Two drives - confused

brohdaw

New Member
Messages
12
Location
Pennsylvania
Okay I pretty much have taught myself everything I know so I would say I know "enough" or at least I can usually research it and figure it out. Well something very odd has happened and I need help, I think. I installed Windows OS 8.1 and when installing it, there were two partitions (?) to install it into and I think that might have something to do with this...before installing it, I knew there would be some type of access to my old system (Vista) but I made sure to remove everything I could to make room for the new OS; wasn't a great amount of space left but it was sufficient enough for now. Well come to find out I now have a "C" drive and I think the other is a "D" drive (I'm going to post a picture). The space I think I had is now in "D" drive and I am downloading MS Office and it's telling me I do not have enough space to install (suggests something like you do not have 3006 mb of space in preferred installation destination, please clear some space or choose a different destination). Well this prompted me to try to copy and paste the files to the "D" drive which also gave me the same message. There is space there, and I'm not sure what is going on and there is no option to change the install to a different drive or etc. My first question is should I have installed 8.1 this way and two, how do I combine the space when I need to add programs; I have to add Nero and Adobe yet, so this question is hopefully going to cover any further questions I have with other programs.
What I think might have happened is when I chose where I was going to install 8.1, it called just for enough space to load it but now I'm totally lost on how to use 8.1, and it's important that I have MS Word and Adobe (For school). 608dc301c2eb4cd79c1267966b0d0a2c_A.jpeg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 3048
    CPU
    Intel (R) Pentium (R) CPUG3220T
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc OHDSK4
    Memory
    4.0 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Inspiron 3048
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Hard Drives
    ST1000LM024 HN-M101MBB
    Browser
    IE
    Antivirus
    none yet...just installed new OS

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
Quick reply...



Thank you very much for your quick reply. I will do this in a half hour or so - funny you asked this because at the time i posted this, I did have the Disk mgmt open because I seen someone else ask about it in a different post. Well at least I know I can do that. I will do this in a few, I'm on my Vista right now because I needed to finish something and it's the only place I can access my Word and pdf-s. Please look for my reply soon (but at your convenience of course) because I would greatly appreciate your help!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 3048
    CPU
    Intel (R) Pentium (R) CPUG3220T
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc OHDSK4
    Memory
    4.0 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Inspiron 3048
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Hard Drives
    ST1000LM024 HN-M101MBB
    Browser
    IE
    Antivirus
    none yet...just installed new OS

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 3048
    CPU
    Intel (R) Pentium (R) CPUG3220T
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc OHDSK4
    Memory
    4.0 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Inspiron 3048
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Hard Drives
    ST1000LM024 HN-M101MBB
    Browser
    IE
    Antivirus
    none yet...just installed new OS
I'm afraid that you have a mess of hard disk there. Best thing would be to back up most needed files somewhere else and during installation of Windows 8 you can "kill" all the partitions, make one new only and install OS on it. After you install all programs you feel you need you can than make a new partition for data if you want to, leaving 25 - 50 % of total so occupied space empty for future considerations.
That way you'll end up with boot sector and OS in the same place on the beginning of the disk where it all belongs.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
I'm afraid that you have a mess of hard disk there. Best thing would be to back up most needed files somewhere else and during installation of Windows 8 you can "kill" all the partitions, make one new only and install OS on it. After you install all programs you feel you need you can than make a new partition for data if you want to, leaving 25 - 50 % of total so occupied space empty for future considerations.
That way you'll end up with boot sector and OS in the same place on the beginning of the disk where it all belongs.

I thought it was odd the way they told me to do it, use to have a picture of it but not sure if I can find it again. If I do, I will post that later. I think I understand all this and I'm going to try it; I may have more questions later but tyvm! I'm not worried about what is on there, most of what I need is backed up on my external hard drive thank goodness, I just was worried about reloading my programs again. thanks again!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 3048
    CPU
    Intel (R) Pentium (R) CPUG3220T
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc OHDSK4
    Memory
    4.0 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Inspiron 3048
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Hard Drives
    ST1000LM024 HN-M101MBB
    Browser
    IE
    Antivirus
    none yet...just installed new OS
I'm afraid that you have a mess of hard disk there. Best thing would be to back up most needed files somewhere else and during installation of Windows 8 you can "kill" all the partitions, make one new only and install OS on it. After you install all programs you feel you need you can than make a new partition for data if you want to, leaving 25 - 50 % of total so occupied space empty for future considerations.
That way you'll end up with boot sector and OS in the same place on the beginning of the disk where it all belongs.

