Enhance Disk Space for Linux

Support knowledgebase (fluttma_partitionierung)
Applies to

SuSE Linux: Versions since 7.1

Request:

Disk space needs to be allocated for Linux.

Procedure:

Linux requires empty partitions or free unpartitioned disk space. It is not possible to place a Linux partition between two available Windows partitions. If you have three available Windows partitions, it is not possible to make a Linux partition between the first and third Windows partition, replacing the second one. That would lead to a change of the device letters concerning the Windows partitions and subsequently cause errors in the Windows operating system.

Sometimes preconfigured Windows hosts have two partitions -- the main partition and a small hidden partition at the end of the hard disk, which includes system files. In this case, copy these files to the main partition and subsequently delete the small partition (with DOS fdisk, the DOS software FIPS, or during the installation when you partition manually).

Before you change the partition table, create a backup to save your Windows files.

If an operating system is already installed on your hard disk, such as Windows or Linux, you have several possibilities to create this disk space.

Repartition the Hard Drive

Repartition the hard drive. For that purpose, save the Windows files, repartition the entire hard drive with DOS fdisk, and create a primary partition for Windows. Reserve free space for Linux.

After this, reinstall Windows. Finally, install Linux.

Windows Resizer

You can use the Windows resizer during the installation with YaST2 if the following requirements are met.

Before you change the partition table, create a backup and store your relevant Windows files.

Fips

If you are installing with YaST1 or if the reduction of the Windows partition using the Windows resizer does not succeed, you may use the DOS program fips.exe from the directory \dosutils\fips\fips20 from the 1st CD. The program can likewise reduce VFAT file system partitions. An instruction for this program can be found in the same directory.

To minimize windows partitions, move the files to the beginning of the partition with a defragmentation program. Defragmentation software does not relocate hidden system files, because such files may have been set up from copy protection programs or system tools, such as Norton Utilities, at a defined place on the hard disk. If there are no such files, you may deactivate the attribute 'Hidden' or 'System' concerning all relevant files to move these files.

C:\>ATTRIB *.* > attrib.txt

Write a list of the files signed with the S or H flag into the file attrib.txt. You will receive a summary of all files and change the attribute with the DOS command:

C:\>ATTRIB -h -s filename.typ 

After the defragmentation process, revoke the changes by executing the DOS command

C:\>ATTRIB +s +h filename.typ

Even the Windows swap file Win386.swp is a hidden file. In the Windows 'System Control', deactivate this virtual memory.

Data may be lost by repartitioning. Backup your Windows files.

Find more information about repartitioning at chapter 2.6.1. 'Enhance free space for linux' covered in the reference manual. On the first CD you'll find the file "book-suselinux-reference_de.pdf" located in "/docu". It contains our manual included in the professional-edition of SuSE Linux 7.2 in a pdf-file format. The ASCII version of the reference manual can be found in /docu/ascii/suselinux-reference_de.txt.

Additional Hard Disks

Installation of Linux on an empty hard disk is the best option. The partitioning will be suggested by YaST2 (or YaST1) automatically. If you partition manually, use partitions as follows:

    Device     Size    Filesystem   Mountpoint

   /dev/hda1    20 MB    ext2          /boot
   /dev/hda2   128 MB    swap          ---
   /dev/hda3  1400 MB    ext2          /
   /dev/hda4   400 MB    ext2          /home

The numbering can differ from this table.

The device names read as follows:

   IDE System:

   Primary IDE,   Master      =  /dev/hda
   Primary IDE,   Slave       =  /dev/hdb
   Secondary IDE, Master      =  /dev/hdc
   Secondary IDE, Slave       =  /dev/hdd

   Systems with additional IDE Controllers:

   First Hard Disk at the Controller = /dev/hde
   Second Hard Disk at the Controller = /dev/hdf

   SCSI System:

   first SCSI hard disk   =  /dev/sda
   second SCSI hard disk  =  /dev/sdb

Features of the partitions:

The specifications for root and home partition are standard values for an installation of a standard system with office. For a working station or one using applications like games and picture editing or CD-ROM writing software, the creation of larger partitions is recommended.
Keywords: SPACE, PARTITIONING, RESIZER, FIPS, DEFRAG, WINDOWS, WIN95, WIN98, WINME, PARTITIONS, ENHANCE, INSTALLATION

Categories: Linux

SDB-fluttma_partitionierung, Copyright SuSE Linux AG, Nürnberg, Germany - Version: 18. Jul 2001
SuSE Linux AG - Last generated: 14. Oct 2002 by dstark (sdb_gen 1.40.0)