[opensuse] Resizing partitions safely
Is there a way to "safely" resize extended partitions? I have a 2TB extended partition that has some reiserfs partitions inside and I'd like to shrink it without data loss. Sure, full backup etc... But it's not an easy option in this case. Can some tool like Partition Magic be used, or any other? -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
On 2007/09/25 09:45 (GMT+0200) Anders Norrbring apparently typed:
Is there a way to "safely" resize extended partitions? I have a 2TB extended partition that has some reiserfs partitions inside and I'd like to shrink it without data loss.
Sure, full backup etc... But it's not an easy option in this case.
Can some tool like Partition Magic be used, or any other?
All competent partitioning tools will if necessary automatically resize the extended to fit the partitions that can legally be there. If there is freespace adjacent to an existing logical, that freespace should be allowed to be selected in the tool to add another as if it was already part of the extended. Resizing an extended to a smaller size would be an exercise in futility. An extended is actually just a logical construct made up of the individual partitions it contains, plus any intervening freespace that may exist between any of them, plus the MBR partition table entry that points to the first logical partition that the extended "contains". -- "It yet remains a problem to be solved in human affairs, whether any free government can be permanent, where the public worship of God, and the support of religion, constitute no part of the policy or duty of the state in any assignable shape." Chief Justice Joseph Story Team OS/2 ** Reg. Linux User #211409 Felix Miata *** http://mrmazda.no-ip.com/ -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
-----Ursprungligt meddelande----- Från: Felix Miata [mailto:mrmazda@ij.net] Skickat: den 25 september 2007 15:08 Till: opensuse@opensuse.org Ämne: Re: [opensuse] Resizing partitions safely
On 2007/09/25 09:45 (GMT+0200) Anders Norrbring apparently typed:
Is there a way to "safely" resize extended partitions? I have a 2TB extended partition that has some reiserfs partitions inside and I'd like to shrink it without data loss.
Sure, full backup etc... But it's not an easy option in this case.
Can some tool like Partition Magic be used, or any other?
All competent partitioning tools will if necessary automatically resize the extended to fit the partitions that can legally be there. If there is freespace adjacent to an existing logical, that freespace should be allowed to be selected in the tool to add another as if it was already part of the extended.
Resizing an extended to a smaller size would be an exercise in futility. An extended is actually just a logical construct made up of the individual partitions it contains, plus any intervening freespace that may exist between any of them, plus the MBR partition table entry that points to the first logical partition that the extended "contains".
With that I take it that for example Partition Magic can do this? The built in tools in Linux refuse since the "filesystem doesn't support resize"... I'll make a test on another box first... Anders. -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
On Sep 25 2007 16:10, Anders Norrbring wrote:
All competent partitioning tools will if necessary automatically resize the extended to fit the partitions that can legally be there. If there is freespace adjacent to an existing logical, that freespace should be allowed to be selected in the tool to add another as if it was already part of the extended.
Resizing an extended to a smaller size would be an exercise in futility. An extended is actually just a logical construct made up of the individual partitions it contains, plus any intervening freespace that may exist between any of them, plus the MBR partition table entry that points to the first logical partition that the extended "contains".
With that I take it that for example Partition Magic can do this?
Bite the bullet and see. IIRC I read reports that it screws up linux filesystem innards during the operation.
The built in tools in Linux refuse since the "filesystem doesn't support resize"... I'll make a test on another box first...
-- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
On 2007/09/25 10:10 (GMT-0400) Anders Norrbring apparently typed:
Från: Felix Miata [mailto:mrmazda@ij.net]
All competent partitioning tools will if necessary automatically resize the extended to fit the partitions that can legally be there. If there is freespace adjacent to an existing logical, that freespace should be allowed to be selected in the tool to add another as if it was already part of the extended.
Resizing an extended to a smaller size would be an exercise in futility. An extended is actually just a logical construct made up of the individual partitions it contains, plus any intervening freespace that may exist between any of them, plus the MBR partition table entry that points to the first logical partition that the extended "contains".
