adding Unallocated space to LL partition?

[Searchernow]

I have a dual-boot Win7 and LL 3.8, all working fine.

I intend to install LL4 and I used GParted (within LL) to reduce the Windows partition. I now have 53GB Unallocated which I would like to add to my 108GB LL partition.

When I try to re-size the LL partition it won't allow any size bigger than the min/max stated.
I'm guessing it might be to do with the Unallocated being on the Win side of the linux-swap, but in fact I'm new to this operation.

If it's a head-wrecking task I might leave it as is, just install LL 4 to the 108gb.

[supergamer]

I am assuming completely, but here is what I think your partition hard drive looks like.


LL >> swap >> Windows >> unallocated space.


If this is the setup you can try to delete the swap and move Windows down to a newly formatted ntfs that you have for the unallocated space. This is going to be tricky as you may loose all your windows info. The swap can be recreated after the move of the windows and you will have to edit the fstab to put in the new name of it. Basically it would be easier to format the unallocated space and use it for the LL4 install, just make sure you make a new partition for it to be seen to be installed to. If this is similar to your harddrive, from personal experience I would not move windows as I have lost stuff for people I have tried to do this for. For me cloning the drive saved my behind more than once. If you wish to redo everything I would suggest partitioning the hard drive and putting windows first then installing the Linux distros.

[Searchernow]

thanks.  Mine is (from top)  Windows / Unallocated / swap / LL

If it's a tricky / dangerous operation I think I'll forget it, I can live with just 108gb for LL.

[supergamer]

Create new from gparted in the unallocated partition and remember the partition name and you should be able to install LL4 to it. Before you do this, it might be helpful to have a screenshot of gparted showing the drive just to be sure so I am seeing what I think I am in your response.

[firenice03]

thanks.  Mine is (from top)  Windows / Unallocated / swap / LL

If it's a tricky / dangerous operation I think I'll forget it, I can live with just 108gb for LL.

Since the disk is laid out in this fashion..
You can confirm in GPARTED You can right click and choose resize, but only on Windows and Swap - as they reside next to the unallocated on the disk..
You could remove the swap making it part of the unallocated, extend the LL partition from the new total (leave some for swap) then recreate swap (from the last remaining unallocated)....

You would need to 'swapoff' which is an option (rt click) in the GUI prior.... 
Then delete swap
Extend LL
Create a new partition for swap - make sure you choose linux-swap (not ext4)
Then process/proceed (arrow up top)
When complete -- 'swapon' (rt click)

I did just test this on my set up.. Just the swap portion..
But I increased swap from 1.86gb to 2gb (2048mb)

No harm

[Searchernow]

Thanks Firenice,

I think I get most of that, I'll probably get the rest as I do it.

I'm thinking I might increase the Win7 again a bit, so I'll hold off for now. Decisions, decisions ...

[firenice03]

Thanks Firenice,

I think I get most of that, I'll probably get the rest as I do it.

I'm thinking I might increase the Win7 again a bit, so I'll hold off for now. Decisions, decisions ...

Not a problem..
Yes everything within the GUI, select the partition and right click..
Same would hold true for the windows partition..
Delete swap.. Add to both Windows and LL... Create a new swap...
Then to finish Windows, you would need to expand within its OS (computer management/disk management/extend volume)