I've been trying to install linux to my pavilion dv5120us 37.2GB w/ WinXP laptop. I have WinXP and I need dual booting. Here is the problem:

After checking the disk for error, I tried to defragment the hard drive. Failed to move files towards the beginning of the drive, but defrag was ok (0% defragmentation afterwards). I did defrag 4 times. After running check disc again, I run Defrag another 3 times. I failed to move one stack of data to the front. If I can insert this image, you'll see:

http://www.geocities.com/towsonu2003/prntscr.jpg

If you're able to see the picture above, even I failed to move that stack in front where there still is space for data, you'll see that I still have about 1/3 of free space that I can cut (using ntfs resizing).

However, I was unable to resize it at all. While trying to install Novell Linux Desktop 9.0 SP1 (which uses ntfsresize 1.9.x for safe ntfs resizing), I chose "partition for experts"; the next dialogue informed me that there was 0 (zero) MB available to shrink the ntfs partition. Then the partitioning utility came up. I clicked "resize", and iin the next dialogue (where you choose how much to allocate for Linux), there was no space (except 6MB) to allocate for Linux after resizing (!) the ntfs.

PS. I was going to try Partition Magic but it's too big to dl (I'm using dial up...). I am not sure whether the partitioning tool in Novell Linux Desktop 9.0 SP1 is bugged or not.

How can this be possible?

Is this a new trick by WinXP?

I would be glad if you could help. Let me know what other info you will need.

Now I tried "perfectDisk" (an alternative to defrag in XP). It worked and I got rid of the chunk of data in the middle. Then I tried Novell's intallation utility to ntfs resize. Not working just like before.
Then I tried Ubuntu 5.04. It has ntfsresize 1.9.4. This tool told me that my disk was faulty (manufacture fault or dying disk". I run check disk in XP but there were no errors at all (because I already run that twice before).
I am stuck at this point...
For once I wish I had a good experience with installing linux
Will continue trying, any help appreciated!

You only waste your time with defragmentation, the Linux NTFS resizer doesn't need it at all because it can safely move around any data.

You problem is that your disk has hardware damage. The Ntfsresize FAQ explains this better at http://mlf.linux.rulez.org/mlf/ezaz/...tml#badsectors

To see the real disk damages (bad sectors) you must run chkdsk /f /r from the DOS command line then reboot XP.

If XP boots up ok, I wouldn't be too quick to say the drive is damaged.
Here are my notes

To resize an NTFS partition to a smaller amount:
Run defrag and scandisk before proceeding
Boot up with a Linux LiveCD

# Backup the partition table with the command:
sfdisk -d /dev/hda > /mnt/images/w2part

# This will show how much space can be gained.
ntfsresize --info /dev/hda1

# In this case, I'm resizing the file system to an available amount of 8000M (8GB).
ntfsresize --size 8000M /dev/hda1

# Run the fdisk utility to resize the partition.
# Delete the old partition and create a new one.
# Make sure to use the original starting point and make any changes only at the end of the partition.
# Don't forget to set the partition type to 7 (NTFS) and write the changes.
fdisk /dev/hda

# Reboot and let Windows do the chkdisk thing.
# Reboot with the rescue cd and run the resize with no options to make sure the file sytem matches the partition size: ntfsresize /dev/hda1

Thanks so much everyone. After the advices, I used ntfsresize from distro RIP 14.1 to resize. Again, thanks so much!