With that I take it that for example Partition Magic can do this? The built in tools in Linux refuse since the "filesystem doesn't support resize"... I'll make a test on another box first...
I recommend avoiding PM whenever possible, as it likes to prefer windoz methods where standards are unclear. Parted, Gparted & Qparted all ought to be able to do it if sfdisk and cfdisk cannot. Also look at fips. Anyway, there is no filesystem on any extended partition The filesystems are all on individual partitions, just as with primary partitions. Each may or may not be resizable according to the actual filesystem installed. Maybe you should give us your partitioning scheme and plan so we can see what your actual obstacle(s) may be. I stick to one cross-platform tool: http://www.dfsee.com/dfsee/ -- "It yet remains a problem to be solved in human affairs, whether any free government can be permanent, where the public worship of God, and the support of religion, constitute no part of the policy or duty of the state in any assignable shape." Chief Justice Joseph Story Team OS/2 ** Reg. Linux User #211409 Felix Miata *** http://mrmazda.no-ip.com/ -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
On 2007/09/25 10:10 (GMT-0400) Anders Norrbring apparently typed:
Från: Felix Miata [mailto:mrmazda@ij.net]
All competent partitioning tools will if necessary automatically resize the extended to fit the partitions that can legally be there. If there is freespace adjacent to an existing logical, that freespace should be allowed to be selected in the tool to add another as if it was already part of the extended.
Resizing an extended to a smaller size would be an exercise in futility. An extended is actually just a logical construct made up of the individual partitions it contains, plus any intervening freespace that may exist between any of them, plus the MBR partition table entry that points to the first logical partition that the extended "contains".
With that I take it that for example Partition Magic can do this? The built in tools in Linux refuse since the "filesystem doesn't support resize"... I'll make a test on another box first...
I recommend avoiding PM whenever possible, as it likes to prefer windoz methods where standards are unclear. Parted, Gparted & Qparted all ought to be able to do it if sfdisk and cfdisk cannot. Also look at fips.
Anyway, there is no filesystem on any extended partition The filesystems are all on individual partitions, just as with primary partitions. Each may or may not be resizable according to the actual filesystem installed.
Maybe you should give us your partitioning scheme and plan so we can see what your actual obstacle(s) may be.
I stick to one cross-platform tool: http://www.dfsee.com/dfsee/
This isn't from the actual box, but it's a similar setup (can't seem to screenshot the current one): /dev/sdc1 1 19582 157292383+ 83 Linux /dev/sdc2 19583 243132 1795665375 f W95 Ext'd (LBA) /dev/sdc5 19583 30027 83891430 83 Linux /dev/sdc6 32638 243132 1690801056 83 Linux sdc1 is xfs sdc5 and sdc6 are reiserfs Anders -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
On 2007/09/25 16:36 (GMT+0200) Anders Norrbring apparently typed:
This isn't from the actual box, but it's a similar setup (can't seem to screenshot the current one):
/dev/sdc1 1 19582 157292383+ 83 Linux /dev/sdc2 19583 243132 1795665375 f W95 Ext'd (LBA) /dev/sdc5 19583 30027 83891430 83 Linux /dev/sdc6 32638 243132 1690801056 83 Linux
sdc1 is xfs sdc5 and sdc6 are reiserfs
This shows a gap between sdc5 and sdc6. sdc6 would need to be moved down to start where sdc5 stops to be able to "shrink" the extended fully. Shrinking the remainder beyond the end of sdc6 is pointless, but the obstacle you may be facing is that type "f". Type "f" is an abomination created by M$ and enforced by Partition Magic. On an all-Linux system it serves no legitimate purpose. It's probably only there because either Win9x used to be there, or because PM was previously used on that disk. Change the type from "f" to "5" and the tool you're using may stop barfing over what you wish to do. Partition Magic should be able to move sdc6 down to the end of sdc5 and then resize the extended down to the new end of sdc6, but I wouldn't trust it. I'd make multiple backups before trying moving any Linux partition with PM, and particularly with any reiserfs partition I wouldn't even try. -- "It yet remains a problem to be solved in human affairs, whether any free government can be permanent, where the public worship of God, and the support of religion, constitute no part of the policy or duty of the state in any assignable shape." Chief Justice Joseph Story Team OS/2 ** Reg. Linux User #211409 Felix Miata *** http://mrmazda.no-ip.com/ -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
