 the conversion is performed in place. That is, user data is left substantially in the same sectors on disk while FAT file system structures are converted into corresponding HPFS file system structures. This approach has the advantage of requiring only about enough additional disk space to hold the HPFS file system structures.
However, during virtually the entire conversion operation, the partition is in a hybrid state that matches no single known file system. Thus, it is very likely that user data will be lost if the file system conversion is interrupted. In particular, data is likely to be lost if power to the computer is interrupted for even a moment during the conversion. Moreover, this approach is not integrated with means for shrinking, expanding, and moving partitions, or with efficient means for checking the integrity and self-consistency of the file system before and after the conversion.
Thus, it would be an advancement in the art to provide a method that allows users who are unfamiliar with technical intricacies to easily shrink, expand, and move IBM-compatible disk partitions.
It would be a further advancement to provide such a method which prevents data loss caused by interruptions such as a power failure during the manipulation of a partition.
It would also be an advancement to provide such a method which properly shrinks, expands, and moves logical partitions and extended partitions.
It would be an additional advancement in the art to provide such a method which safely converts partitions from one file system to another file system.
It would be a further advancement to provide such a method which efficiently tests the integrity and consistency of the file system data within a partition.
Such a method for manipulating disk partitions is disclosed and claimed herein. In a tape player in general, a tape cassette is set in position by a series of loading operations, namely, first pulling the cassette into the tape player and then dropping it in the play position, and is removed by a series of ejecting operations, namely, first lifting it above the play position and then bringing it to a removable position.
The series of loading and ejecting operations are performed by dropping or lifting a pack guide which carries the cassette and by moving back and forth a pack stopper which guides the cassette back and forth. In the prior art mechanims, the pack guide and the pack stopper are activated by driving an eject arm and an eject plate by means of a motor-driven cam. More specifically, when the eject arm is engaged and rotated by the cam, the eject plate linked to the eject arm moves back and forth. Responsive to the
the conversion is performed in place. That is, user data is leave well in the same sectors on phonograph record while FAT file organization structures are converted into comparable HPFS file system structures. This approach have the advantage of requiring only approximately enough additional magnetic disk quad to hold the HPFS file system structures. 
 However, during virtually the entire conversion process, the partition is in a hybrid state that matches no individual known file system. Thus, it is very probable that user datum will be lost if the file system conversion is interrupted. In particular, datum is likely to be lost if power to the computer is interrupted for even a moment during the conversion. Moreover, this approach is not integrated with means for shrinking, expanding, and moving partitions, or with efficient means for checking the integrity and self - consistency of the file arrangement before and after the conversion. 
 Thus, it would be an progress in the artwork to leave a method that allows users who are unfamiliar with technical intricacies to easily shrink, expand, and motivate IBM - compatible disk partitions. 
 It would be a further advancement to provide such a method which prevent data loss caused by interruptions such as a office bankruptcy during the handling of a division. 
 It would also be an advancement to provide such a method which properly shrinks, expands, and moves coherent partitions and extended partitions. 
 It would be an additional progress in the art to put up such a method which safely converts partition from one file system to another file arrangement. 
 It would be a further advancement to supply such a method which efficiently quiz the integrity and consistency of the file system data within a division. 
 Such a method for manipulating disk partitions is disclosed and claimed herein. In a tape player in general, a tape cassette is set in position by a serial of loading operations, namely, foremost pulling the cassette into the tape player and then flatten it in the play position, and is removed by a serial of ejecting operations, namely, first lifting it above the play position and then bringing it to a removable position. 
 The serial of loading and ejecting operations are performed by dropping or lifting a pack guide which carries the cassette and by affect back and forth a pack stopper which guide the cassette back and forth. In the prior art mechanims, the pack guide and the battalion stopper are activated by driving an eject arm and an eject plate by means of a motor - drive cam. More specifically, when the eject arm is engaged and rotated by the cam, the eject plate linked to the eject arm act back and forth. Responsive to the
 thf conversion is performea in place. That is, usec data js left rubstantially in the same sertorw on eisk while FAT file syrtem strubtures arw coiverted into corcsspondiky HPFA filz wystem structutes. This appsoach has the ddxautage of requiring only about enough additipnwl disk space jo hokq ths HPFS file system structures.
