 Need To Merge Partitions |
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 Jan 17 2007, 06:26 AM
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#1
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NiGHTFoX - Hiding in the dark  Group: Members Posts: 680 Joined: 3-April 05 Member No.: 3,584  |
Hey,
I used to dual boot Linux & Windows on my main computer, however, I now have a dedicated box that I want to put Linux on. So, I want to merge the Linux partitions (formatted of course) into my Windows NTFS partition. I know Partition Magic can do this, but I don't have that kind of money to buy a license and was wondering if there was a freeware alternative? Thanks!! [N]F |
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Jan 17 2007, 12:26 PM
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#2
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The Modernator Group: Members Posts: 486 Joined: 6-August 06 From: The Interweb! Member No.: 15,021 |
the only program I know for doing this is partition magic..and it doesnt work its magic most of the time..it can be very tricky getting everything the way you want it..I would try to backup all the stuff you need to a portable HD then remove all partitions using the Linux install disks and start again with it..I have saved a lot of time and hassle in the past by doing this..
Good Luck! |
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Jan 17 2007, 04:16 PM
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#3
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Newbie [ Level 2 ] Group: Members Posts: 29 Joined: 15-January 07 From: Waterville, Maine Member No.: 19,549 myCENTs:5.46 |
After a quick search I have found a number of freeware partition managers. Do you really need to merge the partitions? An easier alternative would be to remove the linux partitions and then resize the NTFS Windows partition. I honestly have never used anything but PartitionMagic and the partition managers integrated into OS installation disks so I can't really suggest a specific program. My advice would be to back-up everything important. (Good practice especially when you are working with partitions!) Then try and find a solid freeware partition manager.
Here are a few that I came across (there are probably many more): Partition Resizer v1.3.4 Ranish Partition Manager Super Fdisk 1.0 Cute Partition Manager 0.9.1 http://www.freewarefiles.com/program_9_96_18078.html A Nice List Of Partition Freeware Good luck! |
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Jan 17 2007, 09:49 PM
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#4
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NiGHTFoX - Hiding in the dark Group: Members Posts: 680 Joined: 3-April 05 Member No.: 3,584 |
QUOTE(04dsmith86 @ Jan 17 2007, 11:16 AM)  An easier alternative would be to remove the linux partitions and then resize the NTFS Windows partition. If that's easier than "merging" the partitions, then that works. Also, is there an easy way to remove grub? I tried using my XP setup disk > recovery console > "fixmbr" but then it wouldn't boot... I had to reinstall linux to get grub back on and then it booted fine and I could get into Windows again. [N]F |
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Jan 17 2007, 10:31 PM
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#5
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Newbie [ Level 2 ] Group: Members Posts: 29 Joined: 15-January 07 From: Waterville, Maine Member No.: 19,549 myCENTs:5.46 |
QUOTE There is no concept uninstall in boot loaders, because if you uninstall a boot loader, an unbootable machine would simply remain. So all you need to do is overwrite another boot loader you like to your disk, that is, install the boot loader without uninstalling GRUB. For example, if you want to install the boot loader for Windows, just run FDISK /MBR on Windows. If you want to install LILO (I can't imagine why you want to do such a thing, though), run /sbin/lilo on GNU/Linux. I grabbed that from here. I also found a lot of useful info here. You really should back up your important data. There is a possibility that you can make a disk unbootable or mess up your partition table. Use caution, things could get hairy. Just make sure you have access to another working computer in case you need to go online for help. 
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Jan 18 2007, 12:19 PM
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#6
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Binary Geek Group: Members Posts: 444 Joined: 4-November 05 From: The Digital Arena Member No.: 9,440 |
I recently had this problem with my laptop that had a dual boot of linux and windows goin on. My windows wouldent start up and i used to get this error ..
GRUB Loading stage 1.5 GRUB loading, please wait... Error xx These Steps / options should always be tried to fix the MBR if necessary after such a disaster IMO. 1) Boot with your Windows XP CD 2) Select "R" for the Recovery Console (Correct me if this is wrong) 3) When the command Prompt appears .. Type ... fdisk /mbr ... OREither one of these 3 commands should work for you. I dont know why only one does not work for all, but its good to have the extra info Regards Dhanesh. |
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Jan 29 2007, 01:59 PM
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#7
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NiGHTFoX - Hiding in the dark Group: Members Posts: 680 Joined: 3-April 05 Member No.: 3,584 |
The only one that works is fixmbr except it doesn't boot! With my Windows XP CD in the drive, I see:
CODE Press any key to boot from CD....._ Without the CD in the drive, all I see is: CODE _ _ is the cursor. FIXMBR used to work in the past, because I remember doing it. I think what I might do is just save all my stuff and then re-install Windows (which I want to do anyways because it feels a little "off" for me). Time to find good old SuSE! At least it reconizes Windows and GRUB gives me a chance to boot into that...  [N]F |
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Jan 29 2007, 09:34 PM
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#8
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Colonel Panic  Group: [MODERATOR] Posts: 2,881 Joined: 25-March 05 From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Member No.: 3,233 myCENTs:22.53 |
I still have the Windows 98 SE boot up floppy. It can be found here:
http://files.frashii.com/~bootdisk/alabama/boot98se.exe It works much better than the Windows XP installation disc for recovering your MBR. xboxrulz |
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Jan 30 2007, 12:10 AM
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#9
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NiGHTFoX - Hiding in the dark Group: Members Posts: 680 Joined: 3-April 05 Member No.: 3,584 |
Thanks, that's OK though... replaced XP with Vista... not to many problems now!
I found out I can't run as much as XP, but that's OK. I'll just add another gig this summer. But I'll keep that on hand just in case! Actually, I might have my original 98 disk still in it's plastic [N]F |
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Feb 1 2007, 12:48 AM
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#10
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Premium Member Group: Members Posts: 300 Joined: 25-May 06 Member No.: 13,654 |
Pre-vista I recommend PartitionMagic. The disk manager utility (control panel) in vista itself provided enough features for me.
Although I'm not sure if that Disk Manager was in XP as well. |
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