20
Changing the partition sizes
This section describes how to change the partition sizes.
About hard disk partitioning
Hard disk partitioning is to divide a hard disk into multiple partitions. It allows you to organize
your data or software on each hard disk partition more effectively.
The computer has a partition (C drive) only with the default settings. You can repartition the
hard disk into two partitions: C drive and D drive, and use the D drive as a location to back
up your data. You do not have to recover your computer system but use the feature for
Windows to repartition the hard disk. For information on how to create a partition, see
"Creating a hard disk partition" described below.
You can also change the partition sizes with the
VAIO Recovery Utility
software.
Creating a hard disk partition
The steps described here take as an example the hard disk partitioning to change the size
of the C drive and create another partition.
There are two options to create a partition:
❑
Create a partition using the feature for Windows.
❑
Create a partition using recovery discs.
You need to recover your computer system if you create a partition with recovery discs.
Recovering your computer system will delete all the data previously stored on a hard disk.
To create a partition with the feature for Windows
1
Click
Start
,
Control Panel
,
System and Maintenance
, and
Create and format hard
disk partitions
under
Administrative Tools
.
The
User Account Control
window appears.
2
Click
Continue
.
If you are currently logged onto your computer as a standard user, enter an administrator name
and password and click
Continue
.
3
Right-click the C drive and select
Shrink Volume
.
The
Shrink C:
window appears.
4
Specify the amount of space to shrink and click
Shrink
.
While you use your computer for a certain period of time, the unallocated hard disk space is
getting smaller. In this case, it is recommended to defragment the hard disk. To defragment the
hard disk, click
Start
,
All Programs
,
Accessories
,
System Tools
, and
Disk Defragmenter
.
5
Right-click
Unallocated
and select
New Simple Volume
.
The
New Simple Volume
wizard window appears.
6
Follow the on-screen instructions.
