merge two partitions without losing data on one of them?

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Level 1

70 points

merge two partitions without losing data on one of them?

I have an external HD partitioned into 2 volumes. I want to preserve the data on one of the volumes and merge it into the other volume. Is this possible? I would simply backup the data before merging them but I don't have the drive space. Thanks.

12 PB G4, 1.33Ghz, 1.25 RAM, Mac OS X (10.3.5)

Posted on Mar 20, 2006 2:33 AM

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Answer 1

Tim Haigh

Level 7

24,198 points

Mar 20, 2006 2:45 AM in response to M4TH

I did a quick google for you and found this review on macosxhints of a utility called iPartition.

I have not used this utility myself so I cannot comment on how good it is.

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Answer 2

Mar 20, 2006 3:42 AM in response to M4TH

You need to look for a tool that has the ability to resize partitions 'non-destructively'. Macosxhints.com gave iPartition 10 out of 10:
http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20041130014827278

Matt
edit Sorry Tim, opened the reply window and then wandered off!

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Answer 3

Tim Haigh

Level 7

24,198 points

Mar 20, 2006 4:12 AM in response to Matt Peacock

They say 'great minds think alike' 🙂

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Answer 4

msuper69

Level 6

8,689 points

Mar 20, 2006 5:29 AM in response to M4TH

Even if iPartition is able to combine the 2 partitions into 1, you should have a good backup of the data you want to retain. On-the-fly partitioning is risky business. Besides, what are you going to do if the hard drive decides to give up the ghost before, during or after the re-partitioning? What would you do if the drive failed now?

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Answer 5

M4TH Author

Level 1

70 points

Mar 20, 2006 5:40 AM in response to msuper69

it's just archives of old work - wouldn't be the end of the world if I lost it, but obviously best if I didn't! I understand it is risky business, but was more wondering if there was a relatively 'safe' way to do it, or if I was way off-base in thinking that.

Thanks all for the replys, I will check out the capabilities of iPartition.

Please let me know if anyone knows if this is possible or has actually done it.

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