Can't partition my drive for Windows

[Tom Foolery]

I want to install xp via bootcamp, so i start up the assistant and it tells me i can't partition my drive because some files can't be moved. then it tells me to back up my info and reformat my drive.

How do i use bootcamp to install windows without reformating my entire drive. i don't have an external drive so backing my info up is not possible.

 

[Neil321]

these are the only methods i know off

I) use idefrag and defrag your HDD ( not free )

2) use an external and clone over OS X to it using either carbon copy cloner or superduper, boot from the clone erase the problem disk & then clone back OS X

3) back up to an external and do an erase & install of OS X

 

[LSUtigers03]

Before you start erasing your OSX install try to make a smaller partition if you can. I started to partition 25gb but I got the same error. So I kept trying by making the partition smaller. Bootcamp partitioned the HD when I got to 19gb which is enough for me. If you have to have the space you originally tried to partition then you'll need to use one of the above options.