I thought it was odd the way they told me to do it, use to have a picture of it but not sure if I can find it again. If I do, I will post that later. I think I understand all this and I'm going to try it; I may have more questions later but tyvm! I'm not worried about what is on there, most of what I need is backed up on my external hard drive thank goodness, I just was worried about reloading my programs again. thanks again!


I wish there was a way to just edit so these posts that are just "addtl information" could be added as an edit anyway, I cant' find the picture I was referring to but my friend told me what they were, one choice was "Upgrade install" and the other was "custom install" - after choosing "custom install" the choices were "Drive 0 Partition 1" with system as 'type' and "Drive 0 Partition 2" with 'primary' or blank type, I chose this one --- I should have followed my feeling but the person who told me to choose the second one is usually pretty "smart" when it comes to computers - but this time, she failed lol --- learning experience for me I guess
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 3048
    CPU
    Intel (R) Pentium (R) CPUG3220T
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc OHDSK4
    Memory
    4.0 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Inspiron 3048
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Hard Drives
    ST1000LM024 HN-M101MBB
    Browser
    IE
    Antivirus
    none yet...just installed new OS
I'm afraid that you have a mess of hard disk there. Best thing would be to back up most needed files somewhere else and during installation of Windows 8 you can "kill" all the partitions, make one new only and install OS on it. After you install all programs you feel you need you can than make a new partition for data if you want to, leaving 25 - 50 % of total so occupied space empty for future considerations.
That way you'll end up with boot sector and OS in the same place on the beginning of the disk where it all belongs.

:ditto:

To clean install:
1) Clean the HD Drive, using Step one in this tutorial:
SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation - Windows 7 Help Forums
than
[DEL]2a) Clean install with the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disk.[/DEL]

2b) http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2299-clean-install-windows-8-a.html

[DEL]2c) http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...e-firmware-interface-install-windows-8-a.html[/DEL]
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
I'm afraid that you have a mess of hard disk there. Best thing would be to back up most needed files somewhere else and during installation of Windows 8 you can "kill" all the partitions, make one new only and install OS on it. After you install all programs you feel you need you can than make a new partition for data if you want to, leaving 25 - 50 % of total so occupied space empty for future considerations.
That way you'll end up with boot sector and OS in the same place on the beginning of the disk where it all belongs.



:ditto:

To clean install:
1) Clean the HD Drive, using Step one in this tutorial:
SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation - Windows 7 Help Forums
than
[DEL]2a) Clean install with the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disk.[/DEL]

2b) http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2299-clean-install-windows-8-a.html

[DEL]2c) http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...e-firmware-interface-install-windows-8-a.html[/DEL]

okay thank you! I'm not sure when I'm going to start this because I am sure this will be a long "project" lol (sorry, said my msg was too long so I had to add a little too much info lol)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 3048
    CPU
    Intel (R) Pentium (R) CPUG3220T
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc OHDSK4
    Memory
    4.0 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Inspiron 3048
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Hard Drives
    ST1000LM024 HN-M101MBB
    Browser
    IE
    Antivirus
    none yet...just installed new OS
I'm afraid that you have a mess of hard disk there. Best thing would be to back up most needed files somewhere else and during installation of Windows 8 you can "kill" all the partitions, make one new only and install OS on it. After you install all programs you feel you need you can than make a new partition for data if you want to, leaving 25 - 50 % of total so occupied space empty for future considerations.
That way you'll end up with boot sector and OS in the same place on the beginning of the disk where it all belongs.

:ditto:

To clean install:
1) Clean the HD Drive, using Step one in this tutorial:
SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation - Windows 7 Help Forums
than
[DEL]2a) Clean install with the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disk.[/DEL]

2b) http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2299-clean-install-windows-8-a.html

[DEL]2c) http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...e-firmware-interface-install-windows-8-a.html[/DEL]

Okay CountMike and theog...let me make sure this is what I am doing before I mess something up...I like having someone I can ask before doing it. I've done a lot on my own but then comes the anticipation of whether it's going to work or not and if not, how to fix it lol...so this saves me that trouble and hopefully time...

I'm going to follow the SSD/HDD link provided by theog - and complete step one only (correct?) but I am going to do this to both my drives (correct?) I'm assuming the 8.1 disk will have a boot up so it wont matter that there's nothing left on my drive (right?).

And CountMike, I am not sure if you were assuming I know how or why I would want to create partitions but if I'm going to start from "scratch" so-to-speak, I don't need to do that? Or do I?

Basically I'm starting with a "Blank" computer and starting over?

