Partition Operations» — beginner information
about disk partition operations, performed through Wizards.
• Chapter 4 «Manual Partition» — experienced user information about
manually performed disk partition operations.
• Appendix A «Hard Disk And Operating System» — supplemental information about hard disks, partitions, and file systems.
• Appendix B «Glossary» — technical term glossary to help you understand
this Guide.
Software use conditions
The conditions of Acronis PartitionExpert use are listed in the supplied «License Agreement». To be able to prove that you legally purchased and use
Acronis PartitionExpert, you receive a registration card along with the package. Each registration card also has its own unique number.
Based on current legislation the «License Agreement» is considered as a contract between user and software vendor. The contract has the legal effect;
its violation may lead to a trial.
Illegal use or distribution of software is a violation of the law and will be
prosecuted.
Technical support
Users that have legally purchased and registered their copy of Acronis
PartitionExpert receive free technical support from Acronis. If you have problems
installing or using the system that you cannot be resolve with the help of this
Guide and
readme file, please e-mail technical support. You will also need to
provide the registration number of your Acronis PartitionExpert copy supplied
with this package.
Support URL: http://www.acronis.com/support/
E-mail: support@acronis.com
6 Introduction
Chapter 1. Installation And Running
1.1 What’s Included
Acronis PartitionExpert package includes:
• Installation CD-ROM,
• This Guide,
• License Agreement,
• Registration card,
• Advertising information.
1.2 System Requirements
To take full advantage of Acronis PartitionExpert you should have:
• A PC-compatible computer with a Pentium CPU or similar,
• 32 MB RAM,
• A floppy or a CD-RW drive,
• VGA monitor,
• A mouse (recommended).
1.3 Installation Process
To install Acronis PartitionExpert:
1. Insert the CD into the CD-ROM drive and run the installer.
2. Thoroughly follow all instructions.
3. Having answered all installer questions, Acronis PartitionExpert files will
be copied to the hard disk, and you'll be prompted to create Acronis
PartitionExpert bootable diskettes or a CD (pass this step if you purchased PartitionExpert on a bootable CD).
You might have to run the software from bootable diskettes or CD in
two situations:
(1) After a serious Windows failure, forcing you to reinstall it and re-
configure partitions,
(2) For working with Acronis PartitionExpert on a non-Windows, for
example Linux-based, PC.
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Having installed Acronis PartitionExpert, reboot your PC.
1.4 Upgrading Acronis PartitionExpert
If Acronis PartitionExpert was damaged during installation or execution, run its
installation program again. The software will determine that Acronis
PartitionExpert has already been installed to your PC and ask if you want to
recover (update) or completely remove it from the disk.
In the installation wizard window select Recover/Update Acronis
PartitionExpert and click Next . All Acronis PartitionExpert files will be copied
to your hard disk again to restore the software.
Software upgrades (with certain bug fixes) may be downloaded freely from Acronis
website: http://www.acronis.com/ support/updates/
1.5 Removing Software
To remove the software select Acronis Æ PartitionExpert Æ Remove Acronis
PartitionExpert from the Programs menu. You will see the dialog box to con-
firm removal of the software from your PC hard disk.
To confirm removal click Yes. Acronis PartitionExpert will be completely removed from the PC hard disk.
.
8 Chapter 1 : Installation And Running
1.6 User Interface
Acronis PartitionExpert software is installed in OS Windows, has graphical
user interface and is controlled by the mouse or by Tab, Shift+Tab,
Left, Right, Up , Down , Space, Enter and Escape keys.
If you regularly work with Windows or X Window applications, you should not encounter any problems with the Acronis PartitionExpert interface.
While working with Acronis PartitionExpert software, a user deals with a sequence of dialogs, in which he/she selects one further action, of several possible, by setting switches to the necessary position or choosing a value from
a list, or marking the necessary partitions or disks for work.
1.7 Before You Run Acronis PartitionExpert
PLEASE NOTE: Operations on system, application or data partitions must be
done very carefully to avoid potential hard disk booting or data storage problems.
Acronis PartitionExpert is thoroughly tested for working with numerous hard disks, so
any potential problems are not caused by the software, but only from improper use.
A power loss, PC power cut, or pressed Reset might result in partition damage
and data loss.