On 2007/09/25 16:36 (GMT+0200) Anders Norrbring apparently typed:
This isn't from the actual box, but it's a similar setup (can't seem to screenshot the current one):
/dev/sdc1 1 19582 157292383+ 83 Linux /dev/sdc2 19583 243132 1795665375 f W95 Ext'd (LBA) /dev/sdc5 19583 30027 83891430 83 Linux /dev/sdc6 32638 243132 1690801056 83 Linux
sdc1 is xfs sdc5 and sdc6 are reiserfs
This shows a gap between sdc5 and sdc6. sdc6 would need to be moved down to start where sdc5 stops to be able to "shrink" the extended fully. Shrinking the remainder beyond the end of sdc6 is pointless, but the obstacle you may be facing is that type "f". Type "f" is an abomination created by M$ and enforced by Partition Magic. On an all-Linux system it serves no legitimate purpose. It's probably only there because either Win9x used to be there, or because PM was previously used on that disk. Change the type from "f" to "5" and the tool you're using may stop barfing over what you wish to do. Partition Magic should be able to move sdc6 down to the end of sdc5 and then resize the extended down to the new end of sdc6, but I wouldn't trust it. I'd make multiple backups before trying moving any Linux partition with PM, and particularly with any reiserfs partition I wouldn't even try.
Actually I'm looking at moving things "up" to free off space in the beginning of the disk. From other replies, I guess PartEd Magic is a better tool to use for Linux... And no, there's never been a Windows close to this raid, it's partitioned from start by SUSE 10.2, but I guess that won't stop me from setting the partition type to "5" before moving and resizing. The biggest catch is the backup, where this machine is located there simply isn't any smooth solution for backups, it'll take forever with the equipment at hand, but I guess it's not my loss if it crashes.. ;) (Not my system). Anders -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
Anders Norrbring wrote:
On 2007/09/25 16:36 (GMT+0200) Anders Norrbring apparently typed stuff about partitioning:
<snip> Hi Anders, Sorry I am coming in late on this but DO NOT use PM as it writes partitions that Winblows understands but Linux doesn't. Have a look for a product called Partition Expert as it writes the partitions in a format readable to both all known OS's, IIRC. I have used the PE 2003 after finding that PM 5 screwed me around to successfully create and resize partitions. Of course do not forget that when you install opensuse you will have the ability to partition the disk but I do not think it can safely resize without losing data. YMMV HIH Hylton -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
On 2007/09/25 16:36 (GMT+0200) Anders Norrbring apparently typed:
This isn't from the actual box, but it's a similar setup (can't seem to screenshot the current one):
/dev/sdc1 1 19582 157292383+ 83 Linux /dev/sdc2 19583 243132 1795665375 f W95 Ext'd (LBA) /dev/sdc5 19583 30027 83891430 83 Linux /dev/sdc6 32638 243132 1690801056 83 Linux
sdc1 is xfs sdc5 and sdc6 are reiserfs
This shows a gap between sdc5 and sdc6. sdc6 would need to be moved down to start where sdc5 stops to be able to "shrink" the extended fully. Shrinking the remainder beyond the end of sdc6 is pointless, but the obstacle you may be facing is that type "f". Type "f" is an abomination created by M$ and enforced by Partition Magic. On an all-Linux system it serves no legitimate purpose. It's probably only there because either Win9x used to be there, or because PM was previously used on that disk. Change the type from "f" to "5" and the tool you're using may stop barfing over what you wish to do. Partition Magic should be able to move sdc6 down to the end of sdc5 and then resize the extended down to the new end of sdc6, but I wouldn't trust it. I'd make multiple backups before trying moving any Linux partition with PM, and particularly with any reiserfs partition I wouldn't even try.
