Partitioning my drive

[Feignt]

So I want to dual boot my Windows Vista and Ubuntu, how do I do that? No experience with Linux in any way.

All I want to know is how to partition my drive so I don't have to go buy another one, what works best, how to create the space, if there are any programs available etc.

Thanks a bunch.

[Allan]

if Vista is already installed, open the Disk Manager (Right click Computer, then left click "Manage" in the options, left click Disk Management)

When You get to Disk Management, right click on the harddrive with Vista, then select "Shrink Vol" then shrink it, and use the other volumn for the Ubuntu

[Feignt]

What exactly will this do? Will I still be able to add more files while in Vista, I mean, more documents, music etc.? Is this partitioning it?

nvm, reading about it through the help should have been the first place I looked rofl. :laugh:

[Allan]

That will partition the harddrive to the size YOU determine.

If you leave room (which you NEED TO) then, yes, you can add more docs files etc

[markwolfe Veteran]

(Y) exactly.

No need to try to 'make' Linux partitions. Just free up some space beforehand, and let the installer use the newly vacated section of your hard drive.

[TheSecretAzNMan]

I'd like to do the same, but in XP.

I cleared around 10 gb of space, but the filesystem is NTFS.

How do I get it to install?

[+BudMan MVC]

What linux distro are you looking to install? Depending - it might provide the functionality out of the box.. Just boot the install CD..

For example - here are some hold your hand, wipe you after type instructions for ubuntu

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WindowsDualBoot

WindowsDualBoot

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WindowsDu...d5534475cc1c868

Resizing Partitions Using the Ubuntu Installer

If your linux distro of choice to does not have the functionality built into its installer.. Then there are many many utility linux distro's that can do it for you. Gparted LiveCd is a very common one. http://gparted.sourceforge.net/livecd.php

systemrescuecd comes to mind http://www.sysresccd.org/Main_Page

What ever linux utility/liveCD you choose might already have a partitioner that has ntfsresize integrated into it, off the top there is DiskDrake, QTParted, YAST, EVMS, Partman, GParted, etc.. Pick One ;)

[TheSecretAzNMan]

I forgot to mention that I was trying to install Ubuntu.

When I attempt to install Ubuntu to the free space from a Windows XP partition, can it change the format to FAT from NTFS?

That link seems to indicate greater potential for problems with NTFS on Ubuntu.

[+BudMan MVC]

  TheSecretAzNMan said:

can it change the format to FAT from NTFS?

No -- an there is no reason too either.. It can resize NTFS just fine.. An the info is dated to be use.. with http://www.ntfs-3g.org/ there are no issues with reading and writing to NTFS filesystems.

But yes - whenever your going to to be doing something like this.. Its a GOOD IDEA to have your data backed up - just in case ;)

[htwho]

Can't you use Acronis' Partition Manager? (Payware)

[markwolfe Veteran]

  htwho said:

Can't you use Acronis' Partition Manager? (Payware)

He sure can!

And he can pay someone to install it for him. And he can even pay for a copy of Linux, or donate to an Open Source project.

But if he doesn't want to, and doesn't have to, why would he want to?

[htwho]

*shrugs* It's better than wasting time trying to figure out what a live linux cd is. We need to make it as easy it is for him.

[markwolfe Veteran]

Well, buying a piece of software just to avoid using the slider on the Ubuntu CD seems like a bit more work, not less.

He's gotta boot the CD anyhow and run the installer. If that is too much work, buying Acronis isn't going to solve anything in that area.

[htwho]

Partitioning = headache.

[Colin-uk Veteran]

  htwho said:

Partitioning = headache.

not if you know what your doing and you have your data backed up.

If something goes wrong, you havent lost your data so theres no need to worry.

In fact you dont even need to know what your doing, you just need to know what you want to do.

Ubuntu installer has a pretty intuitive partition utility imo (i think its based on gparted im not sure though).

[markwolfe Veteran]

  htwho said:

Partitioning = headache.

Moving a slider to "make room" = easy

Letting Ubuntu use that room to set up partitions for you, so you don't have to set them up = even easier (no slider to drag).

I would wager the hardest part will be burning the iso right (as an image, not as a big .iso file) and setting boot order.

[james.faction]

the other hard part of course is not messing with your computer in any way, such as turning it off or running it on battery power, while it partitions your hard drive for you. :)

[iron2000]

Don't mind if I ask in this thread.

I too plan to partition for a XP/ Ubuntu dual boot.

Are there any recommended partition size and partition order?

In the Radfield guide the Linux partition is placed right in the beginning.

I now have 10GB partitioned for XP and planning a 1GB partition for XP temp files after it.

Should I place the Linux partition after all the partitions I would make for XP?

Sort of paranoid about HDD seeking and stuff.

Thanks

[markwolfe Veteran]

  iron2000 said:

Don't mind if I ask in this thread.

I too plan to partition for a XP/ Ubuntu dual boot.

Are there any recommended partition size and partition order?

In the Radfield guide the Linux partition is placed right in the beginning.

I now have 10GB partitioned for XP and planning a 1GB partition for XP temp files after it.

Should I place the Linux partition after all the partitions I would make for XP?

Sort of paranoid about HDD seeking and stuff.

Thanks

Sorry, didn't see your bump of this thread. Plus I don't visit the switcher forum very much. :ermm:

Anyhow, I would recommend following the Ubuntu recommendation and making at least 8GB available. More is better, for data storage or adding in extra apps (or even installing and trying KDE, XFCE or other environments).

I have also consistently recommended against setting up partitions for Linux ahead of time (unless you are an advanced *nixer, and know what unique partition requirements you have). Just make empty space, and let the installer set up the partitions for you. (Y)