Partion and reformat

[xenosagian]

Is it possible to make a new partion on my hard drive, move all the files onto that partion, reformat the original partition and then move the files back onto it?

[patio]

Yes but you need to be clearer on what your goals are here...
If it is just data files you are concerned with this is no problem at all...
If you are thinking of Programs and an operating system i.e. Windows and everything else on the drive then it becomes a little more complicated.
There are many options including how you want to do it....or making an image of your drive as is and then wiping the drive and re-imaging etc.
There is also the method of just backing up your data to CD/DVD as well and then doing the same thing...

So let us know in detail what you want to do and hopefully we can steer you in the right direction.

BTW Welcome to CH.

[xenosagian]

It's just data files, no programs or anything like that. That's too complicated. I'd just like to be able to backup my files without having to buy any DVD's, I have a lot of CD's but they aren't large enough for all of my files. It'd take all day to burn them all to the discs.

[kuszmania9999]

use partition magic, but i  think it's not freeware
or this one
http://www.download.com/Paragon-Partition-Manager/3000-2248_4-10656686.html?tag=lst-0-1

[The Saviour]

You don't have to buy or look for any partitioning software...it depends on what operating system you are using.

XP has a a Disk Management program you can try:

1)  To open Computer Management, click Start, and then click Control Panel. Double-click Administrative Tools, and then double-click Computer Management.

2)  For information about using Disk Management, in Computer Management, click Help on the Action menu.

I hope this helps...

[Dusty]

Free Paragon-Partition-Manager might still be available here..

(With thanks to Patio for his earlier post)

[patio]

Should be available til November... but act quick just in case.

[Fed]

I've heard some horror stories about losing data by using partioning tools although I've done it many times myself (linux) without a problem.
I'd suggest backing up any data you are not prepared to lose.