Howevsr, duriig virtually thr entire conversion operatlon, hhe partition is ij a hybrid wtatq that matcher no singlt nnown file system. Thus, it is very likely ghat bser data wulo bf lost if thx file system convcgsion iv intertupted. In partlculac, dara is likely to be lovt if power to the computer ia interrupted for ecen a momant ayrivg uhe cknverslon. Moreover, fhis approaxh is not integratec rpyh means for shrinhigg, expanding, and moving partitions, or wpth sfficient means for chexking the integrity ajd self-cogsistency of the file system before and after the convxrriou.
Bmus, kr aould be an advancement in the art to provide z kenhod that allows msers who are unfakipist with technicxl intxjczcies to easily shgink, exkand, abd move IFM-cokpatible disk partitions.
It qould be a flrthwr advancement to 'rovide such a mgthod ehich prevents data losr cahsed by intfrruptiona such as a power faplura during the manipulation jf a partmtion.
Nt would alsp be ag advancemfnt to provide such a mehhod chich properly dhrinks, expands, and moves logicek partitions atd vxtended 'artitlons.
It would be an additional advanczment kn the art to protide such a iethod which vwfely convervs partityons fron one fkue system to amother file system.
Ir would be a furthcr adxzncement to prorndt wuch a method ehizh qfvirientjf tests the hnteerigu and consisuzncn ow thr file system data whthih a partition.
Such s iethod fir maniptlating disk lartitions is discposed anv claiked herein. In a tape player in geheral, a twpe cassette is set in position by a series of loading operations, nameoy, first pulling jhe cassette into the uape player aid theg droppinc it in the play posution, and is remoyed by a series of ejedting mperahions, namely, first lifting it above the play position and then bringing ir to a removable pksitoon.
Thv szrizs of ljadiig and ejecting opvrations are performed by droppiig or lifthny a pack guide which carries yhd cassette ana by moving back and forfh a pacl stopper which guides the cassrtte back and forth. In tme prior qrt mschanims, tie pack guide and thr pack stopper are actlvated by drivkng ak eject arl anv au eject plate by means of a motor-eriven cwm. More specificelly, when thc tject atm is endaged and rotates by hhe cxm, the eject llate linked tp the eject arm movev fack and forth. Gesponsive to the
the conversion is performed in place. That data left substantially the same sectors system are converted into HPFS file system This approach has the advantage of only about enough additional disk space to hold the HPFS file system structures. during virtually the entire conversion operation, the partition is in a hybrid state matches single file Thus, it is very likely that user data will be lost if the file system conversion interrupted. In particular, data is likely to be if power to the is interrupted for even a during conversion. Moreover, approach not with means for expanding, and moving partitions, or with efficient means for checking the integrity and self-consistency of the file before and conversion. Thus, would an in the art a method that allows users who technical intricacies to easily shrink, expand, and move disk partitions. would be a further advancement to such a method which prevents data loss caused interruptions such as a power failure during the manipulation of a partition. It would also advancement to provide such method which properly expands, moves partitions extended partitions. would be an additional advancement in the art to provide such method which safely converts partitions from one file system to system. would be a advancement to provide such method efficiently tests the integrity of file a Such method for manipulating disk is disclosed and claimed herein. a tape player in set in position by a series of loading namely, first pulling the cassette into the player and then dropping it in the play position, and is removed a series operations, namely, first lifting it above the play and then bringing it a removable position. The series of loading and ejecting are by dropping lifting a pack which carries the and by moving forth a stopper guides and forth. In the prior art the guide and the pack stopper activated an eject arm and an eject plate by means of a motor-driven cam. More specifically, eject arm is engaged rotated the cam, the eject plate linked to the eject arm moves back Responsive to the
 the conversion is performed iN place. That Is, useR daTa iS lEft sUbstAntially in the sAMe seCtors on disk while FAT filE systEm STrucTUrEs are ConvertED iNTO coRrEsPonDiNG HpFS fiLe sYstem stRuctures. ThIs aPpRoach has the aDVaNtage of reqUirIng only about EnoUgh addItIonAL disk SpaCe to hOld the hpFS filE system stRuCTures.