I rigged up a temporary machine with a similar setup, and all operations went on just fine running it in PartEd Magic, so I think I'll give it a try on the "hot" system tomorrow. Anders. -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
On 2007/09/25 16:10 (GMT+0200) Anders Norrbring apparently typed:
Från: Felix Miata [mailto:mrmazda@ij.net]
All competent partitioning tools will if necessary automatically resize the extended to fit the partitions that can legally be there. If there is freespace adjacent to an existing logical, that freespace should be allowed to be selected in the tool to add another as if it was already part of the extended.
Resizing an extended to a smaller size would be an exercise in futility. An extended is actually just a logical construct made up of the individual partitions it contains, plus any intervening freespace that may exist between any of them, plus the MBR partition table entry that points to the first logical partition that the extended "contains".
With that I take it that for example Partition Magic can do this? The built in tools in Linux refuse since the "filesystem doesn't support resize"... I'll make a test on another box first...
I recommend avoiding PM whenever possible, as it likes to prefer windoz methods where standards are unclear. Parted, Gparted & Qparted all ought to be able to do it if sfdisk and cfdisk cannot. Also look at fips. Anyway, there is no filesystem on any extended partition The filesystems are all on individual partitions, just as with primary partitions. Each may or may not be resizable according to the actual filesystem installed. Maybe you should give us your partitioning scheme and plan so we can see what your actual obstacle(s) may be. I stick to one cross-platform tool: http://www.dfsee.com/dfsee/ -- "It yet remains a problem to be solved in human affairs, whether any free government can be permanent, where the public worship of God, and the support of religion, constitute no part of the policy or duty of the state in any assignable shape." Chief Justice Joseph Story Team OS/2 ** Reg. Linux User #211409 Felix Miata *** http://mrmazda.no-ip.com/ -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
Anders Norrbring wrote:
Is there a way to "safely" resize extended partitions? I have a 2TB extended partition that has some reiserfs partitions inside and I'd like to shrink it without data loss.
Sure, full backup etc... But it's not an easy option in this case.
Can some tool like Partition Magic be used, or any other?
I would imagine PartEd would work fine. My favorite incarnation for this is the version found on PartEd Magic found here: http://distrowatch.com/partedmagic As mentioned, though, you will first need to resize the internal partitions, then resize the extended partitions that contain them. -- Jonathan Arnold (mailto:jdarnold@buddydog.org) Linux Brain Dump - Linux Notes, HOWTOs and Tutorials: http://www.linuxbraindump.org Daemon Dancing in the Dark, an Open OS weblog: http://freebsd.amazingdev.com/blog/ -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
Is there a way to "safely" resize extended partitions? I have a 2TB extended partition that has some reiserfs partitions inside and I'd
Anders Norrbring wrote: like
to shrink it without data loss.
Sure, full backup etc... But it's not an easy option in this case.
Can some tool like Partition Magic be used, or any other?
I would imagine PartEd would work fine. My favorite incarnation for this is the version found on PartEd Magic found here:
http://distrowatch.com/partedmagic
As mentioned, though, you will first need to resize the internal partitions, then resize the extended partitions that contain them.
Yep, the contained partitions are already shrunk, so it's the "container" extended partition left.. I'll take a look at PartEd magic, thanks. Anders -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
Is there a way to "safely" resize extended partitions? I have a 2TB extended partition that has some reiserfs partitions inside and I'd
Anders Norrbring wrote: like
to shrink it without data loss.
Sure, full backup etc... But it's not an easy option in this case.
Can some tool like Partition Magic be used, or any other?
I would imagine PartEd would work fine. My favorite incarnation for this is the version found on PartEd Magic found here:
http://distrowatch.com/partedmagic
As mentioned, though, you will first need to resize the internal partitions, then resize the extended partitions that contain them.
