Partitioning is rather helpful. Maintaining data in a partition separate from OS e.g. means that if OS crashed totally you can again install without changing data. If you want to partition hard drive, Partition Magic is a program from Symantec intended to help you do all these things.

Windows Based vs. Bootable CD

1. There are two methods to utilize Partition Magic through Windows interface or straight from a bootable CD.

The edition of the program you install and run in Windows environment cannot operate hard drive OS is running from for this reason it's best to utilize Windows program only to organize exterior hard drives, or a hard drive other than the one Windows is installed on.

The edition of program that boots from CD can edit primary Windows partition as it runs a whole OS from CD, although backing up data before trying this is always a good idea.

Interface

2. The programs intended to be as simple to utilize as likely, mainly presenting itself as a sequence of "wizards." Whether you want to resize a partition, make a new partition from blank space or join two partitions, you want only choose a task from appropriately named "Pick a Task" pane.

Booting from CD

3. If you have never booted from CD on a PC before process can be complex. When you power up PC briefly see name of company and two commands. One command tells how to enter Setup; another tells how to enter Boot menu. Push key necessary to enter Boot menu; it's often F12. If PC needs such instructions ask its documentation to learn how to boot from CD.

Limitations

4. Symantec has not out a stable edition of Partition Magic to market since 2004, so program is restricted in few key ways.

Firstly installed version runs only in Windows leaving Mac and Linux users out. Bootable version can technically run on Mac and Linux machines, but cannot edit partition those OSs use it's able of editing only NTFS and FAT32.

This Magic can’t execute with hard drives larger than 300 GB, limiting its value in today's world of 1000 GB drives for below $100.
Lastly program cannot be installed on Vista or Windows 7 machines; Symantec's said nothing about plans to release versions for these new OS.

Those looking for a program that can beat these limits must inspect GParted Live CD. This is an open source product that overcomes Partition Magic's limits.