Win XP Partition - please help

[Neil Hindry]

I want to re-size an NTFS partition containing Win XP Pro on my Dell laptop
PC to make the partition smaller to free up some space so that I can create
a new partition to install Linux on.

I have download a trial version of Partition Magic and a trial version of
Acronis Disk Director Suite 9.0.

I set the changes I wanted to make to the partition to make it smaller
(re-size)) but when it comes to actually making the changes to disk I got a
message from both Partition Magic & Acronis Disk Director Suite 9.0 saying
this was only a trial version and I needed to buy the full version to do it.

Does anyone know how I can re-size a partition for the purpose mentioned
above using free software? I am reluctant to buy software as I won't need to
do it again as Linux comes with its own partition software.

Any suggestions?

I appreciate any help or information given.

I hope you can help.

Thanks!

Neil

 

[Colyn]

I want to re-size an NTFS partition containing Win XP Pro on my Dell laptop
PC to make the partition smaller to free up some space so that I can create
a new partition to install Linux on.

I have download a trial version of Partition Magic and a trial version of
Acronis Disk Director Suite 9.0.

I set the changes I wanted to make to the partition to make it smaller
(re-size)) but when it comes to actually making the changes to disk I got a
message from both Partition Magic & Acronis Disk Director Suite 9.0 saying
this was only a trial version and I needed to buy the full version to do it.

Does anyone know how I can re-size a partition for the purpose mentioned
above using free software? I am reluctant to buy software as I won't need to
do it again as Linux comes with its own partition software.

Any suggestions?

I appreciate any help or information given.

I hope you can help.

Thanks!

Neil

If you want to install Linux do the manual partition during Linux
install. It will resize the NTFS partition without destroying any
data.

 

[Mikey S.]

Hello,
Offbeat/alternative solution
____________________________

Since it's a laptop

Get another 5 to 10GB hard disk with an extra little plastic trapdoor widget
for it.

Install Linux independently on it.

http://www.eBay.com
comes to mind

Terms in searches:

"2.5 hard drive internal GB".
Choose the size range in the results

"Dell laptop (Your Model Number as: C640) hard drive bay cover"

US$ 20. total to get both home....and you own (practically) TWO (2) laptops.

That's what I do!
No gray cells bustings, simple.

Mikey S.

 

[Retnev]

Hi

I used a program called Digital Dolly to repartition my hard disk. It is a
linux based iso that you must write to cd and then boot from the cd. It is
free for home users only and download size is about 40mb. You can d/l from
Download.com http://www.download.com/3000-2248-10220909.html
I think that most linux distro's have there own partition programs on that
you can use when you boot from the cd.

Frederik

 

[jona]

I want to re-size an NTFS partition containing Win XP Pro on my Dell laptop
PC to make the partition smaller to free up some space so that I can create
a new partition to install Linux on.

[snip]

Go to http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/utilities.html and
download "Bootit NG". For just doing partition 'work' (from
a bootable floppy you create) it is free. i.e, skip the first step
of installing bootit to the HDD after you have booted the floopy.

Be sure to defrag and pack your drive (use 'dirms' for that)
before you resize.

 

[Vic Dura]

If you want to install Linux do the manual partition during Linux
install. It will resize the NTFS partition without destroying any
data.

Does Linux itself have the ability to use ntfs partitions?

 

[Colyn]

Does Linux itself have the ability to use ntfs partitions?

No.

Linux uses its own file system mainly ext2 or ext3.

 

[Bernd Schmitt]

Hello Neil,

I want to re-size an NTFS partition containing Win XP Pro on my Dell laptop
PC to make the partition smaller to free up some space so that I can create
a new partition to install Linux on.

A good idea.
Normally a linux-distribution includes software to do so (SuSE,
Mandriva, ....)
But you can use a KnoppixCD to do so as well. Just put it into your
CD-drive, switch on pc, wait 2-3 minutes and then you can use linux to
resize your hd using qtparted.

Hava fun,
Bernd

 

[Bernd Schmitt]

Hello Colyn,

No.

Linux can safely read NTFS (unencrypted) on its own.
Safe writing is only possible if you have win installed, because the m$
driver is used then.
If you want to use r/w data for linux and windows, create a (v)fat
partition, linux and windows can safely write and read from vfat.


Ciao,
Bernd

 

[Colyn]

Hello Colyn,
Linux can safely read NTFS (unencrypted) on its own.
Safe writing is only possible if you have win installed, because the m$
driver is used then.
If you want to use r/w data for linux and windows, create a (v)fat
partition, linux and windows can safely write and read from vfat.

Linux can read NTFS partitions but it cannot be installed on NTFS
unless it is one of the Win/Linux versions that installs into Windows.

Some people recommend converting NTFS to vfat when dual booting Win 2k
and Linux but 2k runs a bit slower on vfat.

 

[John Fitzsimons]

I want to re-size an NTFS partition containing Win XP Pro on my Dell laptop
PC to make the partition smaller to free up some space so that I can create
a new partition to install Linux on. [snip]

Go to http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/utilities.html and
download "Bootit NG".

Where's the freeware version ? Site says $34.95/ea

 

[Larry Sabo]

[snip]

Go to http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/utilities.html and
download "Bootit NG". For just doing partition 'work' (from
a bootable floppy you create) it is free. i.e, skip the first step
of installing bootit to the HDD after you have booted the floopy.

Be sure to defrag and pack your drive (use 'dirms' for that)
before you resize.

Where do you get the impression it is free, used as described? I've
seen this mentioned several times in usenet discussions, but the EULA
says it is a 30-day trial. after which it is not to be used if not
purchased. Hope I'm wrong, as I love the program.

Larry

 

[jona]

[snip]

Go to http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/utilities.html and
download "Bootit NG". For just doing partition 'work' (from
a bootable floppy you create) it is free. i.e, skip the first step
of installing bootit to the HDD after you have booted the floopy.

Be sure to defrag and pack your drive (use 'dirms' for that)
before you resize.

Where do you get the impression it is free, used as described? I've
seen this mentioned several times in usenet discussions, but the EULA
says it is a 30-day trial. after which it is not to be used if not
purchased. Hope I'm wrong, as I love the program.

My wrong, I expressed myself wrongly. He would have used to
program once, within it's 30 day trial, which is legit. I did mention
not to install it to the hard drive.

 

[me]

If you want to install Linux do the manual partition during Linux
install. It will resize the NTFS partition without destroying any
data.

You don't have to install Linux. There are many versions which run
directly from CD--Knoppix is the most famous. Within Linux, there is a
utility called QTPARTED that can indeed resize partitions. And, I
believe, in the newer versions QTPARTED can work on NTFS partitions.

Stranger