How to Partition a new hard drive?

[stevep-4]

Just recieved my desktop (RX405) from Sony after 8 weeks away.

Sony have installed (amonst other hardware), a new hard drive. This has not been partitioned.(The original hard drive WAS partionied, C:/ and D:/ ) (Currently the D:/ drive is the memorystick)

Even though I am ADMINISTRATOR, I cannot create a new partition. Following windows instructions, I open Computer management,
click on disk manangement
There is no "unallocated region" to click on, so not possible to go amy further (to the partition wizard).

I have tried in the dos box, but it tells me my instructions are "not valid"

The best John Lewis can say is to do a system recovery, or call Sony.

Any ideas?

[iainjturner]

Your VAIO recovery disks will probably do the partition for you, if you select Format and recover. If you don't want to format your best bet is to use software such as Partition Magic.

[kee-lo_]

I would suggest using FDISK from a boot disk you have.

[stevep-4]

All done now, by performing a system restore., though that should not be necessary on a new hard drive from Sony. It should have been supplied partitioned.

[kee-lo_]

Yeah I agree, but maybe they felt you might not want the partition.

[stevep-4]

Surely they should have returned the computer to fully standard specification, which includes a pre-partitioned hard drive.

[kee-lo_]

Yeah but you know Sony, "well, we'll leave it to the user as we have other things to do".

[iainjturner]

Like provide an excellent support service that customers can rely on to get them out of trouble...

[size=7]Can anyone tell I'm being sarcastic?

[stevep-4]

Ever thought about taking up comedy as a career?

Too many big companies forget that how you handle a customer and his post-sale problems greatly influences that persons future spending habits.

[kee-lo_]

Too many big companies forget that how you handle a customer and his post-sale problems greatly influences that persons future spending habits.

Spot on - I had trouble with a retailer (online). They don't have a pre-sales department and the description of the item was very very minimal. So I called, and they couldn't help, so I said "I'll take my business elsewhere".