Partitioning C:\ Drive

petes

Hey guys. Have a drive(primary) formatted with ntfs. Looking to set up a partition so that I can install a linux distro and dual boot with winxp. Have partition manager installed on laptop Heres the prob. When in partion manager, shows my primary drive with about 45 gigs free. It doesnt allow me to create a new partition. I tried resizing(sp) the primary partition but when rebooted fecked up ended in repair reinstall if winxp :eek: .Anybody any idea? Thanks.

harney

Havent used Partition Magic, but you could use one of the newer versions of Mandrake 10.x. It has the option to resize Windows partions.

osmethod

I assume you have "Partition Magic".....

If so, create the dos boot disk version of partition magic.
Run chkdsk and defragment the ntfs partition with xp.
Reboot with new dos boot disk.

You should now be able to resize the xp partition using the dos version of partition magic.

Considering you have XP installed first be careful with the linux distro. It mightened see the ntfs partition. If it does install you'll end up having to make a decision about the "Boot Manager" to use.

1. Either (from the linux install) install Grub into the MBR and it should autodetect the ntfs partition (xp) and you'll end up with 2 entries in the grub boot menu

2. Do not install Grub to the MBR but use a tool called "Bootpart" http://www.winimage.com/bootpart.htm to enable you to put a linux boot entry into the xp boot menu.

Note: If you go for the 2nd option ensure that you install "Grub" or equivalent to the "/root" partition of the linux install.

Hope this helps...

osmethod

Tobias Greeshman

• Just remeber to defrag the entire drive first.
• Make Partition Magic Boot Disks
• Resize the NTFS partition and leave the rest unallocated
• Reboot to make changes
• Install linux (custom install)
• Add partitions to unallocated space
• Can install LILO or GRUB to MBR, I've done this with XP with no problems

Above assumes you used Partition Magic, should be able to get an old copy fairly cheap. A tool well worth having.

petes

Cheers guys.I have Paragon Partition Manager. Will I use the same guidelines as above. It also has its own boot manager. Should I use that? This will be the first time Ive dual booted so Ive everything backed up now ready to go.

Tobias Greeshman

Id go with GRUB cos its really handy, but if you think you can use it, then go for it.

osmethod

Same guidelines as above...

Grub is nice but if you are using XP as the main OS I'd be inclined to stick to the XP boot menu. This is only in the case you decide to get rid of linux at a later date you may not be able to boot XP

This link will help.. http://www.geocities.com/epark/linux/grub-w2k-HOWTO.html

osmethod

tomk

I did what you're doing by using System Rescue CD, a Live CD with a useful set of rescue/utility apps. In my case it was Win2000 on NTFS. The relevant tool for your situation is qtparted, an open source clone of Partition Magic. This will do everything you're looking for.

If you're interested, it uses various command-line tools in the background, particularly parted and ntfsprogs.

Worked perfectly for me, and I didn't even defrag (you probably should though).

Re boot managers, I am incredibly biased at this stage, but I'd heartily recommend grub as your primary boot system - easy to use once you get to know it, and very flexible.

Capt'n Midnight

I'd use ntfsresize to shrink the NTFS partition back a bit after defrag etc.
man gpart - tells you how to backup the partition table since some utils can screw up on CHS. (all on knoppix CD)

I wouldn't recommend changing the partition size by more than 50% on the off chance it triggers XP re activation ! (you should be able to shrink it twice if need be)

Jaeger

Mistakenly I thought I had PartitionMagic, turns out it's actually PartitionExpert, which I've never had a problem with. Use it so rarely I had trouble remembering the name

[edit] Ah, forgot to make the. PartionExpert's good

petes

Thanks for all your help guys. Used qtparted for the resize of ntfs and created a linux partition. THis be my first post from linux(and first time using linux). Woohoo.