Delete or Merge Partitions?

[axel]

A few questions on Partition Magic.

What is the difference between deleting a partition and merging partitions?

I have three partitions on a 30GB hard disk C: D: and E: I want to get rid of D: and E: to simplify things before giving my old computer to my son who is a beginner. There are no folders on D: & E:

If I "delete" each of these partitions does the disk space automatically get added to the C: partition, or should I "merge" each partition with C: ?

Axel

 

[deadeyedic30]

Delete will as it says delete the partitions and leave the drive blank ready for reformat.
Merge will convert the three into one and keep all data intact.