When to resize partitions during restore?

[delfs]

Hi all

It's time for me to restore my T41. This shouldn't be a problem, I guess, but I wan't to resize the partitions in the same go. Currently I have 10.7GB, 3.88GB and 17.8GB (according to Windows), but I just want two partitions ~15GB & 18GB.
Can this be done using fdisk somewhere in the process, or do I have to use some 3rd party utility (Partition Magick) after restore?

Thanks in advance!

Best regards, Jonas

[RealBlackStuff]

Do NOT touch FDISK! It'll wipe out everything.

The 3.88GB is probably your Restore Partition, the 10.7GB the XP partition and the rest is probably for other Data.
If you want to restore in future, you can't do it from your Rest-Part if you delete it!

To change partition sizes you need the likes of Partition Magic.
Before you do anything, you need to ascertain, where the partitions physically are.
If 3.88 is first, then 10.7, (or 10.7, and then 3.88) and finally 17.8 you are in business.
Take an image (with Acronis TrueImage or DriveImage) of all your partitions first. You may need to take the HD out and connect it with a 2.5"-3.5" adapter in your PC, to do this.
If you are certain you want to delete the Restore partition, then do so, using PartitionMagic.
Important: to avoid problems, hit the Apply button after EVERY action.
Next, resize the 10.7 to include the free space from the deleted partition and hit Apply. The new partition, which will be roughly 14.5GB.
If the 3.88 was first, PM will shift all your data to the beginning of the new partition, if it came second you gain free space at the end.
I wouldn't bother resizing any more.