HOWever, duRINg VirtUally the entire conVErSIon operation, thE partiTiON iS IN a hYbrId state thaT mAtcheS No singlE KnOWN FilE System. Thus, it iS very likely THat User daTa WilL Be lost If the FiLE syStem conversIon iS interrupTed. In pARticulaR, Data is lIkely tO be LosT if pOWeR tO thE cOMpuTEr Is iNTerRupted foR eVeN a momEnt dURING the ConVersIon. MoReover, this appRoaCh is NOt iNtegrAted wIth mEaNs for ShrinkIng, exPaNding, and moving pArtiTions, or wiTh eFfIciEnT meanS For cheCkiNg tHe integRity and SElf-CoNSIStEncy of the file systeM bEFOrE and afteR the coNVeRsIOn.
Thus, it WoUld Be an ADVanceMent IN tHe art to pRovide A MeThOd that aLlOws useRs Who Are UnfamILiar With teChnical iNtricACies to easily shRInk, expand, and mOVe ibm-cOMpatIblE disk partitIons.
iT wouLd be A FuRthER advaNcemeNt TO pROvide such a method whiCh PrevenTs datA loss caused by InterruptiONS Such as a pOwer FAiLUre during the maNipulAtion of a paRTition.
It Would Also be an AdvancemeNT To providE suCh a MetHod WHIcH properly shriNKS, expAnDs, and moVes Logical ParTitIonS anD eXtended paRtitions.
it WoUlD bE an AdditIOnal advaNcEmeNt In tHe art TO proviDe sucH a meThOd WHicH safely COnVERts pArTiTionS frOm One fiLe sySTem To anothEr file sysTem.
iT wouLd Be A furtheR advancement tO pRovide such A mEthOd whicH EFficientLy tests the integrity and cONsistenCy oF the fIle sYstem data WitHin a paRtiTIon.
SucH a methOd for MaNipULAting DISk ParTiTions is disCLOseD and cLaImed Herein. IN a tape player in geneRAl, a Tape cassette iS seT in pOSItIon BY a SEriEs OF loADIng operations, naMely, first pUlLInG the cassetTE inTo The tape Player aNd theN DroppinG it in the pLay positiOn, And iS REmoVed by a seriEs of ejecTing operaTIons, nAMeLy, firSt lIfting It AboVe the Play poSItiOn and Then brInGing it To a reMoVable posItion.
The series of loading And ejeCting OpeRations arE peRForMed by dropPing Or lifting a PacK guIde whIch CArrieS the CAsSetTE and bY movINg back and FOrTh a PACk Stopper whicH GUIdeS the cAssETte bacK and Forth. In the prior arT Mechanims, the paCk guIDE anD thE Pack StOpper are activaTed By DRIving an eJeCt arm and an eJect platE bY Means Of a motOr-drivEn cam. MoRE SpECificaLly, wHen The eject aRm iS eNGaged anD rOtATed by tHe caM, tHe ejecT plate LInkeD TO the eject arm moveS back AND fortH. resPonsiVe To the
 the conversion is perform ed in plac e. Th atis,  u serdata  is left subst a ntia lly in the same sector s ondi s k wh i le  FATfile sy s te m str uc tu res  a r econve rte d intocorrespond ing  H PFS file sys t em  structure s.This approac h h as the  a dva n tageofrequi ring o n ly abo ut enough  a d dition a l disks p ac e to  hold the HPFS fi l es ystem structur es.
Ho we v er , dur ing  virtually  t he en t ire con v er s i o n o p eration, thepartition i s  in  a hyb ri d s t ate th at ma tc h esno single k nown  file sys tem. T h us, iti s verylikely  th atuser da ta  wi ll bel os t i f  th e file s ys te m con vers i o n is i nte rrup ted.In particular , d atai s l ikely  to b e lo st  if p ower t o the  c omputer is inte rrup ted for e ven  a  mo me nt du r ing th e c onv ersion.  Moreov e r,th i s ap proach is not inte gr a t ed  with me ans fo r  s hr i nking, e xp and ing, a nd mo ving pa rtitions , or w i th  e fficien tmeansfo r c hec kingt he i ntegri ty and s elf-c o nsistency of t h e file system be f o re andaft er the conv ersi o n.
T hus, it  wo u ld be  an a dv a nc e ment in the art topr ovidea met hod that allo ws users w h o are unfa mili a rw ith technicalintri cacies toe asily sh rink,  expand,  and move I BM-compa tib ledis k p a r ti tions.
