Reformat Hard Drive

[panthersfan25]

Hello All,

I am new to the world of IT and learning more and more each day. Currently where I work at, the IT guy that was used is no longer being used. The first major issue that I have ran into trying to take his place, is that every client computer (6 total) are displaying the message "Low Disk Space". The hard drives are partitioned into two (2) parts, C:(20GB) and O:(Varies). The issue is that all of the program files are installed on the C: drive and from what I have read in other posts, this is not correct, they are to be installed on the data drive.

My first question is what is the easiest way to fix this issue, change partition sizes or move program files?

I am assuming a reformat of some sort. If I back up each partition, C: and O:, and then reformat to change the size, can I restore the backup points and maintain system and network settings? (NOTE- I do not have all of the network settings or system settings including passwords, so I need to try and maintain what is already in place)

I know that in many forums, they had said to just uninstall the program files and reinstall them on the correct partition. I have two questions regarding this...

1.) We use QuickBooks and do not have a CD for the most recent updated version, it was downloaded, will I be able to install the 2008 software and then still get the upgrades without having to purchase them again? There are 5 software programs that this is the case for.

2.) Will reinstalling them require more licenses or is there a way to show that it is simply being reinstalled on the same PC?

Any help is greatly appreciated!! (Sorry for the long post :) )

[Syndrose]

Hello All,

I am new to the world of IT and learning more and more each day. Currently where I work at, the IT guy that was used is no longer being used. The first major issue that I have ran into trying to take his place, is that every client computer (6 total) are displaying the message "Low Disk Space". The hard drives are partitioned into two (2) parts, C:(20GB) and O:(Varies). The issue is that all of the program files are installed on the C: drive and from what I have read in other posts, this is not correct, they are to be installed on the data drive.

My first question is what is the easiest way to fix this issue, change partition sizes or move program files?

I am assuming a reformat of some sort. If I back up each partition, C: and O:, and then reformat to change the size, can I restore the backup points and maintain system and network settings? (NOTE- I do not have all of the network settings or system settings including passwords, so I need to try and maintain what is already in place)

I know that in many forums, they had said to just uninstall the program files and reinstall them on the correct partition. I have two questions regarding this...

1.) We use QuickBooks and do not have a CD for the most recent updated version, it was downloaded, will I be able to install the 2008 software and then still get the upgrades without having to purchase them again? There are 5 software programs that this is the case for.

2.) Will reinstalling them require more licenses or is there a way to show that it is simply being reinstalled on the same PC?

Any help is greatly appreciated!! (Sorry for the long post :) )

First you need to find out what is on the O: drive, if programs are actually installed on it, you may just want to figure out a way to clean up drive C: so that you don't get the errors, and move the commonly used folders, like My Documents etc, to the O drive.

If the data on the O driver is just data files, no programs that are installed, you can move them to an external drive temporarily, re-size the C: partition with a boot CD like GPART live CD http://gparted.sourceforge.net/livecd.php

You will ultimately have to look at the O drive and determine if programs have been installed or of it is just user data.

As far as quickbooks goes, you should have a login for their website which will allow you to re-download any updates you have purchased.

The Licenses are not an issue, you will need to check with Quickbooks, see if there is a "deactivate" option somewhere in the program, then uninstall it, and reinstall it on another machine. Good news is most companies are really cool about it if you call them and tell them you had a computer crash etc, and are re-installing it, they will either give you a new key or add activations to the key you already have.