I have a 250GB hard drive with three partitions.Windows XP. I'd like to merge two of the partitions, C: and E: (which contains most of my computers programs) without tampering with the third (which contains all of my media files). I realize that I'll probably have to reinstall my software programs. Are there any good FREE programs out there that can do this? I don't want to spend $60 on a program and only use it once.

Or, can I (or should I) do a clean reinstall of windows to re partition my hard drive? And could I do that while leaving drive F: intact?

Try going to Osalt.com and type in partitionmagic or acronis. The results should pop up some freeware alternatives.

*Edited for Content. We do not condone illegal softre distribution in any way, shape or form. Keep it clean guys ! -SJ

Firstly, if your windows xp came on the hard drive, (not on a disc), then downgrade to service pack 1 & then Backup your both your "Windows>I386" folder & your "Windows>Drivers" folder to a cd/dvd-r. In the folder there should be a WINNT32.EXE file. This file is used later for re-installing windows xp. Make sure that you have your windows xp registration code (should be on a sticker that came with your pc). The drivers folder can be used to easily install drivers after the installation.

Boot up with a boot disc (buy one from ebay, should be about £3), it should probably be similar to windows. Then delete the 2 partitions that you want to merge, leaving F as it is (be careful to choose the right partitions).

Then format that "unnallocated space" that you just created. There should be a tool on the boot disc to do it, probably in "computer management" or disc tools or something.

Then name it with a letter & make it the Active Partition, should be able to do both by right clicking on the partition in computer management/ disc tools/ partitioner whatever it is you're using to partition with.

Then copy the I386 folder that you backed up earlier, to the empty partition.

Open the folder when it's finished copying, & double click on the WINNT32.exe file.

It should load up a blue screen with the Windows XP installer (just like the one that comes on discs, but it's loading from your hard drive).
Follow the instructions, after a while it will reboot your pc, you need to quickly take both the boot disc & the I386 backup disc out of your dvd drives quickly at this point so that when it reboots it loads the windows xp installer again to continue with the installation process.

Make sure it selects the partition that you want, it allows you to change it.

Just follow the instructions on screen entering your preferences etc until Windows is installed. Then register windows by phone (or online). Do this BEFORE installing XP Service pack 2 or it might not let you activate XP, SP2 changes the code that's why.

I have re-installed my XP several times with this method. The PC is always so much quicker after a fresh installation.

If you have another PC, you could plug your hdd into that as a slave & do the formatting & copying in windows (control panel>administrative tools>computer management>disc management). It would probably be much quicker & easier this way. Then put it back in your original PC (as a Master) & load up the boot disc so that you can double click on the WIINT32.exe in I386 to start the installer (as above).