Please take all necessary precautions and following these simple rules:
1. Create a full backup of the disk that partitions are to be reconfigured.
It will assure you that your data will not be lost under any circumstances.
Almost all current PCs feature CD-R/W drives. Having a hard disk or the
most important data CD backup will enable you to work on partitions
with full confidence.
Acronis offers extremely effective hard disk and partition backup software —
Acronis TrueImage (visit http://www.acronis.com/products/trueimage/). Acronis
TrueImage creates a hard disk and partition backup, stored in a compressed archive file, whose contents can be restored any time.
2. Test your disk to make sure it’s fully functional and does not contain
bad sectors or file system errors.
You can invoke system hard disk checking tools directly from Acronis
PartitionExpert by selecting Disk Æ Check or clicking Check the selected parti-
tion for errors toolbar button.
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3. Do not perform any partition operations while running other software
that has low-level disk access, for example anti-virus or backup tools.
Close such programs before running Acronis PartitionExpert.
Following these simple rules, you will protect yourself against data loss.
1.8 Running Acronis PartitionExpert
Running under Windows
Under Windows Acronis PartitionExpert can be run by selecting Start Æ Pro-
grams Æ Acronis Æ PartitionExpert Æ Acronis PartitionExpert.
Having been run under Windows, Acronis PartitionExpert can perform operations on any
partitions, including primary, logical, system, or data without rebooting your PC.
Running Acronis PartitionExpert for the first time
Having run Acronis PartitionExpert for the first time, you will be prompted to
choose if you want to work in the Automatic Mode or in the Manual Mode.
Automatic Mode provides enough functionality to create almost any partition
configuration on your PC hard disks.
If you need a detailed partition structure representation with a complete set
of partition operations and controls, choose the Manual Mode.
Working with Acronis PartitionExpert, you can switch between modes any
time (see 2.1.3 «Switching modes»).
Running from bootable diskettes or CD
Previously we have explained how to create bootable diskettes or a CD (see
1.3 «Installation Process» #3.). While working with Acronis PartitionExpert
you may need to use the disks/disc: (1) after a serious Windows failure or
(2) to work on a Linux-based PC.
Your PC BIOS must be set correctly to boot and run the software from bootable diskettes or CD.
Bootable diskettes or CD can be created during Acronis PartitionExpert installation
(see 1.3 «Installation Process»). If you need to do this after installation, select Start
Æ Program Æ Acronis Æ PartitionExpert Æ Bootable Rescue Media Builder. If you
purchased Acronis PartitionExpert on a CD-ROM, you do not have to create bootable
media, as the CD-ROM itself is bootable.
10 Chapter 1 : Installation And Running
Chapter 2. Beginning The Work
2.1 Acronis PartitionExpert Logical Organization
Acronis PartitionExpert provides two operation modes (see 1.8 «Running Acronis PartitionExpert» — «Running Acronis PartitionExpert»):
• «Automatic partition operations» mode is designed for the most frequent
operations suitable for most users.
• «Manual partition operations» mode for any partition operations. This
mode is intended for experienced users with some knowledge of disk
data storage organization and provides full operation control.
2.1.1 Automatic partition operations
In the «Automatic partition operations» mode all actions are performed
through Acronis PartitionExpert wizards. There are three of them available:
• Create partition wizard — enables you to create a partition of unallo-
cated disk space or other partitions;
• Increase free space wizard — enables you to enlarge a partition at the
expense of unallocated disk space or other partitions;
• Copy partition wizard — enables you to copy a partition.
Through these wizards even an inexperienced user will be able to perform
step-by-step operations in this mode.
2.1.2 Manual partition operations
In the «Manual partition operations» mode experienced users have access to
all Acronis PartitionExpert features.
Partition operations are performed through entering necessary parameters into
dialog boxes.
The main difference between the automatic and manual modes is that wizards perform operation series in the former case, and only single
disk/partition operation in the latter.
2.1.3 Switching modes
Having selected Acronis PartitionExpert operation mode during the installation (see 1.3 «Installation Process» #3.), you can switch to another mode
any time. Select View
Manual Mode for the manual.
