Unfortunately, for some reason after the auto-download update by Mandriva the application would not boot up. My original installation space was taken from C:\ reducing the Windows XP Pro partition size. I gave Linux 10 GB to see if I like using Linux, which I do!
On advice from Mandriva Israel www.mandriva.co.il I reinstalled Mandriva. I did as the Wizard showed replace the existing, what I got was saddling the Swap file two separate Linux format partitions. Now I am wondering whether I can merge the three sections without damaging the Linux installation. The swap file was the only partition according to Partition Magic 8.0 that shows as able to manage, merge etc.

Anyone know of a good Linux Partition Management programme that I can download or have any other ideas on the subject. Besides merging I would like to enlarge the Linux partition.

Thanking you in advance

Moshe
mbrace7@gmail.com

gparted is excellent - a GUI similar to PM. Use the liveCD.

Hopefully you meant 83, not e3.

If you have a working (Linux) system, run this from a console/terminal, and post all the output (you may need root/sudo)

Many thanks for your reply, I edited my question as you will see to get rid of e3 etc

But I am wondering whether a) I can actually merge all 3 partitions; the two Linux either side of the Swap file Partition, b) as if I understand from various threads that it is quite normal for there to be a separate swap partition, and c) whether it will be actually possible to enlarge either of the saddling Linux partitions, and better to make a fresh new Linux partition robbing C:\ of space. I know that partition walls in themselves gobble up Hard Drive space.