T61 is here! Now want to alter partitions...

[kaczor47]

I have just received my T61 6460-DWU, and while I am overall very happy with it, I would like to change the partition configuration on its 160GB HD. Basically, what I am aiming at is to split the drive into 3 partitions and (possibly) remove the hidden recovery partition to regain its 10GB.

Before proceeding I would like some feedback...My (proposed) approach is to
- create a Rescue & Recovery set with factory configuration (I have done this).
- use either gparted or parted magic to remove hidden partition, reduce the main partition size and create 2 additional 'data' partitions in the freed space.

My questions are as follows:

1. Will my R&R discs recover the factory preload when the bootable partition size has changed?

2. Will the R&R process leave my new data partitions in tact?

3. On my T61, the hidden partition follows the OS partition (at least that is what gpart indicates). If I chose to leave the recovery partition, would I have to add my 2 data partitions before or after it? (ie must it be the 2nd partition in sequence or the last partition?)

4. finally, has anyone successfully booted parted magic on a T61? I managed to load gparted (but only when forcing Vesa graphics)... no such luck with Parted Magic - it simply hangs after loading drivers and the screen goes blank... since Parted Magic is essentially based on gparted, I suspect that the problem is graphics related.

Regarding 2...
I have read conflicting info on this: from http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=52133
"Important: During the recovery process, all data on all partitions of the hard disk will be deleted, including any personal data and configuration settings."

and from here: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=54481
"Older versions of Rescue and Recovery deletes whatever comes in it's way, beginning with v4.x it will give you custom options to wipe out the 1. Primary partition only or 2. Format the entire drive."

Can anyone confirm this? (I have R&R ver 4.0....)

Sorry for the lengthy post, but this is a procedure which I want to get right!

cheers.

[ryengineer]

1. Yes.

2. Restoring from R n R disks will demolish everything however restoring from R n R partition present on your HDD will give you an option to wipe out entire drive or to keep the partitions intact.

3. Here is a good advice:

Simply want to add an extended partition to R61.

4. I don't own T61 but gparted worked great on my T60.

5. See # 2.