Deleting Windows Partition
 

I have 2 partitions in my hdd. My Linux partition is almost full and I need to use the second partition (Windows).

1 Can I just delete the Windows partition and use its space for Linux?
2 If I format it with the ext3 filesystem will I be able to merge it with my existing "/" Partition?
3 Can I just format it with the ext3 filesystem and use it...?

You will need to delete the Windows partition and make a Linux one, or expand the old one. ext2/3 can expand forward, but not back. Merging isn't the word for it. Expanding the partition will be tricky. You will use fdisk and resize2fs:

first, delete the '/' w/ fdisk (assuming you also deleted the Windows one too)
This does not erase the data. Then, make a new, bigger partition. It has to start in the same place the '/' was. Now partition will be big, but if you mount it, it will appear to be the same size it was before. This is where resize2fs comes in. Just run it, and it will expand the filesystem to the new size.

You will need to use a bootdisk for this.
Also, there is an app on Knoppix called QtParted for resizing, this may be easier.

sure you can delete the partition and create or resize,but you can't make the size bigger then it is,because there is script between the partitions only way is delete and format and reinstall Linux,well you can do that in windows with program called partition magic like reclaim size.if you have windows installed do it with partition magic,if you have,if you don't have just download and install trial version for a while.you will log in to windows and with partition magic try resize Linux partition and take the whole windows partition then press apply and your computer will reboot and partition magic will work sure it will be gone too,why you have to try this,because you can save your Linux partition without deleitng it,or you have to delete or partitions in your computer and reinstall Linux or anyother.of course,if you want bigger space for your OS

For my earlier plan to work, the Windows partition has to be right after the linux one.
Try this instead:
copy a large folder to another partition: (like /usr, often the biggest of all)
*as root, in text single-user mode. Assumes new partition is ready*
mv /usr /usr.old
mkdir /usr
mount /dev/[new partition] /usr
umask 000
cp -a /usr.old/* /usr
*add the new partition to the /etc/fstab, and test it out. if all works well, delete /usr.old*

Actually, it won't work. The demo version of Partition Magic will allow you to see and manipulate your partitions, however the demo will not allow the changes to be WRITTEN to the HDD.

Also, if you did have a fully functional copy of PM, it would be better to create a set of PM emergency diskettes and run PM in DOS.

If you want a less expensive, but more effective partitioning tool that is also a boot manager and imaging tool, check out BootIT NG.

For the price, it is a great utility.

http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/

Does not need DOS to run.

just download from bittorrent then,by the way when partition magic is installed and after you make boot disks,boot disks will work if you don't resize or create partition with Linux partition tools then it doesn't recognize the partition or partitions because partition was not created with it,when you try to work with boot disks
good luck

ok, how are you supposed to remove your windows partition... OH! By installing something in windows and running it, of course! That makes perfect sense... Is it just me or is that in no way even POSSIBLE? You cannot remove a partition that an operating system is using... in the operating system that is using it...

Just do an upgrade or fresh install of linux and make the changes when it gives you the option.

What makes you think this is the partition Windows resides on? And Partition Magic has bootdisks to boot w/o Windows running.

i think, that this is the fastest and easiest way:
1. download PartitionMagic (illegal! :P ) and manage your partitions in graphical and non-realtime mode.
2. use PARTED (partition manager in LINUX - not sure that it is in Mandrake. If not - use fdisk or cfdisk

How about: Use QtParted, and manage your partitions graphically.

Re: Deleting Windows Partition
 

aaa :

Alright, someone said to just download and install the trial of partition magic for windows... which would mean you have to be in windows to install it... no?

In answer to your original question: Yes you can remove the Windows partition. There are a lot of way to do this. You can use the Windows boot disk, and run fdisk, or you can use your Mandrake install CD and use the Mandrake disk partitioning utility, from within the Update function [likely to be the safest way - you will need to press <F1> at the boot: prompt, and enter 'expert' [no quotes]]. If you have a copy of Partition Magic on a rescue disk set [any version 8.0 or later should support ext3] that will be the easiest way. The reference above to BootIT NG is a good suggestion - have never used that one, but have heard only good reports.

HTH,

question is he wants to delete windowz partition and resize the Linux parition!to delete the windoze partition is quite easy and there is a nice tool in mdk controlcenter to do that,how about resizing??thats why I recomended partition magic to use in windoze

vi0lat0r said:

"ok, how are you supposed to remove your windows partition... OH! By installing something in windows and running it, of course! That makes perfect sense... "


Thats one of the best ways to "get rid" of Windows!:)

Haha! Didn't even think of it like that :P