Why Partitioning a drive in use requires one to reformat it?

[Viper69]

Just curious as I don't have the knowlegde, what is it about XP Pro OS's that prevent you from partioning the drive when its already been loaded with data/proggies etc?

That is, my single Maxtor drive is one giant partition, why can't I take it now and divide it up, putting games in one partition, sensitive data on another partition etc etc...why is it recommended to reformat your entire drive again?

[Xaotic]

The file sytem parameters and file locations are located in the MFT or Master File Table. OS will not have the ability to modify this without losing data, hence the need to reformat.

Moving existing programs is usually a bad idea, as the registry references list the current location rather then the modified locations. This can lead to major problems and instability.

All that said, third party utilities can reallocate drive partitions, Partition Magic mong others. Reallocation will not relocate data though.

[Viper69]

that makes sense quite a bit...thank you...I was thikning about something sorta like tha..but didn't have the brain power to come w/all that...reformate..man..that would suck right now to have to do, just to partition..eesh