Re-partitioning the hard drive

[Sissy]

Not entirely sure that this is the correct forum for this question, but I'll give it a go...

Some background info:

I've got a Toshiba Satellite laptop, 60 GB hard drive, originally shipped with WinXP only. About 3 years ago, a friend converted it to dual-boot for me, WinXP and Debian Etch, each having approximately 30 GB (well, a bit of the Linux side is used for swap).

Last year, I switched to Kubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron by booting from CD, then installing from that same CD, on my existing Linux partition. I upgraded that to Jaunty about a week ago.

The bottom line is, I rarely use Windows these days, and would like to give Kubuntu a larger share of the hard drive. I had nothing to do with the original partitioning of the hard drive, and so haven't a clue how it's done.

Questions:
1. How much space should I leave for WinXP? I do use it for a few games, Microsoft Expression Web, and Mathematica. (I'm aware that Mathematica is available for Linux, but was informed that I'd have to purchase a new copy of the program if I wanted to switch my license over.)

2. How do I actually do the re-partition? I've heard the names qtparted and gparted tossed around, but that's all I know. I'm a total newbie at this part, so please make your explanation as simple as possible

Thanks!

[kevinc]

Re: Re-partitioning the hard drive

Good question. Thanks for the background and detail, that helps.

A good place to begin is the "How to forums" http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/index.php?board=53.0

Try this one on general installation, http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/index.php?topic=197.0

and this one on top 20 questions, http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/inde...opic=3099811.0
especially #4, #5, #15 and any others that interest you

In Windows, defragment the drive, if you don't need it, remove the hibernation and any data files that you don't need. Windows builds up many big files over many years. Programs like Ccleaner can remove a lot of what you don't need. Calculate how much you want to give to linux. Use a partition program or a live CD to resize the partitions. A live CD allows you to do this with a gui so it is much easier, but cli is just as useful.

[Qqmike]

Re: Re-partitioning the hard drive

Use the GParted Live CD. It will show you the existing partitions, then you can use it to make changes.

GParted (Live CD, USB, HD)
http://gparted.sourceforge.net/livecd.php
New Manual. New man page. See Documentation:
http://gparted.sourceforge.net/documentation.php

[Jook_roberts]

Re: Re-partitioning the hard drive

I have done this a number of times as a newbe with the Gparted live CD. When you boot the CD you will be asked some questions, 99% of the time just take the default answer. Heck I don't even read it.
The graphical interface of the program is fairly straight foreward. You shouldn't have much trouble. Just remember you can tell it to format the drive from within Gparted, by by data. :P

As for how much space you need for XP. I am running an XP partition inside 20 gigs with 12 gigs of free space. I have lots of programs installed, but no games. Games can take up some space, so you be the judge on low you want to go.

[Sissy]

Re: Re-partitioning the hard drive

Thanks everyone for your replies. I'll give it a try and hopefully won't manage to break it!