Partitioning

Nomad · January 30th, 2007, 08:51 PM

I've got a question for you gurus out there. I'm looking into installing Ubuntu on this machine as a second OS, which means I'm going to need to partition.

So I want to put 20gb aside for it. My question is, if it's possible to throw a partition in a drive with existing data, and if it would in any way damage it? I've never messed with partitioning in this manner; I've always done it during a complete reformat of my hard drive, so I wanted to ask before I went and destroyed everything.

Thanks in advance.

Aliotroph? · January 31st, 2007, 12:43 AM

You can usually use something like Norton Partition Magic to do it. I've seen at least one computer where that thing just refused to work though.

Planky · January 31st, 2007, 02:00 AM

As long as you're careful with the Ubuntu installer, you can resize the ntfs partition. I have never lost any data doing this. I did have to manually add a windows entry into the boot manager so I could dual boot (simply editing a config file).

I recommend using gparted to create the partitions. Simply resize the existing partition and then create two seperate partitions (using whatever linux file system you want). Mount one as linux-swap (give it about 500meg) and one as '/' (using whatever space you have free).

Start the Ubuntu setup and point it to the new partitions - do not let it format the whole drive!

Doom-Dork · January 31st, 2007, 06:41 AM

Like Aliotroph said, Partition Magic will let you re-partition your HDD while it contains data. You create a hidden partition to load your second OS on. Then from within Windows you can boot into that partition, though I prefer to set it up so that PM asks me as I switch on the computer, which partition I wish to boot into to,

Nomad · January 31st, 2007, 09:34 AM

Ok, thanks guys. I'm going to back up my stuff just in case, and then try it out and let you all know what goes down.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Planky

I recommend using gparted to create the partitions. Simply resize the existing partition and then create two seperate partitions (using whatever linux file system you want). Mount one as linux-swap (give it about 500meg) and one as '/' (using whatever space you have free).

Ubuntu comes with gparted, so I'll probably use it (via LiveCD). Thanks for the advice, though I have one other question--does linux (particularly Ubuntu) require the swap drive?

Nomad · January 31st, 2007, 01:17 PM

HAY GUISE. I'm posting from my fresh install of Ubuntu. Coolness. Will take some figuring out. Thanks for the advice and everything.

Planky · January 31st, 2007, 09:31 PM

I believe it does. I've been using ubuntu for about a month. Im happy with it.

Aliotroph? · February 1st, 2007, 09:16 PM

I've fiddled with Ubuntu. Seemed ok.

Nomad · February 2nd, 2007, 10:55 PM

I like it, although it doesn't seem to like my sound card. Oh well. Seems like with a little more work, it could be a very, very good competitor for Windows. Once installing shit is a little more user friendly it should be pretty much gold.

Aliotroph? · February 3rd, 2007, 12:33 AM

The whole way Linux apps are designed makes installing them a pain in the ass and it doesn't look like it's going to change any time soon.

January 30th, 2007, 08:51 PM	#1
Nomad Keen For Life Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Clinton, UT Posts: 6,253	Partitioning I've got a question for you gurus out there. I'm looking into installing Ubuntu on this machine as a second OS, which means I'm going to need to partition. So I want to put 20gb aside for it. My question is, if it's possible to throw a partition in a drive with existing data, and if it would in any way damage it? I've never messed with partitioning in this manner; I've always done it during a complete reformat of my hard drive, so I wanted to ask before I went and destroyed everything. Thanks in advance.

January 31st, 2007, 12:43 AM	#2
Aliotroph? Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: The frozen wastes of Quan'ideery Posts: 9,095	You can usually use something like Norton Partition Magic to do it. I've seen at least one computer where that thing just refused to work though. __________________ Aliotroph.post_count++;

January 31st, 2007, 02:00 AM	#3
Planky Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,401	As long as you're careful with the Ubuntu installer, you can resize the ntfs partition. I have never lost any data doing this. I did have to manually add a windows entry into the boot manager so I could dual boot (simply editing a config file). I recommend using gparted to create the partitions. Simply resize the existing partition and then create two seperate partitions (using whatever linux file system you want). Mount one as linux-swap (give it about 500meg) and one as '/' (using whatever space you have free). Start the Ubuntu setup and point it to the new partitions - do not let it format the whole drive! __________________ From the ashes of the fire, a new tree grows, and thus, Planky lives again

January 31st, 2007, 09:31 PM	#7
Planky Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,401	I believe it does. I've been using ubuntu for about a month. Im happy with it. __________________ From the ashes of the fire, a new tree grows, and thus, Planky lives again

February 1st, 2007, 09:16 PM	#8
Aliotroph? Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: The frozen wastes of Quan'ideery Posts: 9,095	I've fiddled with Ubuntu. Seemed ok. __________________ Aliotroph.post_count++;

January 31st, 2007, 06:41 AM	#4
Doom-Dork Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: At home Posts: 522	Like Aliotroph said, Partition Magic will let you re-partition your HDD while it contains data. You create a hidden partition to load your second OS on. Then from within Windows you can boot into that partition, though I prefer to set it up so that PM asks me as I switch on the computer, which partition I wish to boot into to,

January 31st, 2007, 01:17 PM	#6
Nomad Keen For Life Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Clinton, UT Posts: 6,253	HAY GUISE. I'm posting from my fresh install of Ubuntu. Coolness. Will take some figuring out. Thanks for the advice and everything.

February 2nd, 2007, 10:55 PM	#9
Nomad Keen For Life Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Clinton, UT Posts: 6,253	I like it, although it doesn't seem to like my sound card. Oh well. Seems like with a little more work, it could be a very, very good competitor for Windows. Once installing shit is a little more user friendly it should be pretty much gold.

February 3rd, 2007, 12:33 AM	#10
Aliotroph? Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: The frozen wastes of Quan'ideery Posts: 9,095	The whole way Linux apps are designed makes installing them a pain in the ass and it doesn't look like it's going to change any time soon. __________________ Aliotroph.post_count++;

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