Why can't I re-size my XP partition?

[John H]

I bought a used x60s on eBay which has XP on the HDD. It looks like a restore of the original XP.

So, of course, I wanted to add a Ubuntu partition, just as I have done before on 4 thinkpads. But, for reasons unexplained, "GParted" won't allow me to re-size the XP partition, and there is no space left on the little 60gb HDD. Incidentally, GPartEd says the XP partition is 55gb, but I ascribed the missing 5gb to the usual overhead (but now I worry that it may be the 'restore system' stuff).

So, I tried the Ubuntu 9.04 LiveCD (which works just fine as a demo system, and passed the CD check), but when I attempted an "Install" I couldn't allocate a partition or resize the XP.

I thought maybe the XP partition looked full because of some bogey file at the end of the partition, but the XP 'de-frag' showed nothing there and didn't do very much when de-fragging.

So, what's going on? Has Lenova installed the base XP system with some trick partition table that won't allow manipulation? Do I have to scratch the whole XP, re-format the HDD, and build partitions from scratch and re-install XP as well as install Ubuntu?

I used the XP a few days while I was checking out the hardware, so I have a few things in that partition, but I could export that stuff. But the XP system seems to be a good one, and may even correspond to the COA on the bottom of the X60s so I'd kinda like to preserve it (I could use Acronis, which I've used before, if that would solve my problem).

Also, I wonder if the 'Restore' stuff is hidden on that HDD, which is probably worth saving.

Maybe I should just install a bigger faster HDD and start from scratch. Then I could put the old HDD in a USB box and use 'ppcopy' or something to copy the XP over.

[killer]

There is no way that XP would take up the entire disk. I suggest you do a restore to factory settings and start again.

[moronoxyd]

Did you run a chkdsk on the Windows partition?
If there are filesystem errors most partitioning tools will refuse to work.

[John H]

Did you run a chkdsk on the Windows partition?
If there are filesystem errors most partitioning tools will refuse to work.

Good point!

I'll run chkdsk tonight.

Thanks.

[robert213]

I bought a used x60s on eBay which has XP on the HDD. It looks like a restore of the original XP.

So, what's going on? Has Lenova installed the base XP system with some trick partition table that won't allow manipulation?

Also, I wonder if the 'Restore' stuff is hidden on that HDD, which is probably worth saving.

I am not familar with X60, but on most Thinkpads...

There is a hidden FAT32 partition (called IBM_SERVICE using 1.658GB on T30) containing System Recovery (Windows and IBM Utilitities) programs.

This can be used to create new Recovery CD or to re-install Windows.

I prefer to purchase new faster larger HD (e.g. Hitachi 7K320 SATA or Hitachi 7K100 PATA)
and purchase new Recovery CD(s) from IBM.

If you decide to reinstall using Recovery CD(s) and a previously used HD. You must delete the partitions on the old used HD, in order for Recovery CD(s) to create a new hidden IBM_SERVICE partition.

[paul*robertson]

Easeus partition master is free and will show any hidden partitions.

[thinkpad1]

You tried to re-size XP while using GParted on Ubuntu 9.04 LiveCD? But, you couldn't resize? Maybe you mounted the partition? Check whether it's mounted or not. It needs to be unmounted when you try to change the partition (size).