I just thought I'd let you know that PartEd Magic worked perfect! It took almost 22 hours, but it did get the job done without a single error. Thanks for the tip! Anders. -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
On 2007/09/29 09:01 (GMT-0400) Anders Norrbring apparently typed:
As mentioned, though, you will first need to resize the internal partitions, then resize the extended partitions that contain them.
I just thought I'd let you know that PartEd Magic worked perfect! It took almost 22 hours, but it did get the job done without a single error.
For the archives, how about sharing the resulting output from fdisk -l? -- "It yet remains a problem to be solved in human affairs, whether any free government can be permanent, where the public worship of God, and the support of religion, constitute no part of the policy or duty of the state in any assignable shape." Chief Justice Joseph Story Team OS/2 ** Reg. Linux User #211409 Felix Miata *** http://mrmazda.no-ip.com/ -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
On 2007/09/29 09:01 (GMT-0400) Anders Norrbring apparently typed:
As mentioned, though, you will first need to resize the internal partitions, then resize the extended partitions that contain them.
I just thought I'd let you know that PartEd Magic worked perfect! It took almost 22 hours, but it did get the job done without a single error.
For the archives, how about sharing the resulting output from fdisk -l?
Absolutely.. ;) Here it is: Disk /dev/sda: 1999.8 GB, 1999829467136 bytes 255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 243132 cylinders Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System /dev/sda1 * 1 3824 30716248+ 83 Linux /dev/sda2 3825 4206 3068415 82 Linux swap / Solaris /dev/sda3 4207 28531 195390562+ 83 Linux /dev/sda4 28532 243132 1723782532+ f W95 Ext'd (LBA) /dev/sda5 28533 38976 83891430 83 Linux /dev/sda6 38977 243132 1639883038+ 83 Linux -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
Anders Norrbring wrote:
Is there a way to "safely" resize extended partitions? I have a 2TB extended partition that has some reiserfs partitions inside and I'd
to shrink it without data loss.
Sure, full backup etc... But it's not an easy option in this case.
Can some tool like Partition Magic be used, or any other? I would imagine PartEd would work fine. My favorite incarnation for
Anders Norrbring wrote: like this is the version found on PartEd Magic found here:
http://distrowatch.com/partedmagic
As mentioned, though, you will first need to resize the internal partitions, then resize the extended partitions that contain them.
I just thought I'd let you know that PartEd Magic worked perfect! It took almost 22 hours, but it did get the job done without a single error.
Holy moly, 22 hours!!! A more patient man than I, Gunga Din, but I'm glad to hear it worked. -- Jonathan Arnold (mailto:jdarnold@buddydog.org) Linux Brain Dump - Linux Notes, HOWTOs and Tutorials: http://www.linuxbraindump.org Daemon Dancing in the Dark, an Open OS weblog: http://freebsd.amazingdev.com/blog/ -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
Anders Norrbring wrote:
Is there a way to "safely" resize extended partitions? I have a 2TB extended partition that has some reiserfs partitions inside and I'd like to shrink it without data loss.
Just have a look at [1], this is exactly what you want, right? Everything else is probably just a frontend that uses the same commands. I think that Yast can do this, too. At least I recall shrinking a ReiserFS back when I installed Suse 9.3. Regards nordi [1] http://www.namesys.com/shrink_reiserfs.html -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
Is there a way to "safely" resize extended partitions? I have a 2TB extended partition that has some reiserfs partitions inside and I'd
Anders Norrbring wrote: like
to shrink it without data loss.
Just have a look at [1], this is exactly what you want, right? Everything else is probably just a frontend that uses the same commands. I think that Yast can do this, too. At least I recall shrinking a ReiserFS back when I installed Suse 9.3.
Regards nordi
The involved partitions are already shrunk, it's just the continer extended partition left. Anders -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
participants (6)
-
Anders Norrbring -
Felix Miata -
Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC) -
Jan Engelhardt -
Jonathan Arnold -
nordi