How to merge 2 partitions
 

I'm posting this information in case some people might it useful. Here is a solution for people who want to merge 2 partitions, but are unable or unwilling to use PartitionMagic:

1. Make sure you backup partition #2 that you want absorbed into partition #1. The data in #2 will have to be erased.

2. Go to the command line (Start > Programs > Accessories > Command line) and type DISKPART

3. At the prompt line (DISKPART>), type:
- LIST DISK
- SELECT DISK [enter disk number]
- LIST PARTITION
- SELECT PARTITION 2 (or number of partition to be absorbed)
- DELETE PARTITION (this will format the partition to be absorbed, so make sure you have a copy of your files elsewhere)

4. Now, to extend partition #1:
- LIST VOLUME
- SELECT VOLUME [enter number of the volume assigned to the drive you are merging]
- EXTEND (this will resize partition #1 to take up all the unallocated space in the hard drive)

Re: How to merge 2 partitions
 

Not quite merging - but rather backing up elsewhere which may not always be possible and extending - this can all be done using the disk management GUI tool ad well rather than going command line AFAIK