Boot Camp Partition too small

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Level 1

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Boot Camp Partition too small

I created a boot camp partition for Windows 7 a few months ago, but I didn't make it big enough. Now I'm getting a "not enough space" message when I try to update to boot camp 3.2. I seem to remember that if I need to resize, I need to reinstall boot camp again - is that right, because I can't find where I read that?

I have a 2010 Macbook pro, 2.66 gHz, and my 32-bit windows partition was installed as 18 gb. I didn't think about having to run other software, like itunes, when I created the partition.

I've not been able to change the trackpad such that I can tap rather than click (VERY difficult for me to work with), and I was hoping boot camp 3.2 might fix that.

Any advice on all this would be gratefully received.

macbook pro, Mac OS X (10.6.4), broadband

Posted on Dec 5, 2010 12:38 PM

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Answer 1

Toocool4

Level 2

365 points

Dec 6, 2010 5:57 AM in response to Benzmum

The way I would say to do this is by using Winclone, a few people here say they've had problems with it but I have never had a problems.

If you get Winclone use it to clone off your Windows partition. Then using Boot Camp Assistant to make the partitions into 1 again. After that use Boot Camp Assistant again to re-create the partition size you want.

Once that is done clone your Windows back into the partition. Once that is done don’t forget to expand the Windows OS to make full use of the new space.

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Answer 2

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Dec 6, 2010 7:02 AM in response to Toocool4

Why aren't you mentioning the other options mentioned here in the past:

CopyCatx
CampTune
Casper 6

Yes, backup system image is a must, something Windows 7 can do.

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Answer 3

Toocool4

Level 2

365 points

Dec 6, 2010 7:15 AM in response to The hatter

Because I have never used them, I can only talk about what I’ve used.

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Answer 4

Benzmum Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 6, 2010 4:15 PM in response to The hatter

Sorry, you're losing me, guys.... 😟 I gather from your posts that I do indeed have to recreate the partition.

1) But what's this about "backup system image is a must?"

2) I want to be able to reinstall Windows 7 on a larger partition - will I have any copyright problems with this, using the Windows installation disk again?

3) And how do I calculate how big the partition should be, like how many GB?

If I sound a bit slow, it's because I'm only a MINI-geek, so I'd appreciate your patience.... :-}

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Answer 5

Toocool4

Level 2

365 points

Dec 7, 2010 2:08 AM in response to Benzmum

Well if you just want to re-install Windows all you have to do is back-up your data if any.

If you want to put everything back the way it is now, without having to re-install anything including Windows and not having to re-activate Windows then you make an image.

The size of your partition depends on what you are going to put on it. Don’t forget Windows need space for itself plus maybe 15% - 20% space to function properly. You will need space from your applications and the data they need.

So workout what you need else just split your drive in half, that’s what is did I have a 240GB drive.

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Answer 6

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Dec 7, 2010 2:33 AM in response to Toocool4

You (or I anyway) can always say and have a disclaimer and point to the recent thread describing and recommending CopyCatX for instance.

It only takes treating the 'net as a huge dictionary, there is this thing even for minigeeks,

highlight, control click, search/lookup

Page, hibernation, room for Windows 7 SP1 when it comes out (to shuffle files). as well as temp, cache, in addition to data and apps.

A 500MB compressed file will expand to 2.5GB, and need room to write temp files as it goes. I keep all the updates, installers and drivers for future use.

If people would only talk about what they have used we wouldn't discuss much at all, be that as it may.

People ask the same things about using Mac and OS X, "do I need to backup?" "will XYZ need to a new serial number."

WinClone: to insure a better chance, run system file checker and chkdsk first to prevent errors on restore. Or use Casper instead.

If it can go wrong, it will.

Investigate. Check Paragon-Software forums and ask about CampTune (how to use, manual, how to burn the CD, what precautions and limitations there are).

Pick up a book on Windows to get the basics, learn a bit more. The people writing have years of expertise to share.

+I'm trying to get out of the business of hand-holding and being "on call" (and the bumps from the whywontsomeoneanswermyplea threads).+

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Answer 7

Toocool4

Level 2

365 points

Dec 7, 2010 3:00 AM in response to The hatter

Look I don’t mean to be funny or anything, I can talk about what I’ve used and works for me.

This guy is not stupid, everyone can use Google he can find more answers on the web.
I never take one answer I always do my research and find more answers before I do anything. Once I’m suitably informed I do what’s good for me.

This guy I’m sure is doing the same, he is not going to do what I say because I say so.

If you have more solutions give him the info so he can be better informed.

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Answer 8

Benzmum Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 8, 2010 5:53 PM in response to Toocool4

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Toocool4.

Hatter, I always search for solutions before I ask - I come to forums as a last resort when I'm not confident about proceeding without some advice. If you don't like the questions I ask, you don't have to get involved and answer. I didn't ask anything about doing backups - I backup my data regularly to an external drive. I asked what "backup system image" meant because I hadn't heard that expression before and I thought it might have been something critical I needed to know before I reinstalled my partition.

Before I moved over to Mac, I spent 9 years learning how to maintain my own pc, so I've got some idea of what I'm doing. But there are always things to learn, and I'm grateful to those who are willing to share their knowledge - I've used what I've learned to help those of my friends who are real novices, and at times I've even contributed to forums.

Since I only use my Windows partition for music, I think it'll be simple enough for me to just recreate. The 15-20 percent rule sounds like a good one, Toocool4, and I wish I'd thought of it before! This time I'll build a partition factoring in the size of software, like itunes, as well, and I'll make it big enough to cover everything!

If I've misunderstood the image-creating ideas, please set me straight; otherwise I'll assume just going thru the bootcamp instructions will serve me well again.

And BTW, I'm a GIRL, not a guy. 🙂

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Answer 9

Toocool4

Level 2

365 points

Dec 9, 2010 1:51 AM in response to Benzmum

Hi Benzmum you are one of the guys now 😉

Try the link below to see how I use Winclone

http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=12624355#12624355

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Answer 10

Benzmum Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 9, 2010 11:15 AM in response to Toocool4

OK, read your description of how you used Winclone - pretty complicated! And I'm fine with Windows 32-bit. I think I'll just copy my files over to a CD and then recreate the partition. I don't believe I have any updates or settings that I really need to save (windows update will let me know if I do) and reinstalling itunes isn't a big deal. I just needed reassurance that it wouldn't be disastrous to shuffle files, recreate and then re-add files.

Now I need to go find a discussion about not being able to change my trackpad settings....

Thanks!

[I'm one of the GUYS - woo HOO!! :-)]

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