Æ Automatic Mode for the automatic mode or View Æ
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2.2 Acronis PartitionExpert Main Window
Acronis PartitionExpert is controlled through the main window. It includes the
menu, toolbar, disk and partition tree (shown/hidden through the View
menu), and represents the computer disk and partition list.
The main window appearance differs depending on the selected operation
mode (see 2.1 «Acronis PartitionExpert Logical Organization»). The difference applies to the available operation list in the main menu, partition context menus, side- and toolbar, and the amount of partition structure details
represented.
Acronis PartitionExpert main window, Automatic Mode
12 Chapter 2 : Beginning The Work
In the manual partition operations mode the main window also includes all
unallocated disk space, while only partitions are shown in the automatic
mode. Partition creation, free space, and copy wizards automatically recognize unallocated disk space.
Acronis PartitionExpert main window, Manual Mode
2.2.1 Disk and partition information
The main window shows the partition’s disk number, assigned letter, label,
type, status, size, free space size, and file system.
Disk and partition information is also provided in the partition and disk tree.
The bottom part of the main window graphically indicates the selected disk
and its partitions as rectangles with basic data on them (label, letter, size,
type, file system).
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T
2.2.2 Customizing the main window appearance
You can customize the main window appearance as you would like using the
View menu — in particular to show or hide window elements like sidebar, partition and disk tree, toolbars, etc.
The partition and disk tree in the main window
2.3 Calling Partition Operations
All partition operations in both modes are called and executed similarly.
2.3.1 Calling the main operations
Any partition operations can be called:
• By selecting from the Disk submenu,
• From customizable toolbars,
• From partition context menu (both in the main window, and the graphi-
cal panel),
• From Operations and Advanced sidebar lists.
Note that the list of available operations in the Disk submenu and the Operations
sidebar list depend on the selected partition type.
space as well.
his holds true for unallocated
14 Chapter 2 : Beginning The Work
2.3.2 Additional operations
Additional hard disk partition operations are:
• Convert — convert FAT16 partition file system to FAT32, Ext2 to Ext3,
and vice versa,
• Hide/Unhide — hide/unhide a partition,
• Set Active — set active partition,
• Resize Root — resize FAT16 partition root,
• Change Bytes per INODE — resize INODE table (Linux Ext2/Ext3),
• Change Cluster Size — change FAT16/FAT32 partition cluster size,
• Change Type — change partition type.
Additional partition operations are called from the Advanced sidebar list, same
partition context menu item or toolbar button.
Note that the additional operations list of the partition context menu or toolbar depends on the selection of a partition type. For example, the FAT16 partition menu
contains Advanced Æ Resize Root; this is absent in the FAT32 partition menu. Unlike
FAT16, Linux Ext2/Ext3 partition context menu contains Advanced Æ Change Bytes
per INODE.
2.3.3 Invoking Acronis PartitionExpert wizards
Acronis PartitionExpert wizards are invoked from the Wizards submenu and the
same sidebar list. For example, select Wizards Æ Create Partition for the partition creation wizard.
2.4 Partition Operation Properties
2.4.1 Displaying operation results
Results of performing any disk partition operation are immediately displayed
in Acronis PartitionExpert main window.
If you create a new partition, it will be immediately shown in the hard disk
partition list in the main window, as well as in the graphical form on the bottom of the main windows.
Any existing partition changes, including resizing, relocating, labeling, etc.,
are also immediately displayed in the main window.
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2.4.2 Pending operations
All Acronis PartitionExpert operations are pending, that is they are performed
later, when you are completely sure they are necessary. Until then Acronis
PartitionExpert will only show the new partition structure that is provided by
operations to be performed.
Therefore, you can view the graphical representation of the new partition
structure first, and then decide to perform or cancel chosen operations.
2.4.3 Viewing delayed operations
All Acronis PartitionExpert pending operations are added to the pending operations list. You can view it in the Pending Operations window, by clicking
Operations Æ Show:
Pending operations list
This organization enables you to control all planned operations, double check
your intended work, and undo them fully or partially if needed.
2.4.4 Performing pending operations
To actually perform planned hard disk operations, one has to do one of the
following:
• Select Operations Æ Commit in the main menu,
• Click
Commit Pending Operations toolbar button.
This performs all pending operations. You will not be able to undo any actions or operations after you commit the operation.
