hi

I have windows and linux on separate partitions, and i was resizing a partition from windows using PartitionMagic and allocating the new space to a new partition. After the resize i got an error. The new space is unallocated, and the program crashed everytime i tried to reallocate it.

I switched to Linux (RH9) and using fdisk, tried to add a new partition.
BUT
when i try to add, i get the message: No free sectors available
when i choose verify partition table i get: 3903919 unallocated sectors

here is my partition table:

Disk /dev/hda: 20.0 GB, 20003880960 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 2432 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/hda1 1 4 32098+ de Dell Utility
/dev/hda2 * 5 1457 11671222+ 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/hda3 1701 2368 5365710 83 Linux
/dev/hda4 2369 2432 514080 f Win95 Ext'd (LBA)
/dev/hda5 2369 2432 514048+ 82 Linux swap

any ideas how to solve this?

thanks so much,
yzman

Wow, no one knows anything about this?! please help!

Basic partition information:
Primary partitions are labeled 1-4. Logical partitions are labeled >=5.
An extended partition is the method for creating more then 4 partitions and is a container for logical partitions.

In your case you already have 4 primary partitions and your extended partition is full because the swap file is using all of its space ie. extend = swap size. With your present configuration even though you have unallocated space you can not create anymore partitions.

I have never tried this but you could attempt to resize the extended partition and then create a logical. Or since the logical is only a swap file you can delete the extended and swap partitions Then create an extended to fill the entire unallocated space, then create a new swap partition and any additional partitions you want. You will have to format the swap partition and then change the fstab file if the partition ID is not the same as the original. To format swap: mkswap /dev/hdax where x is the partition ID.

I don't know why Partition Magic crashes, except it isn't perfect and might be trying something that can't be done.

thanks so much for the info!

can i remove the swap partition or try to resize the extended partiton wile linux is running?

It would be best if you used the 1st CD and booted into rescue mode. You really do not want the OS to be running on the same disk that your changing the partition table on or try to change a mounted partition. After you change the partitions you will want to reboot.

I have never had any problems with PM but you will find lots of post where it has screwed everything up. Always backup important data before making any changes.

thanks MichaelK,

i solved the problem by deleting the 32M partition that Dell has on the laptop and so then i have 3 primaries instead of 4, and reallocated the 2G free space as a new primary partition!

i hope i will never need whatever was on that 32M partition!

I hope so too. That partition was hidden and contained all of the recovery information for your system. If you every need to restore your windows OS your going to be SOL.

I try so hard ... :-( Sigh....

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i think u may have damaged your partition table, and partition magic was not successful in modifying your partition info. U have to reinstall linux again with the option of not reformatting your needed partition (where your data reside).