I installed a new 120 GB external hard drive that I will use for back up purposes. I would like to partition the drive but I have not been able to. The instruction with the hard drive for partitioning are identical to the instruction in the "Help" file of XP. - Right click MY COMPUTER, Select MANAGE, to open Computer Management window. Click Disk Management. Right click on the UNALLOCATED portion of the hard drive and select NEW Partition. Here is where I get lost. I do not see the words UNALLOCATED next to the new drive, and when I right click on the blue bar that indicates the drive capacity I get a box that only gives these options: open explore mark partition as active change drive letters and paths format delete partition properties help Can someone please tell me how to get to the UNALLOCATED portion so I can partition the drive? Thanks! Windchimes

As it is recognized, I would assume from your post that it is already partitioned (delete partition is the only related entry). then you have to format it for use. You could delete the partition and reset the whole drive partiton again or divide it into two partitions if needed. You will not see a prompt regarding 'Unallocated'. Good luck

Maybe something in this helps: HOW TO: Partition and Format a Hard Disk in Windows XP http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;313348 ------------------ Or check back later for help from others.

Thanks folks! That did the trick. I just reformatted the drive then I was able to set the partitions. Thanks again! Windchimes