Allocating unallocated space on HD

[keybowvio]

If you've seen my other posts, you know the pain I've been through to try and reinstall windows xp, now for my next problem.
I sent it Back to the manufacturer (Gateway) so that they could install the os, "professionaly". Well, windows its installed, but now, when I go to disk management and look at the HD, I see 90 gig working perfectly, able to write data to it, and the other 90 gig as unallocated space.

How do I make the unallocated space become part of my regular partition?

I think that through my readings I vaguely remember seeing the sad news that windows cannot allocated the space by itself. Is this true? If it is, do I need to buy partition magic (or some other software package), or do you reccomend a freeware program?

keep this in mind when you reply: I've struggled with installing windwos for about 3 (maybe more, I've lost track) weeks now, I just want my computer to work. I want what is safest so I won't have to reinstall windows, again. I've tried to avoid paying any money ever since the beginning of my venture with linux(read my posts in the linux forum as well). I didn't want to buy partition magic, I thought I would just "go for it" and hope no data would be lost, but know, I'm out $60 for shipping to Gateway, and probably $60 more for partition magic, and coutless photos and videos. I've learned my lesson- nothings free, just help me get it working, safely.
-Thanks

[Gecko]

Be aware that there is a chance that Gateways system restore is on that unallocated partition.

Before I would do anything I would look for Gateway’s restore tool.
Usually found through Start > All programs > Accessories > System tools or
Start > All programs > Gateway tools or something like that.

[keybowvio]

The only thing that I saw was System restore, under all programs. In the help manual, I saw it describe different ways of restoring your system, making backup disks, reserving a HD partition, microsoft system restore, etc...
When I first turned the system on, I saw a few icons loaded on the desktop that i never saw before and I could not find a readme or help anywhere on the system, so I must ask, does anyone know what "production smart image" is? or at least an idea of what it might do?

Also, I consulted Gateway Tech support again, as usual, they go through one option, It doesn't work, and they want me to connect it the internet and let them do it, which, despite the pain it will take to carry the machine downstairs, and install the drivers for the dsl modem, wich I might do.

If I do connect it to the internet, I would have to unplug the dsl modem from computer b, if I unplug it and install the software to get it working on machine a, would I still be able to just plug it back into machine b, or would it be "formatted" to machine a, meaning I would have to reinstall it? I have the Westell versalink327W

[Gecko]

No need to go through all that work just to format unallocated space.
I went through your other posts and it looks like you have a restore CD set correct?

If that is the case then you can use “Computer Management” to partition and format the unallocated space.
Go to Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Computer Management.

In the left pane expand “Storage” now select “Disk Management”
From there you can format the unallocated space to NTFS and you’ll have a window XP partition/drive.

You could also download and use one of the partitioning tools found on this CD

[keybowvio]

thanks, I did that and now I have two partitions. I now realize that it is better to have two partitions, especially because i have a 180 gig HD, plenty of space to go around.

well, i guess i am better off now then when I started- A head full of knowledge and a computer with two partitions. Thanks for all of your help!

its nice to have a compueter that works

[Gecko]

[keybowvio]

Thanks, under the system restore tool that I mentioned before, one option is to create cd(s) that contain all the drivers and or software installed on the machine, but I will also copy the contents of the cds onto my HD, cds have a way of dissapearing, if you know what I mean, especially the more important ones!
-thanks again