Hello,

I have a problem with the FS on my laptop. The partition table is as follows:

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id. System
/dev/hda1 * 1 1012 7680928+ 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/hda2 1017 1024 60480 83 Linux
/dev/hda3 * 1025 1696 5080320 83 Linux

I'm not sure where the hda2 drive came from. I think maybe i put it there as
a boot partition when I first installed, but I don't want it any more.

My question is as follows:

1) is it possible to just delete the partition, if so would /dev/hda3 remain called /dev/hda3 and if not would lilo know where to find the correct partition to mount as root.

2) what is the best way of getting rid of this partition, as it is taking up one of my 4 primary partitions and I want to add a swap partition and another bootable partition.

3) can I merge the partitions with out damaging the contents of the root volume. i.e can I make /dev/hda3/ go from 1017 to 1696, without damaging anything on it.

any help much appreciated.

Leo.

Leo,

First question I have for you, is hda2 mounted when you boot and does it contain anything?
(just to be safe - double check that ! (type " mount " at the CLI as root or SU. ) )

hda3 should not move down to hda2... IF it does, the only files you have to change to match
the new configuration on your current hda3 are /etc/fstab and /etc/lilo.conf (and then run /sbin/lilo
as you normally would ).

How to merge the two partitions (increase the size of hda3), I have read many posts on resizing, but
all they tend to say is: "use this program". So I can't help you on that issue, I've never done it.

Also, since hda2 appears rather small, if you are not REAL short on disk space, and you want to recover
the use of a primary partition, just delete it and make hda2 AFTER hda3. But there is no problem with
logical drives - they work fine too for swap parts. and others.

BUT keep in mind, any /boot partition (if I'm not mistaken) should be before the 1024 cylinder. So..... that
may be why you made hda2 in the first place?

I'm still on my first cup of coffe today, hope that helps at least a little.
good luck
-tw

p.s. - maybe this link will help a bit too:
http://www.geocities.com/epark/linux...w2k-HOWTO.html

yes i think that may have been why i made that partition. it was never used tho- so i will now leave it as dead space. as you say it is very small.

my partition table is now:


Device Boot Start End Blocks Id. System
/dev/hda1 * 1 1012 7680928+ 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/hda2 1767 2584 60480 83 Linux
/dev/hda3 * 1025 1696 5080320 83 Linux
/dev/hda4 1697 1766 529200 82 Linux Swap

which is perfect! thanks for your help, looks like one cup of coffee was enough for the right answer!

thanks again.

Leo.