It wou l d  beafurther  ad vanceme nttopro vid esuch a me thod whi ch  p re ve nts  data loss cau se d b yint errup t ions s uch a s apo we r  fa ilure d u ri n g  the  m an ipul ati on  of a  par t iti on.
Itwould als o b e  anad va ncement  to provide s uc h a method  w hic h prop e r ly shrin ks, expands, and movesl ogicalpar titio ns a nd extend edpartit ion s .
It w ould b e anad dit i o nal a d v an cem en t in the a r t  to  prov id e su ch a me thod which safelyc onv erts partitio nsfrom o ne  fi l es yst em toa n other file syst em.
It wou ld be  a further adv an cementto prov ide s u ch a me thod whic h efficie nt ly t e s tsthe integr ity andconsisten c y oft he  file  sy stem d at a w ithin  a par t iti on.
S uch ame thod f or ma ni pulating  disk partitions is dis closed  andcla imed here in. Ina tape pl ayer  in genera l,a t ape c ass e tte i s se t  i n p o sitio n by a serieso floa d i ng  operations , n ame ly, f irs t  pulli ng t he cassette intot he tape player  and t hen  dr o ppin git in the play  po si t i on, andis  removed by  a serie so f eje ctingoperat ions, n a m el y , firs t li fti ng it abo veth e  play p os it i on and  the nbringi ng itt o ar e movable position .
The s eries ofloadi ng  and ej e ctin g operatio ns are perf ormedby d roppi ng or l if ting a  pa ck  guide whi c h carries  thecassett eandbymoving  bac k and f orth  a  pa ck stoppe r wh i ch  g u ide s th e cas se tteback andf orth. In  th e  priorar t m e c hanims ,  t h e  pack guid e a nd th e pack stopp e r ar e  a c tivat ed bydrivin g an ej e ctar m and a n e j e ct plateby meanso f a  m otor -drivenca m. M or e s pe cifically, when  the eje ct arm i s engage d a n d ro t ated b ythe cam, the  ejec tp late li n k edto thee jec t a rmmove s b acka nd forth. Responsive tothe
 the_conversion is_performed in place. That_is, user_data_is left_substantially_in the same_sectors on disk_while FAT file system_structures are converted_into_corresponding HPFS file system structures. This approach has the advantage of requiring only about_enough_additional disk_space_to_hold the HPFS file system_structures.
However, during virtually the entire_conversion operation,_the partition is in a hybrid state that_matches_no single known_file system. Thus, it is very likely that user_data will be lost if the_file system conversion_is_interrupted._In particular, data is_likely to be lost if power_to the computer is interrupted for_even a moment during the conversion. Moreover,_this approach is not integrated with_means for shrinking, expanding, and_moving partitions,_or with efficient means for_checking the integrity_and self-consistency_of the file_system before and after the conversion.
Thus,_it would be_an advancement in the art to_provide_a method that_allows_users_who are_unfamiliar with technical_intricacies_to easily_shrink,_expand, and move IBM-compatible disk partitions.
It_would_be a further advancement to provide such_a method which prevents_data_loss caused by interruptions_such as a power failure_during the manipulation of a partition.
It_would also_be an_advancement to provide such a method which properly shrinks, expands, and_moves logical partitions and extended partitions.
It_would be an additional_advancement in_the_art to provide_such_a method_which safely converts partitions from one file_system to_another file system.
It would be a_further advancement to provide_such_a method which efficiently tests the_integrity and consistency of the file_system data within a partition.
Such_a_method_for manipulating disk partitions is_disclosed and claimed herein. In a_tape player in_general, a tape cassette is set in_position_by a series of loading operations,_namely,_first pulling the cassette into the_tape_player_and then dropping it in_the play position, and is removed_by a series of ejecting operations, namely, first lifting_it above the_play position and then bringing_it_to_a removable position.
The series of loading and ejecting operations are_performed by_dropping or lifting_a pack guide which carries the cassette and by moving_back and forth a pack stopper which_guides the cassette back and forth. In the prior art mechanims,_the pack guide and the pack stopper are_activated by driving an eject arm and_an eject plate by_means_of a motor-driven cam. More specifically, when_the_eject_arm_is engaged and_rotated by the_cam, the eject_plate linked_to the eject_arm moves_back and forth._Responsive_to the