I have pre-installed windows XP pro. OS from HP which has come with one system restore CD and OS CD. My problem is that there is only one partition (C on the 80 GB hard disk. I have tried to create the much needed second partition (D with partition magic 8 also but failed.
How can i achieve this without formating the hard disk and installing window (from the OS CD) all over again.

please advise me.

NeedKarma

Partition Magic should have easily done that. Either read the manual for PM or reinstall it.

fredg

Hi,
Normal XP installation have the capability of creating a new partition.
Your HP discs might allow you to create a new partition with XP; not needing Partition Magic.
Can you get to Disk Management?
Here is a microsoft link with full explanations as to how to do it, if you wish to try it:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309000/

Best wishes,
fredg

ScottGem

First ignore Fred's answer. That works only if you have UNPARTITIONED space on your hard drive. If you want to split an existing partition without losing data you need to use PM (or something like it).

The thing is that PM cannot create a partition unless there is unpartitioned space either. What PM allows you to do is resize your existing partition to create the unpartioned space. So the first thing you need to is resize your existing partition down to the size you want it (but larger then the currently used amount). Then you can add the new partition.