resize NTFS partition?
 

Hello.
One of my computer is currently a windows XP with a NTFS partition which is allocated on all the computer HD.
Is there a way to resize the NTFS partition for like half of what it is (let's say it's a 100gb HD and only 20gb is used), so I can install linux on ext3 or so?



Thanks!!

Use gparted from a live or rescue type CD, I use this one myself:

http://www.sysresccd.org/Main_Page

or see;

http://www.pro-networks.org/forum/viewstory.php?t=78111
http://extended64.com/blogs/blake/ar...7/21/2934.aspx

I use bootitng, the "Non-destructive, NTFS, Fat resize" function can be used with no obligation. It has a couple advantages, like the one quoted a few words back, and the fact that it's current version is stable, unlike Gparted. Just refuse to install it, which is the first thing it'll want to do (just say NO!) and use it's features through the maintenance/partitions work window. Best to also browse the .pdf manual that comes with it first.
EDIT: I also use Gparted for Linux partitions, seems to have no issues with them, but if you were to use the LQ Search, I'm sure you can find some Gparted/NTFS horror stories, I remember reading and replying to many of them.

Nope - can't agree.
gparted (basically just a GUI frontend) uses ntfsresize, a part of the ntfsprogs project.
Whilst (like all good software) it's under constant development it is *not* unstable. It may not not resize a NTFS partition, but that is because the partition contains errors - and tells you so. Good policy as far as I'm concerned.
I use it on almost everything - Vista (finally) has a decent partition resizer; use that on Vista, else use gparted.

Support good open source software - which is at least as good as commercial.

According to C.V.S. naming convention, anything below version 1.0 has not reached the "stable" state yet. Software becomes stable at version 1.0.

Oh!
And, if the NTFS journal is reporting errors, the Linux kernel will refuse to mount the file system, the "horror stories" are about not being able to boot Windows after Gparted "tried" to resize it, meaning there were no errors.
My personal opinion on most of these "horror stories", it appeared in many of these cases that the poster did not want to admit to their mistakes when they finally got Windows to boot up. I think, they figured Gparted appeared to be hung up as it was doing the resize, they got nervous or itchy and canceled the process or shut down the system and tried to re-boot. Eventually breaking down and going through the process again and letting Gparted do it's thing and they were able to eventually re-boot Windows.

While were on the subject of "Good practices", what would be considered "Good practice" to you? Advising to use software that has not reached the stable state yet, or advising to use software that's proven and past the stable state.

Disable the virtual memory, Disable the system restore option
Do the boot time Defragmentation using non-microsoft-defrag tool
use the PartitionMagic 8.0
be aware ! take backup before doing

Junior Hacker,

why do you say that gparted hasn't reached 1.0 yet? The latest release is at 3.5.something already...

Compare my sig line to yours.

Have you taken a good look at the Gparted latest release version lately? If you were to hit the link Leonard provided, then scroll down to "Gparted" and click on that link, you'll be taken right to the project's page, It's right there at the top right hand side.

I've used QParted on Knoppix to resize my ntfs partition many times - it's been up and down like a yoyo until I settled on the present size - with no problems at all.

My signature is meant to encourage others to remove the fear, and do what most people eventually end up doing anyway. Life is full of risks, those that don't take risks, usually don't move ahead neither.
I won't comment on your signature, because you have the right to put whatever you want there, even if it has nothing to do with Linux or advice.

True, gparted (just a GUI frontend) is at the 0.3.X level. However the main tool gparted uses for NTFS is; http://www.ntfs-3g.org/ which is at the 1.8X level.

NTFS-3G is used for read/write access to an NTFS file system, it is not a partitioning tool, is it?
Look y'all, you want to marry Gparted and have little gparted babies, that's your choice. There's a reason Gparted is not considered stable, without even knowing what it is, should be enough to make you stop and think rather than "shoot first and ask questions @ linuxquestions.org later". Free is free, most "normal" people will opt to go for the latest version rather than a beta version, why do you think Fedora is so popular? Get a grip on reality already.

And besides, if you don't agree that the next bit of advice is the best advice, you better re-evaluate your train of thought.
Resizing partitions is a highly sensitive area, when it comes to manipulating files systems, the best tool to use when manipulating a Linux files system, is a Linux based tool. The best tool to use when manipulating a Windows file system, is a Windows based tool. NTFS-3G and ntfsprogs are not Windows based tools. Bootitng will only change the partition table information when you want to resize a Linux partition, it will tell you flat out that you have to use a Linux based tool to resize the file system.
Is that a poor approach?, moreover, is that bad advice?.