Just double checking cuz there is some caution in my head about removing both but then I start thinking it wont matter. I also read on there about a MBR - I don't have to do that either, right?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 3048
    CPU
    Intel (R) Pentium (R) CPUG3220T
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc OHDSK4
    Memory
    4.0 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Inspiron 3048
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Hard Drives
    ST1000LM024 HN-M101MBB
    Browser
    IE
    Antivirus
    none yet...just installed new OS
YES, right with all.

but I am going to do this to both my drives (correct?)

NO, both partitions, using "CLEAN" in SSD/HDD link, will delete both partitions.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
Basically if you follow 2b you are starting from a blank slate. I personally. prefer to use a third party program from "Hireen's Boot disk" to prep HDDs for neww OS instalation. I just "kill" all the partitions, "Zero " them, ie. safety erase them, make new partition/s, format them, give each disk/partition a name and set first partition as "Active". That way I am absolutely clear which one should be the system one and what should be on it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
YES, right with all.

but I am going to do this to both my drives (correct?)

NO, both partitions, using "CLEAN" in SSD/HDD link, will delete both partitions.

Thank you very much, not sure when you posted this because it stop sending the "alerts" but I'm going to do this now...wish me luck lol
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 3048
    CPU
    Intel (R) Pentium (R) CPUG3220T
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc OHDSK4
    Memory
    4.0 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Inspiron 3048
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Hard Drives
    ST1000LM024 HN-M101MBB
    Browser
    IE
    Antivirus
    none yet...just installed new OS
Basically if you follow 2b you are starting from a blank slate. I personally. prefer to use a third party program from "Hireen's Boot disk" to prep HDDs for neww OS instalation. I just "kill" all the partitions, "Zero " them, ie. safety erase them, make new partition/s, format them, give each disk/partition a name and set first partition as "Active". That way I am absolutely clear which one should be the system one and what should be on it.

Hahaha I said, "thank you, I'm going to stick to original ideas here" didnt realize it was you CountMike...I'm going to do this just as you and the other poster has suggested...thank you so much! Wish me luck!!! Thank you so much.


Okay both of you, either one of you? I tried this and I'm wondering if I should do this from the DOS screen (with F8) and thinking that is what I did wrong...I did it while logged on. While I wait for this answer, I'm going to try it from F8 but here is what I got

While on Vista

Only shows Disk 0 partition
"Clean all" followed by...
"The selected disk is necessary to the operation of your computer and cannot be cleaned"

While on 8.1
Same thing, Only Disk 0 partition shows up
"Clean all"
Virtual disk error - clean is not allowed on the disk containing the current boot, system, page file, crash dump, or hibernation volume"

Wasn't sure from the "get-go" if I was suppose to do this from DOS or Logged in...I may be wasting my time because I'm about to try it by restarting and F8 - but just incase that's not the issue...
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 3048
    CPU
    Intel (R) Pentium (R) CPUG3220T
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc OHDSK4
    Memory
    4.0 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Inspiron 3048
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Hard Drives
    ST1000LM024 HN-M101MBB
    Browser
    IE
    Antivirus
    none yet...just installed new OS
Basically if you follow 2b you are starting from a blank slate. I personally. prefer to use a third party program from "Hireen's Boot disk" to prep HDDs for neww OS instalation. I just "kill" all the partitions, "Zero " them, ie. safety erase them, make new partition/s, format them, give each disk/partition a name and set first partition as "Active". That way I am absolutely clear which one should be the system one and what should be on it.

Hahaha I said, "thank you, I'm going to stick to original ideas here" didnt realize it was you CountMike...I'm going to do this just as you and the other poster has suggested...thank you so much! Wish me luck!!! Thank you so much.


Okay both of you, either one of you? I tried this and I'm wondering if I should do this from the DOS screen (with F8) and thinking that is what I did wrong...I did it while logged on. While I wait for this answer, I'm going to try it from F8 but here is what I got

While on Vista

Only shows Disk 0 partition
"Clean all" followed by...
"The selected disk is necessary to the operation of your computer and cannot be cleaned"

While on 8.1
Same thing, Only Disk 0 partition shows up
"Clean all"
Virtual disk error - clean is not allowed on the disk containing the current boot, system, page file, crash dump, or hibernation volume"

Wasn't sure from the "get-go" if I was suppose to do this from DOS or Logged in...I may be wasting my time because I'm about to try it by restarting and F8 - but just incase that's not the issue...

Nevermind, thank you both for your help!!! This is done!!!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 3048
    CPU
    Intel (R) Pentium (R) CPUG3220T
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc OHDSK4
    Memory
    4.0 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Inspiron 3048
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Hard Drives
    ST1000LM024 HN-M101MBB
    Browser
    IE
    Antivirus
    none yet...just installed new OS
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