[Mak213]

Where is that 60GB of unpartitioned space? It has to be directly "behind" the Win7 partition that you wish to increase. If it is located before the Win7 install or has a partition inbetween the Win7 install and the unpartitioned space it wont work. You have to have it directly next to it.

[kimsland]

Having 2 seperate drives is not a concern for Gparted
But you may wish to unplug the backup drive before doing partitioning work

I have already mentioned that Partition Magic is now way too old to work

I agree with Mak213, but I'd like to say the best option would be to remove the partition(s) and start again

[Mak213]

It isnt always the best option to remove and start over. GParted is a simple tool that will allow a user to move data around, even Windows installs, to get the unpartitioned space to where it needs to be. I have done it at least a dozen times with no ill effects. I know several others that have done it as well.

Starting over should be the last resort if GParted cant work. It will save you hours of time from having to reinstall all your software, adjust all your settings and restore all your backed up files.

The only way i would say start over, is if you dont have much information on there in the first place. If you are like several of us and have around 50-75 programs installed and configured, a format is the last thing you should think about as it can be done without it.

[kimsland]

Originally Posted by 35g700

I installed windows 7 pro about 2 weeks ago.

I don't think that will be a big concern in this case

[Mak213]

Says who? I install all my software right after I install Windows. So my 50-75 applications are on there before day 2 let alone day 14. By then i can reach almost 100 or more. You cant judge how much someone has installed just because they say it was only installed 2 weeks ago. Some people have all their executable files stored on a external drive for easy access to install right away.

[Trotter]

Partition Wizard

It's free, comes in both 32 and 64 bit, and has a bootable CD version, too.

[kimsland]

Originally Posted by Mak213

Some people have all their executable files stored on a external drive for easy access to install right away.

In this case I would recommend removing the partition then

[Mak213]

But that doesnt save time, effort or help the user. That is like formatting and reinstall a OS because it got "slow" instead of taking proper steps to make sure it is maintained. To remove the partition and redo them is not necessary with the tools available now. It should be a last resort method like reinstalling a OS. There are so many other things that can be done first before it has to go to that extreme.

[35g700]

Originally Posted by Mak213

Where is that 60GB of unpartitioned space? It has to be directly "behind" the Win7 partition that you wish to increase. If it is located before the Win7 install or has a partition inbetween the Win7 install and the unpartitioned space it wont work. You have to have it directly next to it.

That was the problem. I had to move a 135GB partition and put the 60GB unallocated space next to the 40GB I wanted to expand.

Its moving things now when it's done will everything work the way it did before? Will it still boot to the correct OS when I select that or am I going to have to go edit that?

[Mak213]

That depends. Where was the unpartitioned space previously? It could possibly end up messing with the BCD if the BCD recognized the Os install as the 2nd or 3rd partition.

That is why i asked how the partitions were setup so that i could give better information on what could be done, what the best option would be and if it would work afterwards. Taking a OS install from the 2nd partition and making it the first partition will mess with the boot. Which will need to be repaired.