2.4.5 Modifying pending operations
All your actions result in the creation of pending operations. For example,
you can create a new partition, provided its type, file system, size, loca-
16 Chapter 2 : Beginning The Work
tion, and label. You can easily view the Acronis PartitionExpert pending
operation for the partition you are working on (see 2.4.3 «Viewing delayed operations»).
You can always change any operation parameter, including type, files system, size, location, etc. before performing the operation. Using Change type,
Convert, Move, Resize, etc. operations, you will also see that your actions do
not result in creating new pending operations, as you might have expected.
These actions will only change the existing pending operation parameters.
If you decide to change the label of another (existing) partition, Acronis
PartitionExpert will immediately create a new pending operation. So, the
same actions sometimes result in the creation of a new pending operation, or
modification of existing operations.
2.4.6 Undoing user actions
Calling wizards or dialog boxes for planning disk partition operations are user
actions. User entries are necessary operation parameters on the wizard or
dialog box pages.
One user action in Acronis PartitionExpert enables you to plan a whole list of
partition operations. For example, calling a wizard for partition creation or resizing. (You can easily verify your actions by looking at the Pending Opera-
tions when the wizard finishes its work.)
You can also create a partition by selecting Disk Æ Create Partition, that requires a list of actions to be performed (enter a label, select partition type,
file system, size, and location), resulting in the creation of a single partition
create operation only.
The difference between user actions and partition operations should be kept
in mind, if you wish to undo user actions.
Any user action in Acronis PartitionExpert can be undone or redone before
committing the operation. To undo a user action:
• Select Operations Æ Undo from the main menu (or press Ctrl
+Z),
• Click Undo Last Action toolbar button.
To redo a user action:
• Select Operations Æ Redo from the main menu (or press Ctrl
+Y),
• Click Redo Last Action toolbar button.
As user actions result in pending partition operations, as mentioned above,
undoing them results in canceling one or several partition operations.
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And vice versa, redoing a user action results in the addition of one or several
pending operations.
Depending on your situation, undoing an action may cancel a pending operation or undo changes of an existing operation (see 2.4.5 «Modifying pending
operations»).
Similar, redoing an action might add a pending operation to the list again or
redo a change of a pending operation parameter.
You can undo user actions one at a time or all at once by selecting Operations Æ Undo
All. Similarly, you can redo user actions (along with the corresponding graphical representation of partition reconfiguration) one-by-one or all at once by selecting Opera-
tions Æ Redo All.
2.4.7 Wizard operations
Pending partition operations, created by Acronis PartitionExpert wizards, differ in
that a user must provide a list of operation parameters to perform it. Each parameter is entered on a separate wizard page.
Entering operation parameters, you change wizard pages using Back and
Next buttons until you reach the Preview page with the Finish button.
In the Preview wizard page you can click Back to return and change any
operation parameters.
After clicking Finish on the last wizard page:
• New partition structure is graphically represented in Acronis
PartitionExpert main window,
• Wizard creates a list of pending operations; you can see it by selecting
Operations Æ Show.
18 Chapter 2 : Beginning The Work
Remember that no actions are performed on your disks when the wizard finishes working! If you are sure that the new structure is suitable, select Op-
erations Æ Commit or click Commit Pending operations, wizard-created pending operations will then be actually performed.
Before you select Operations Æ Commit or click Commit Pending operations,
you can undo your actions (calling a wizard) and wizard-created pending operations in the usual way (selecting Operations Æ Undo or pressing
Ctrl+Z )
or clicking Undo Last Action.
Acronis PartitionExpert shows the wizard and its results as a user action by creating
the list of operations. Any pending actions can be fully undone by any of mentioned
methods, i.e. pressing Undo Last Action will undo a user action and all operations,
planned by the wizard.
2.5 Protecting Acronis PartitionExpert With A Password
When using Acronis PartitionExpert on a PC you should always be aware of
possible unauthorized access to your data. To protect your hard disk, partition, applications and data, Acronis PartitionExpert provides password protection.
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If you need to protect Acronis PartitionExpert with a password
1. Select Disk
Æ Set Password,
2. Enter a password in the New Password and Confirm New Password
fields in the Set Password window,
3. Click OK
to enable password protection.
