Partitioning Software

drummer · Aug 05, 2009, 21:36:54

Apologies if this has been done to death but my forum search didn't produce what I was looking for.

For years I've been using the same (final) version of Powerquest's Partition Magic but it's utterly woeful when it comes to partitioning SATA drives, so I'm on the lookout for a new piece of kit.

I don't mind paying for decent software and the two headliners in my searches so far have been Acronis Disk Director and Paragon Partition Manager. Freeware is an option but there's so much free partitioning software out there, I can't make an informed decision. Although GParted is very good, I don't trust myself when I'm using it.

So, does anyone have opinions on either of the above paid-for programs or is there something better/similar that's eluded my searches?

Simon · Aug 05, 2009, 22:24:00

Never used either, Drummer, but I'm sure someone will have.

Ray · Aug 05, 2009, 22:46:19

I used to like and use Partition Magic, Drummer, but I changed over and started using O & O Partitionmanager a couple of months ago, I've found it to work well and is fairly easy to use.

drummer · Aug 06, 2009, 00:32:13

Quote from: Ray on Aug 05, 2009, 22:46:19
I used to like and use Partition Magic, Drummer, but I changed over and started using O & O Partitionmanager a couple of months ago, I've found it to work well and is fairly easy to use.

Ooh, that didn't feature in any of my searches which is odd, because I've been using O&O CleverCache for yonks now.

Thanks for that recommendation.

Rik · Aug 06, 2009, 08:53:20

I've given up using partitions these days and tend to use extra drives instead, but I'd go with Ray's recommendation from the last time I did partition.

Ronin · Aug 06, 2009, 11:36:08

it works well for me O & O all the way

Quote from: Ray on Aug 05, 2009, 22:46:19
I used to like and use Partition Magic, Drummer, but I changed over and started using O & O Partitionmanager a couple of months ago, I've found it to work well and is fairly easy to use.

drummer · Aug 06, 2009, 17:12:43

Thanks people - O&O it is then.

wiltshirejohn · Aug 11, 2009, 14:49:15

S'funny... I've been using Partition Magic (rev 8.01) on the two SATA drives in this machine with no problems at all. (Must be my lucky day.)

Regards - wiltshirejohn

Rik · Aug 11, 2009, 15:18:27

Get a lottery ticket quick, John.

drummer · Aug 19, 2009, 21:06:33

Well I've just installed the 30-day trial of O&O Partition Manager and the GUI is refreshingly reassuring enough to make me confident that the program will do all I expect.

The website makes quite a big deal about the O&O boot CD but the program's Help files only refer to booting from a Windows PE CD, with no instructions about how to create one.

The trial version appears to be the full program, so I'm guessing one needs to purchase the actual O&O PM CD to make use of this.

Or maybe I've missed something.

Mouseroo · Aug 19, 2009, 21:39:41

FWIW, the Easus partition master tool is highly recommended among the freeware community:

http://www.partition-tool.com/personal.htm

I've tried it, and quite like it. No ill side effects.

esh · Aug 20, 2009, 13:40:53

Well I don't know if you did try it in the end, by GPartEd isn't scary at all. Really. I've resized NTFS Windows drives and all sorts of nonsense with it. If you have a spare drive/PC to play with though all the better

drummer · Aug 20, 2009, 19:03:24

Quote from: Mouseroo on Aug 19, 2009, 21:39:41
FWIW, the Easus partition master tool is highly recommended among the freeware community:

http://www.partition-tool.com/personal.htm

I've tried it, and quite like it. No ill side effects.

That looks interesting, so thanks for that. I've downloaded and will give it a bash when time permits.

drummer · Aug 20, 2009, 19:12:23

Quote from: esh on Aug 20, 2009, 13:40:53
Well I don't know if you did try it in the end, by GPartEd isn't scary at all. Really. I've resized NTFS Windows drives and all sorts of nonsense with it. If you have a spare drive/PC to play with though all the better

I did and it was certainly on the list of possibles until I rebooted the computer and found it had installed a crummy-looking bootloader without my permission.

So at the moment I have the hump with it.

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JB · Aug 21, 2009, 12:39:40

Quote from: Mouseroo on Aug 19, 2009, 21:39:41
FWIW, the Easus partition master tool is highly recommended among the freeware community:

http://www.partition-tool.com/personal.htm

I've tried it, and quite like it. No ill side effects.

I see they do a free backup software as well called Todo Backup 1.0. The description looks very similar to the way that Acronis True Image works.