New Computer, Less Service - why should I be surprised?

OK, so this is part rant and part request for suggestions.

My old computer has been dying. This past weekend I finally bought a new one; same manufacturer since I was so happy with my old machine.

After spending almost 3 hours making my own emergency restore disks (why in the world did we ever let the manufacturers get away with that mess), I noticed they set up a 100GB drive with only one partition - C:

My old machine came already preconfigured with the drive partitioned with both a C and D. (I prefer this as to keep my files separate from the system files). I went looking on the web and didn't see any info on this that sounded feasible with not having original software. Went on Sony's website (the OEM) and ended up in their online suuport chat.

I was told that the software the machine came with does not allow to partition the drive. Wow. Then the tech passed on this piece of wisdom, 'You can put your files on the C drive.' Double Wow and NO DUH!

The tech suggested I should visit my nearest software retailer to purchase software to help me with this. I don't know anyone who sets up a new PC with only one partition! And now I have to buy something else to do it?

Hopefully, this will be my only problem with this machine, but what a poor start.

OK, rant over now; but still not a happy camper.

You can still partition your hard disk using power quest partion magik.

It is a great tool for partitioning.

Is that something free or open source?

What's the risk to the exising data and files?

It is not open source, and there is no risk at all.

I have used it plenty of times with no problem.

Thanks Nik!

Anyone know of a free on they trust? I'm feeling a little poor right now.

why not back-up the files again to the old drive, use a boot-disk, and use command options to partition the disk before install, that would cost nada, although a bit cumbersome... What Nik suggested would be the hassle free approach...

or you can remove your old hard drive and slave it to the new one so you will have a drive C, D and E.

Thanks for the ideas, but I'm not sure they would work with a laptop.

The only thing that will work with a laptop is something like partition magik

how much does this partition software cost?

I really don't remember, but I guess it wont cost more than $50 - $100