Partitioning Newbie

[macdaddy121]

I have had Windows through Bootcamp on my Macbook for about 4-6 months. I didn't understand how I put it on here and I didn't understand the whole partitioning this hard drive for that and all the other stuff....I just installed and went between Windows and OSX when I needed to. Being in school for Architecture I need to be on Windows alot. I only partitioned 5 GB to Windows.....big mistake. Now I need to repartition which means reformat and reinstall. So now that I am doing it over again, I have some questions.

I have a 500GB External. How do I save everything onto that so that I can reformat and keep all of my stuff? When partitioning in bootcamp I remember it asked me if I wanted to do a more secure form of harddrive or an easier form for transfering files hard drive....which one should I do and why? Also, how do I partition the external to where I can put both Windows and Mac software on there?

Sorry for the long post but this stuff confuses me. Thanks for helping me out and all info is wanted.

Thanks.

 

[macdaddy121]

Anyone please??

 

[Teh Don Ditty]

You could format the the external HD to FAT32, which would be read by both OS X and Windows. Or you can buy mac drive for windows.

EDIT: I'm pretty sure you can repartition your internal hard drive without losing all your data. (Repartition using the Boot Camp manager)

 

[macdaddy121]

Thanks Don, I will look into that. Anyone else want to try and help??

 

[steveski]

I had the same thing (I partitioned 16BG to Windows) but I need to divert more. How do I use the bootcamp manager to repartition my hard-drive again without losing all my data.

Hope there is some way to solve our problem 'Macdaddy.