Overwriting an unused partition, possible?

[Mr_Duck]

My hard drive is partitioned, I found that out after I bought my laptop. The other partition is completely unused, there's no operating system on it, nothing. Is there anyway I can tell Windows to overwrite that partition? Thanks.

[Allan]

You have two choices. Leave it partitioned and use the other partition as you would a second drive (which is what I would do) or Use Disk Management to delete the partition and merge the space to c:

[Mr_Duck]

The drive TOTAL is 40gb. haha, i'd rather merge and use my 1tb drive as my stuff drive.
can you explain how to do this to me?

[Allan]

Easiest way is with a third party utility. Below is the link to a good, free one. Follow the instructions - it's pretty intuitive. WARNING: Before performing any disk level function always back up critical data.

http://www.partition-tool.com/

[patio]

A 40G HDD is by now fairly old...if you want to trust it to be your OS drive that's entirely up to you...

[Mr_Duck]

A 40G HDD is by now fairly old...if you want to trust it to be your OS drive that's entirely up to you...

Oh I definitely do.
This laptop has been through 6+ years of abuse, still works perfectly. That's 6 years of spilling stuff on it, dropping it, 6 years of concerts. A recent external hard drive of mine was ruined in 2 weeks. I'm completely loyal to HP when it comes to laptops by now. I expected it to die years ago, I still expect it to, and it still exceeds those expectations.

Annnd thank you Allan.

[Allan]

You're welcome.

[Computer_Commando]

My hard drive is partitioned, I found that out after I bought my laptop. The other partition is completely unused, there's no operating system on it, nothing. Is there anyway I can tell Windows to overwrite that partition? Thanks.

Are you sure it doesn't contain the Restore image and/or diagnostics?  If HP didn't supply restore disks with the computer, that's what's on the partition.

[Geek-9pm]

Are you sure it doesn't contain the Restore image and/or diagnostics?  If HP didn't supply restore disks with the computer, that's what's on the partition.

Right.
Why mess with a Laptop that works good.
If you need more drive space, go get an external drive.
One the has a good warranty.

[Mr_Duck]

No, it's actually a partition from when I had it dual booted it awhile ago. I have all the restore discs.

If you need more drive space, go get an external drive.
One the has a good warranty.

Just sent back my broken 1TB to WD :/

[Geek-9pm]

No, it's actually a partition from when I had it dual booted it awhile ago. I have all the restore discs.Just sent back my broken 1TB to WD :/

OH NO!
Alright, use EASEUS. Did somebody already say that? I don't recall that EASEUS ever failed to wok right, even on old grubby drives.
http://easeus.com/download.htm
Try the free partition manager.