PC Hacks

Hack #46. Create or Delete NTFS Partitions from the Recovery Console

Create and delete NTFS partitions using the DISKPART from the Recovery Console.

Windows versions from NT to Windows Server 2003 know nothing about FDISK but provide their own partitioning tool, DISKPART, which is run from the Windows Recovery Console. DISKPART is a command-line utility used to add/create or delete NTFS partitions with some very simple commands.

1. Boot using your recovery diskettes or setup CD and select the Recovery Console option. Alternatively, you can boot with a DOS diskette that provides CD-ROM support and type:

                     \i386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons

2. At the command prompt, issue the DISKPART command followed by the appropriate command.

3. The following command lines delete a partition:

                     diskpart /delete \Device\HardDisk0\Partition3
                     diskpart /delete F:

   The following command line adds a 2,048 MB partition:

                     diskpart /add \Device\HardDisk0 2048

4. Type exit to leave the Recovery Console and restart the system.

The command line for DISKPART supports only the /add and /delete commands:

/add

Adds a new partition. Supports the optional parameter size, which specifies the partition size in megabytes.

/delete device_name | drive_name | partition

Deletes a partition. device_name specifies the device on which to create or delete a partition. Use the MAP command from the Recovery Console command line to get a list of device names (for example, \Device\HardDisk0). drive_name specifies the partition you want to delete by drive letter ...