How to resize the primary Windows XP partition?

I just cloned my failing 250 GB hard drive onto a 500 GB hard drive (so I wouldn't have to re-install everything, etc.), but now the drive only thinks it is 250 GB. How do I tell it about the other 250 GB of space available on the drive? Preferably I'd like to just resize the partition so it takes all 500 GB of space, but I'd settle for mapping the other 250 GB to another drive letter.

This is in Windows XP.

Solution 1:

You cannot resize Windows system partition while being booted from that partition, so you should use an external tool for this purpose.

Personally, I prefer PartedMagic: it is a very good and stable Linux-based partitioning tool which you can start from CD or a flash drive. The interface is obvious enough, but if you have any questions, you can leave a comment.

Solution 2:

Try EASEUS Partition Master. You can run this from Windows itself, and it's free for home users.

Solution 3:

You could try to boot from a Linux live CD and run Gparted, it may work for you.