[jdc_tech]

Anyone know how to turn off xp's auto extended partition creating behavior? Scenario: 80gb drive, install w2k into a 10gig manually created primary partition, finish, reboot, install xp into a 10gb manually created partition, finish, reboot, open diskmgr to create a 60gb primary partition for a data volume and can't. You can create a 60gb logical volume, but not a primary because xp claimed the remainder of the drivespace (60gb) automatically as part of it's 'extended partition'. I'm trying to shut this off.

I'm using a winnt.sif with 'AutoPartition=0' of which does stop the unattended install for manual creation of partitions, but this switch does not effect the auto-choosing/selecting/creating of xp's extended partitioning. Like in NT, if xp see's a primary created it auto-makes extended for itself plus now, this new behavior. I'm on the boat, I'm aware several os's install and run just fine on extended partitions (ie- Linux, NT4, W2K, XP, etc), yet I'm a multi os booter and there are several advantages to NOT having xp auto create this extended partition.

Anyone know of a switch to turn this off? It has to be a 'choice' option as w2k, nor NT4 would operate with this claiming drive space outside of defined behavior (that I ever experienced anyway) or perhaps it's hard coded, but is it a choice we can script? So far, the rest of the world only knows to change their load order of os's to deal with this, which i can do as well, short of using other helpful utilities, but for convenience can xp be told to do different?


Thanks,

jdc

[jdc_tech]

Hey all, thanks for the views. Yep, don't know how to 'fix' this either. Going to handle it w/partition magic, hiding partitions and the like. Thanks for readin'.

jdc

[jdc_tech]

GOOD NEWS: Here was the load order: W2K,XP,RedHat9. Found you can stop xp from 'taking' your drive space if you simply create ahead of time a primary partition for it to install to. XP then completely ignored the remaining drivespace and created nothing. W2K at install time simply makes a default primary partition for itself anyway and follows your custom drive size specs. Good Luck!

jdc

[irishbear]

Hi jdc_tech,
there is no need to use partition magic, or to hide partitions. Just use FDisk to make as many partitions as you need. 1 for win2k 1 for XP and one for anyother. Then during install just point it to where you want it installed. EG. C:win2k, D:\ winXP and so on. If you nee you can make one to creat backups to. I have 8 partitions on my system, and use the last to make a quick recovery from in case of disaster. I use Drive Image Pro to backup every week. I allways make my first backup to Cd's.

Hope this is of some use..................Irish Bear.

[jdc_tech]

Thanks for the reply. Irish, your on the right track, the key to this was to have created the partition for xp before you install xp. If you let xp handle any of the partitioning at install time, it auto takes the rest of your drive in an extended partition. (even if your 'custom' defining the partions) -I got to try this all ways. And you can't delete the extended partition in this scenario cause xp is sitting on it.

Used to use partmag/system commander and still today is an outstanding choice. I see latest partmag has a boot mgr w/it, so u can save some cash. For after install partition maintenance, partmag (others) do great. Make that 5gig partition 10gig on the fly, reboot and go. It's great. Thnx again.


jdc