Thinkpads Forum

hey, i tried to find a concise answer here, but couldn't.

is it possible and fairly simply to partition a hard drive that already has data on it.

i.e. i just received my T60p w/ 100GB 7200rpm drive, and ideally would like to keep the os and software on one partition, and my data on a seperate one. can this be done without reinstalling the os, software, settings, etc.? if so i dont think it's worth the effort.

thanks!

Hi,
I just got my T60p last week and resized the windows partition with no problems.To do it just boot a linux live disk with qtpared (I used Knoppix) Start qtparted and clicked on the big ntfs partition and changed the size to 32 gigs. Just leave the little 4 gig restore partition alone. If you try it with an old version of qtparted it won't see the sata drive, so be sure to use a new version. Then do what you want with the new space..... I used mine for linux.Tried OpenSUSE..... worked fine but lots of tweeking.. Tried Ubuntu and it runs at the speed of light..... I just loaded SLED 10 and the screen efects are great and the auto updates work great too.

Hope this helps........ Enjoy the T60p

1ColdBeer wrote:Hi,
boot a linux live disk with qtpared (I used Knoppix)

that doesnt sound too hard... but... i'm not that skilled, how do i get a linux live disk with qtpared? and does live disk mean i dont have to install linux, it'll run off a live disk?

thanks!!!!

Just my two cents but if you've got to ask where to get the disk, Linux is probably not for you.

I would suggest something like partition magic, do a Goggle search on partition tools. There are a number of programs that will do this.

I just did this with mine using the Ubuntu Edgy 6.10 i386 Desktop CD. For some reason it didn't boot up the Live CD with the normal bootup, but using Graphics safe mode it worked just fine. Once I was booted into the linux desktop I looked in the System menu and found the GNOME Partition Tool and ran it. I simply resized the first partition to 40GB (recommended size for Vista) and created a new partition with the space between the Windows and Rescue partitions.

It wasn't too hard, but I'm not a novice computer user either. If any of this sounds too complicated then this method definitely isn't for you. It really isn't that hard, but when playing with partition tables it is pretty easy to break something. I would also recommend burning the Recovery discs before you attempt anything like this. Other programs like Partition Magic might be slightly simpler, but they are just as dangerous and are quite expensive for a one time use situation like this.

Anyway, good luck in whatever you choose and enjoy your new laptop, I know I am!

I used a live disc with gparted for partitioning, and although it appeared to go just fine, its options for editing ntfs partitions are very limited, and I will probably spill the cash for partition magic next time.

sweet, i did it, the linux live cd knoppix method,
definetly was intimitaded by the whole linux thing, and almost messed it up, but it's doable for relative newbs, just have to spend some hours reading up on it, there's a walk through on the internet if you just google it.

thanks!