Is it possible to change partition sizes in linux/windows dual boot macine?

I have a dual boot Dell XPS with Windows XP Pro and Linux Ubuntu 9.04 on my c: drive. I'd like to make the Linux partition larger and the Windows partition smaller--is this possible without removing and reinstalling Linux or windows?

--xatsmann

 

I have changed partition sizes on my dual boot XP Pro / Linux machine using BiNG (bootable cd or boot floppies) with no issues.

I guess you could also boot with a Linux Live cd and use GParted to do the same and I am sure that other users will offer their suggestions for progs to use.

As always with partition changes, make sure you have full images of your existing partitions in case it all goes pear shaped which it sometimes does.

Good Luck

 

Definitely! I am a Linux newbie and I have a nearly identical configuration with a Dell Latitude laptop dual booting with Win XP and Linux Mint (based on and nearly identical to Ubuntu 9.04).

I actually DID this last weekend after I realized I installed Mint on a too-small partition (oops!). I spent HOURS cruising forums before I determined that the BEST advice came from www.simplehelp.net that had a step-by-step "how to resize Linux partitions using GParted" article. You should be able to locate that site with those search parameters. The article basically has a link to GParted Live CD, along with instructions how to boot the CD in live fashion; from there, it walks you through the process in very detailed fashion, with screenshots and everything. I was an extremely nervous newbie that questioned my ability to do this, but figured I could follow those instructions to the letter and see what happens.

I'm happy to report that everything turned out EXACTLY like it was supposed to, and I am quite proud of myself for getting it done alone. If I can do it, I'm sure you can. Good luck and let us know how it turns out!

 

Sorry to take so long to get back to you.

I found out that I did not have a linux partition on my hard drive since I had installed it completely under Windows.

I did want to have a linux partition, in fact I've reinstalled Linux three times so far to get it the way i wanted it, and I did use GPartition to set up my partition first so it did help.

thanks,
xats

 

Best way Ive seen is the sticky done by shadow_puter_dude at the top of the Linux column - there are other ways and some even opt for the WUBI install (which I don't like at all) but Shadow's dual boot works best for me. You can stretch your partitions.

 

i have an interesting way of re-sizing the partitions on a dual boot system

first you need to download and burn a live cd so you can use a little application called Gparted (i reccomend either ubuntu or puppylinux)

in ubuntu Gparted should be under system>administration (i think)
in puppy it should be in the menu that is accessable through the start button in the lower left corner of the screen and scroll to the mentioned places
start>system>Gparted partition manager

the rest on how to use Gparted is kinda self explanitory, if you don't understand how to udse it i'm sure that there are some nice people on the web willing to tell you (or guides all over google for that matter)