PartitionMagic
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 Main window of Norton PartitionMagic 8.05 |
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| Stable release | 8.05 (Build 1371) / 2004-05-05 |
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| Operating system | DOS, Microsoft Windows (excluding Vista), WinPE |
| Development status | Discontinued/unmaintained/outdated |
| Type | Partition editor |
| License | Proprietary |
| Website | www.symantec.com/norton/partitionmagic/ |
PartitionMagic is a computer program for hard disk drive partitioning originally made by the PowerQuest corporation but now owned by Symantec. The program runs on Microsoft Windows operating systems (only 2000 and XP, not Vista) or from a bootable CD-ROM and enables creation and modification of partitions. Existing partitions can be resized without loss of data.
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[edit] Details
PartitionMagic is capable of resizing NTFS or FAT (16 or 32) partitions without data loss, and can copy and move partitions, including to other disks. It also has various other features, including being able to convert between FAT16, FAT32 and NTFS, modify the cluster size of FAT16/32 and NTFS filesystems, and merge adjacent FAT or NTFS filesystems (all without data loss, though some NTFS-only metadata is lost on conversion to FAT). Additionally, it has somewhat limited support for ext2 and ext3 partitions.
PartitionMagic releases 1–3 were offered both in OS/2 and Windows versions. Symantec's PartitionMagic version 8 only supports Windows.
[edit] Future versions
PartitionMagic, while under PowerQuest, was updated regularly, adding new and useful features. Since Symantec purchased the application in 2003[1], there has not been a new release, and Symantec has stated that it has no plans on releasing a new version.[2]
As of December 8, 2009, the Symantec website states, "Sorry, we no longer offer Norton Partition Magic."
[edit] Compatibility issues
PartitionMagic is compatible with Windows NT, 98, ME, 2000, and XP desktop editions. However, it is not compatible with Windows NT, 2000, or 2003 server editions, nor does it run on Windows Vista or Windows 7. It can manage/modify Windows Vista or Windows 7 partitions when started from a compatible operating system such as Windows XP.
PartitionMagic 2.0.5, VolumeManager 7 and VolumeManager 8 cannot resize dynamic disks [3].
[edit] References
- ^ Symantec to Acquire PowerQuest
- ^ Nistor, Codrut (2006-08-04). "Ever Thought About Slicing Your Hard Drive?". Softpedia. http://www.softpedia.com/reviews/windows/Partition-Magic-Review-31911.shtml. Retrieved 2007-01-01.
- ^ http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/215314-46-changing-volume-sizes-dynamic-disks
[edit] See also
- Disk partitioning
- List of disk partitioning software
- resize2fs, a utility to resize ext2 file systems was written in part by PowerQuest, the original makers of PartitionMagic.
