Debian "Resizing partition": Does it take this long?

[Epic B]

I am trying to install Debian on my computer. I am running the installer from a USB. I made a partition for it that I'm afraid may wipe Windows, but also, it's stuck on the "resizing partition" part, and I don't know what to do. Has it frozen or does it usually take this long? And I got to the command line, an now I'm doomed. What now? Okay, got back the GUI, but it's still stuck there. Will Windows be wiped? Can I safely hard shut down the computer? Oh wait, it gave me an error and it aborted. Which partitioning method should I use if I don't want to wipe Windows?

Okay, I hard shut down my computer in the installer menu and Windows is booting. CHKDSK is running. Hopefully everything is fine and Windows is okay. Maybe I'll just try the EXE installer from windows, or the Win32 loader.

 

[Submerged]

You need to reduce the size of the Windows partition before installing another OS.

For this, you need to go to the Partitioning Manager or whatever it is called and change the partition that Windows is using to a lesser number that it is not using. For example, you have a 250GB partition that is the Windows system. If Windows is only using 100 GB of that partition, then you can resize that partition up to 150 GB less (or so the theory goes). However you will often have to allow some leeway for future programs. Once you have resize the partition (example: Windows now has 150 GB instead of 250GB) you now have 100GB of free space on the hard drive.

Then you can install Debian on the free space on the Hard Drive. It should be apparent on Gparted (the partitioning software) that there is 100GB free space (for example). Install it in that.

That way, it allows you to dual boot with either Windows or Debian.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Personally, I'd use a tool like Acronis to image my Windows partition onto an external disk, then blow the partitions away on the internal disk, create new partitions, then image the Windows partition back onto the newly allocated reduced space.

You need to consider the value of data and configuration time that you're trying to preserve by not just reformatting the drive. Then consider that you're using free unwarranted tools to protect that data, rather than spending a small amount of cash on a commercial utility that is designed for the specific task that you're trying to accomplish.

It never ceases to amaze me how people play fast and loose with their data.

 

[Submerged]

GParted?

That's a very well known Open Source software that has been in use for years. Its not a case of it being free and rubbish.

 

[BobK]

GParted?

That's a very well known Open Source software that has been in use for years. Its not a case of it being free and rubbish.

^^This.

You need to consider the value of data and configuration time that you're trying to preserve by not just reformatting the drive. Then consider that you're using free unwarranted tools to protect that data, rather than spending a small amount of cash on a commercial utility that is designed for the specific task that you're trying to accomplish.

Normally you give very good advice but in this case I think you're mistaken. I've used parted myself and it's a fine tool for this job. "Free" does not imply "crap"; there are some excellent Open Software packages out there and I feel that parted would be on that list.

As for the "unwarranted", just what warranty does Acronis' products come with?

 

[GilesGuthrie]

That's a fair call, I admit. However, I think my main concern with the plan of resizing the disks is the apparent lack of a backup strategy. I don't mind extending disks, and frequently do it at work, but shrinking them is always more of a concern.

Imaging the source disk before making changes to the partition table de-risks the process considerably.