How can I partition space w/in vista for ubuntu linux- LONG!

[Popliteus]

I have been over this in multiple threads with the ubuntuforum guys, and they have not been able to suggest some things that would safely allow me to set aside space for the ubuntu dual boot install I want to do on my T61 with Vista Home Premium.

Some facts:

1) Vista has disk management which is supposed to allow you to allocate space away from the main partition (ie: the disk shrink feature) but I am not allowed to shrink more than 28 MEGAbytes of my disk - this was true when I had only 9 gigs free on my 120gb hdd, and it was also true when I deleted the hibernation file, defragged, ran disk cleanup, killed the paging, defragged again, etc and resulted in 37gb free... Something is stuck immovably on my hdd and I can't shrink it.

2)I would like 10 gigs for ubuntu linux, but I could accept 5 or so, if necessary.

3)gparted is recommended for this task in linux but it has been known to screw up people's vista installs. Gparted is ubuntu's innate format/partition tool. I am afraid to use it because of what I've heard.

4)I would use gparted, IF and only IF, I could reliably undo anything that I mess up (ie: reinstall). I have some questions about this... for instance, I made the rescue/recovery disk, but do i need the recovery partition to be intact on the computer for the rescue/recovery discs to work?

5) is there a good free partitioning/space allocating tool for vista that can overcome the problem of the immovable files?

6) I have other windows vista discs available (full versions) from other computers I have. Could I use these to format and partition the disc, and then reinstall using my lenovo rescue/recovery disk?

EDIT: 7) could I use the rescue and recovery disc to create partitions during a reinstall, of which I could use one for the ubuntu ext3 format? I could definitely go ahead with this option, if I knew it would work.

I've tried a lot and haven't really formulated a good game plan yet. Thank you to anyone who can answer this stuff. FYI I want to install gutsy gibbon 7.10.

[mgo]

I have been over this in multiple threads with the ubuntuforum guys, and they have not been able to suggest some things that would safely allow me to set aside space for the ubuntu dual boot install I want to do on my T61 with Vista Home Premium.

Running dual boot with Ubuntu and Vista is easier than you might think. Just install Ubuntu from the CD and let it make all the partitioning decisions and install itself.

Then, when it is done, you will have a machine that offers your choice of which operating system to run, by means of the GRUB menu.

Simple as heck. I did it, and the thread is in the Linux section somewhere.

I suggest that you move Documents (in Vista) to another partition before installing Linux. That way, Linux or Vista will have access to them, since Ubuntu now reads and writes to NTFS.

For peace of mind, make sure you create an image of your hard drive's C: partition using Acronis or some similar program before you do all these things. That way if something goes wrong you can recover.

By the way, once you get the GRUB loader on the drive it is a real tough cookie to get rid of again, so look at installing Linux as a more or less permanant committment, or use a separate drive for Linux and leave your original Vista config alone.

[carbon_unit]

I I made the rescue/recovery disk, but do i need the recovery partition to be intact on the computer for the rescue/recovery discs to work?

That depends, Did you make 1 disk or a set of 7?
The 1 disk is just a Rescue and recovery boot disk and need the restore partition intact. The 7cd or 1cd, 1dvd set is what you should make. It can restore the hidden restore partition to your hard drive even if you mess it up real bad or replace it.

[Popliteus]

I'm glad you made the distinction between the two options -I had only made the single disc that accesses the recovery partition. How do I make the full set of disks? I only knew of making the single disc.

It is very important that I am able to "undo" the error of my ways if I mangle the ubuntu install. I don't mind it taking some time, I just need to know that I can restore things.

Thanks!

[ryengineer]

I'm glad you made the distinction between the two options -I had only made the single disc that accesses the recovery partition. How do I make the full set of disks? I only knew of making the single disc......snip

How to create recovery media using ThinkVantage Rescue and Recovery.

[Popliteus]

I do not have the option of creating recovery media (the thing circled in the oval.) All I get is the first part of what's in the box, the thing where I can do a CD/DVD or hard drive. I click next, it prompts me for a disc. I already did this once, and it made one disc, that's it. Something is wrong.

[carbon_unit]

I would give support a call.

[ryengineer]

I do not have the option of creating recovery media (the thing circled in the oval.) All I get is the first part of what's in the box, the thing where I can do a CD/DVD or hard drive. I click next, it prompts me for a disc. I already did this once, and it made one disc, that's it. Something is wrong.

In following situations one is unable to create Product Recovery disks:

You are not able to create the Recovery Discs in your current windows system in the following situations.
- Created one set of recovery discs already.
- Partitioned the hard drive.
- Deleted the original system recovery hidden partition.

However first weigh your options then call support. I suggest you run ThinkVantage System update and update everything you see next to "Rescue and Recovery".

Look at the following post by Steerpike:

Create Recovery Media gone missing - what to do?.