After you run the program, you’ll be prompted to enter a password in the
Password Protected window:
If you enter a wrong password, you'll be asked to re-enter it. Clicking Cancel
will close the program.
If you need to change password:
1. Select Disk
Æ Set Password,
2. Enter the old password in the Old Password field and the new password in the New Password and Confirm New Password fields in the Set
Password window,
3. Click OK
Please Note: If you protected Acronis PartitionExpert with a password and forgot it,
you will have to uninstall PartitionExpert by selecting Programs Æ Acronis Æ
PartitionExpert Æ Uninstall Acronis PartitionExpert, and install it again!
to enable password protection.
20 Chapter 2 : Beginning The Work
Chapter 3. Automatic Partition
Operations
In the «Automatic partition operations» mode Acronis PartitionExpert enables
you to perform the following typical partition operations:
• Create a new partition,
• Increase partition free space,
• Copy a partition.
These operations are performed with wizards, enabling to enter operation
parameters step-by-step and return to any step as needed. Each parameter
is provided with detailed instructions.
3.1 Creating A New Partition
You might need a new hard disk partition to:
• Store several same-type files — for example, MP3 collection, video files,
etc. on a partition;
• Store backups (images) of other partitions/disks on a partition;
• Install a new operating system (or swap file) on a partition.
Create partition wizard lets you create a partition of any type (Active, Pri-
mary or Logical), select a file system, label, assign a letter, etc.
If you need to create a new partition:
1. Run the create partition wizard by selecting Wizards Æ Create partition
or similar Wizards list item on the sidebar, or by clicking
new partition on the toolbar.
2. The wizard will analyze computer disks and partitions. If the wizard finds
unallocated space, you will see the Action Selection wizard page.
It will ask you to select how to create a new partition:
(1) using disk unallocated space,
(2) using existing partitions free space.
Create a
Unallocated space is the space not used by any existing partitions. In contrast
to this, partition free space is the space free from any data.
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Partition creation method selection window
The partition creation wizard provides the following operations:
3. If you want to create a partition using unallocated disk space:
3.1 Set the switch to Unallocated space.
3.2 The wizard will offer to create a partition on the largest unallocated area.
For example, if you have 5.0 GB and 12.0 GB unallocated areas, the
wizard will offer to create a partition on 12.0 GB area.
If you want to create a partition on 5.0 GB unallocated space, you will have to
reject wizard’s offer and simply select this area and click
partition. You can do this in the «Manual partition operations» mode.
Create a new
On the Partition Size wizard page set the partition size.
New partition size window
22 Chapter 3 : Automatic Partition Operations
3.3 On the next wizard page select partition type — Active (Active Primary), Primary or Logical.
Typically Primary is selected to install an operating system to a partition. If the partition is for data storage, select Logical.
Select Active, if you want to install an operating system on this partition to boot at startup.
Note that if you enter over 2 GB size, you will not be able to use the FAT16 file
system on this partition. It will be disabled in the File System wizard page.
Partition type selection window
A hard disk can contain up to 4 primary partitions. If they already exist, Active
and Primary options will be disabled, and you will be able to select only Logical
partition type.
3.4 On the next File System wizard page select a file system. The wizard
will offer you one of Windows file systems — FAT16, FAT32, NTFS, or
Linux file systems — EXT2, EXT3, ReiserFS, Swap, or to leave the partition Unformatted.
More details about the properties of main file systems, the operating systems,
and disks are provided in the A.9 «File System Main Specifications» appendix.
Copyright © SWsoft, 2000–2002
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Partition file system selection window
Selecting a partition file system results in partition formatting, i.e. creating
partition data storage structures – boot record, file allocation table, etc.
3.5 On the next wizard page, you will be asked to select a partition letter.
Partition Logical Drive Letter selection window
At startup, an operating system assigns letters (C:, D:,…) to partitions.
These letters are used by applications and the operating system to locate files on partitions. For example, C:\Program Files\Acronis\Partition
Expert\PartitionExpert.exe. See also Appendix B «Glossary» — «Letter
(of a drive, partition)».
Hard disk partitions are not only assigned letters, but are also enumerated. That
means some operatin
systems partitions are assigned letters and numbers, in
others – only numbers.
24 Chapter 3 : Automatic Partition Operations
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