Data processing system and method for creating a virtual partition within an existing partition in a hard disk drive

A data processing system including a hard disk drive for creating a virtual partition within an existing partition within said hard disk drive, said data processing system including a CPU, comprising:

• said CPU executing code for writing a first master boot record including said existing partition, said existing partition defining a first file system to be utilized by said hard drive;
• said CPU executing code for creating a file within said existing partition;
• said CPU executing code for temporarily overwriting said first master boot record without altering said first file system with a second master boot record including a designation of said file as a second partition, said second partition defining a second file system;
• said CPU executing code for setting said second partition to be an active partition;
• and
• said CPU executing code for booting said data processing system utilizing said second master boot record, wherein said second partition is a virtual partition within said existing partition.

A data processing system including a hard disk drive for creating a virtual partition within an existing partition within said hard disk drive, said data processing system including a CPU, comprising:

• said CPU executing code for writing a first master boot record including said existing partition, said existing partition defining a first file system to be utilized to boot a first operating system;
• said CPU executing code for creating a file within said existing partition starting at a cylinder boundary within said hard disk;
• said CPU executing code for defragmenting said file to make all sectors designated to store said file contiguous;
• said CPU executing code for determining an offset from a starting location of said file to a cylinder boundary, wherein said virtual partition is located starting at said offset;
• said CPU executing code for storing said first master boot record for recovery purposes;
• said CPU executing code for temporarily overwriting said first master boot record without altering said first file system with a second master boot record including a designation of said file as a second partition, said second partition defining a second file system for booting a second operating system which is stored in said second partition, said second partition including a designation of said file having a starting location of said offset as a second partition and a designation of said second partition as said active partition;
• said CPU executing code for setting said second partition to be an active partition;
• said CPU executing code for booting said data processing system utilizing said second master boot record, wherein said second partition is a virtual partition within said existing partition;
• said CPU executing code for executing a task utilizing said second operating system;
• said CPU executing code for restoring said first master boot record;
• and
• said CPU executing code for booting said data processing system utilizing said first master boot record.