1 Topic by Domdom (edited by Domdom 2009-11-08 19:27:42)

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Topic: [SOLVED] - Increase Win XP partition unsuccessful

Hello,

I had to re-install windows on a hard drive whose capacity is 1 To.
When I installed xp, I made a partition of 500Go that I now want to increase, if possible, to the max (1To).

I tried using GParted but it was unsuccessful:

1st time/
HDD structure:
partition 1: 500Go, partition 2: 500Go, Unallocated space: 8Mo

--> Gparted told me the max for the xp partition was 500 Go ie. impossible to increase the xp partition.

2d time/
I created another partition by resizing the second partition to 250 Go and letting free space between the partition 1 and the second partition, which is something I read in a forum. (this operation took several hours to complete ...)
New HDD structure:
partition 1: 500G0 - Unallocated space: 250Go - Partition 2: 250 Go - Unallocated space: 8Mo

--> this operation was successful but again, it was impossible for me to increase the partition1 ("max size: 500Go")

Question:
How can I increase the size of the partition 1 ?

Thanks a lot for helping

Dominique

2 Reply by gedakc

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Re: [SOLVED] - Increase Win XP partition unsuccessful

GParted will only permit growing a file system into free unallocated adjacent space.

If you are trying to Grow a primary partition, then the space must be outside of an extended partition.

If you are trying to grow a logical partition, then the space must be inside of an extended partition.

My thoughts are that the former is probably the case.  To fix this situation, shrink the extended partition from the left to butt up against partition 2.  After that you should be able to grow partition 1.

Please note that we advise you to back up your data prior to moving and resizing partition.  This is so you can restore if anything goes wrong (e.g. , hardware problem, software bug, power failure, etc.)

3 Reply by Domdom

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Re: [SOLVED] - Increase Win XP partition unsuccessful

Thanks a lot gedakc !!

You were right.
Everything that was not in the "Partition 1" was in an extended partition.

Consequently, I deleted what I called the "Partition2" (250Go, NTFS), then I deleted the Extended partition (everything that was right to Partition1) and I increased the Partition 1 .
It took 20 seconds.

Everything works fine now.

By the way, in case you know:
What would you advise should I want to make a "clone" of my first hard drive, knowing that I have 4 hdd.
hdd1 - Windows xp
hdd2- will be the "Clone" of hdd1
hdd3- Ubuntu + data
hdd4- data
Which gnu software could I use to do this and how ?
Just in case you know and have 1 minute. Otherwise, I'll find out...


Thanks a lot for your efficient help
Dominique

4 Reply by gedakc

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Re: [SOLVED] - Increase Win XP partition unsuccessful

'Glad to hear that your problem is solved.  smile

To indicate this on the post, you can edit the title and add "SOLVED - " to the start of the title.

If you wish to backup your windows partition for later restoration, then a tool such as PartImage can be very useful (the compressed image will take less space).

Some other options include CloneZilla and FSArchiver.

5 Reply by Domdom (edited by Domdom 2009-11-08 19:22:30)

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Re: [SOLVED] - Increase Win XP partition unsuccessful

gedakc wrote:

'Glad to hear that your problem is solved.  smile

Again, Thanks a lot for your help smile

gedakc wrote:

'To indicate this on the post, you can edit the title and add "SOLVED - " to the start of the title.

I'll try to do it. Can't see how to edit the title... roll

gedakc wrote:

If you wish to backup your windows partition for later restoration, then a tool such as PartImage can be very useful (the compressed image will take less space).

Some other options include CloneZilla and FSArchiver.

OK. Fine, I'll try to do it.
Thanks for your tips.

Thank you for all
Dominique