A couple of problems encountered...

[N4RPS]

Hello!

You're welcome. Happy to help.

Of course, you will need to boot to a Live CD, and run GParted from there. It won't let you change anything on a partition that's currently in use.

If you want to preserve your current Linux partition and its contents, you DEFINITELY *DON'T* want to delete or remove it. The swap file can be altered as you see fit, as nothing is ever permanently stored there. (I've seen 2-4 GB mentioned as a recommended swap file size, but I use 2 X however  much RAM I have installed as a general rule of thumb).

This also goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway: Before changing ANYTHING, if you can, back up what you now have, so you can restore it if something goes haywire. I use Redo Backup to do this, as it copies the entire drive in its current state.

Afterward, if you want to completely obliterate your Windows install, then yes, you delete that partition with GParted and leave it unallocated. You then click on your Linux partition, select 'Resize/Move', and specify what size you want to become and/or move it to where you want it to be. Growing a Linux partition is pretty quick, but moving one can take a while, depending on how big it is.

(Attention others: If any of this is incorrect, then by all means, say so)...

73 DE N4RPS
Rob

[gold_finger]

Sounds fine to me N4RPS.

Couple side notes:

• When using live DVD/USB it will usually mount and use the swap partition on the hard drive.  If you try moving/resizing swap partition it won't let you.  You'll need to right-click the partition (in GParted interface) and choose "Swapoff" before doing anything with it.
  
• Size of swap partition is highly subjective and everyone has there own preferences.  Most important to consider is whether you plan on hibernating the computer.  If "yes", then make swap partition (at minimum) slightly more than amount of RAM on your computer.
  
  

[Peter B]

Thanks guys...I will study what you've both said for a couple of days before I attempt it and come back if I have any dopey questions before I actually do it!

[N4RPS]

Hello!

Thanks for covering my back on that. I definitely DID forget about having to turn off the swap file, even though, now that I recall, I've had to do that before a time or few myself...

73 DE N4RPS
Rob

[gold_finger]

Thanks guys...I will study what you've both said for a couple of days before I attempt it and come back if I have any dopey questions before I actually do it!

Here is a GParted tutorial that will give you a better idea of how it works than just our descriptions:  http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/gparted.html

[Peter B]

Thank you for that, i will read up on it before I dive in...