KNOPPIX Partitioning Question (qtparted)

[Pi rules]

I downloaded the KNOPPIX LiveCD, and I just wanted to make sure that it will be able to do what I would like, which is shrinking my XP 80 GB NTFS partition to 60 GB, and partitioning 10 GB to FAT32, and leaving the other 10 unpartitioned for Ubuntu. I would like a 10 GB FAT32 partition to be able to share files between XP and SUSE (and later Ubuntu).

Is this feasible?

PS: I have some more dumb questions because I'm still inexperienced with Linux...I tried the LiveCD, and found that my wireless mouse doesn't work, but my wireless keyboard does, would this affect my ability to use qtparted, becuase I'm pretty sure it's GUI based? Also, when choosing what to do after booting from the CD, should I type qtparted, or boot from the CD and run it?

[kage]

Yes. There is a graphical partitioning tool on the knoppix disk called QTParted. Run it as root (open a terminal, type 'su', hit enter, then type 'qtparted' and hit enter) so you'll be able to modify partition structures. (note that you won't be able to use qtparted without a mouse)

For the mouse problem, you could use the console program 'parted', though if you are new to linux I wouldn't recommend that... What kind of wireless mouse is it? Could you use a wired mouse temporarily with the live cd?

For your last question, see above on running qtparted.

-kage

[Pi rules]

I'll guess I'll have try to find a wired mouse. I'll get back to you when I try it, although it may not be today, I have to finish up some homework first. Thanks.:wave:
Edit: I just tried KNOPPIX again with my wireless mouse and it worked this time. It's just like when I installed SUSE and the graphics didn't work, I restarted and they worked fine.:dizzy:

[kage]

Awesome. Most wireless mice have a button you can press on them to 'find' the base connector, I'm guessing something like that was off (not literally off, just not configured right) the first time you tried it.

[Pi rules]

I do have one more question...When I resized (not applied yet) the NTFS partition, I noticed that it included the hidden approx. 7.53 MB hidden partition. Is there any way to avoid doing that, or doesn't it matter? About the mouse: I had just used it in Windows, then restarted, and the receiver was blinking, indicating that it was receiving a signal from the mouse.

Edit: I just noticed that under Used, after resizing (not applying), it shows my NTFS partition as N/A, while I used approx. 40 GB. I thought that this didn't erase data (I did backup the important files, but would rather not lose everything on it). I also noticed that when I resized it, it didn't show anything under the Free Space box (just gray).

Edit 2: I just noticed this in Konsole:
No Implementation: Support for opening ntfs file systems is not implemented yet.
No Implementation: Support for opening ntfs file systems is not implemented yet.
No Implementation: Support for opening reiserfs file systems is not implemented yet.
No Implementation: Support for opening ntfs file systems is not implemented yet.
No Implementation: Support for opening ntfs file systems is not implemented yet.
No Implementation: Support for opening reiserfs file systems is not implemented yet.
No Implementation: Support for opening ntfs file systems is not implemented yet.

I thought ntfsresize was integrated into qtparted. Does this mean it isn't safe to resize the NTFS partition?

[kage]

NTFS partitions are still less then stable under linux :-/. It might work, but definitely be sure to have any important files backed up.

[Pi rules]

Thanks! I'll just do it tomorrow, but I don't think I have any important files on that hard drive.

I don't really know why Microsoft can't release NTFS details...It would make life a lot easier.

[kage]

Aye, it would make life easier, but then more people might use linux (or at least explore it as an alternative). We can't have that now :dizzy:

[Pi rules]

I'm trying to get some of my friends started with Linux (although I have to explain what Linux is first to some of them) ;). I ordered several Ubuntu CDs to give to them to try out, and hopefully they will like it. Linux does seem to be becoming more popular.:eek:

However, I must admit that I'm not really looking at Linux as a replacement for Windows, I'm just curious about computers and looking to expand my knowledge.

[Pi rules]

Just an update: I shrank my 80 GB (actual 74) partition to 55 GB, which took over 1 hour and 30 minutes for some reason, then found that it couldn't partition that free space for some reason :dizzy: , but I restarted and went into XP and used Disk Management to partition 10 GB of that free space to FAT32, and I'll use the other 10 GB for Ubuntu when the CDs arrive. :) I copied my important documents into the folder, and I assume it will work with Linux now.

Thanks for your help! :wave:

PS: For some reason now, I'm periodically losing my internet connection (DSL), but I don't get a message that a LAN cable is unplugged? It's probably only temporary, though.

Edit: I forgot (at first) to set the mount point, but now I did and everything (except my internet connection in XP) works fine now. Thanks!

[Pi rules]

I do have one final (I hope) question. I wasn't getting full w/r access to the partition, so I opened Konsole and typed su, then pressed enter and typed my password, and then I typed Konqueror to open it in superuser mode. I then navigated to the partition, right-clicked it then clicked Properties, and went to the Permission tab. I changed everything to "Can View and Modify Content", checked the box to apply the changes to all subfolders/files, and clicked OK.

Do you know what I did wrong, or an alternate way to try?

[DaveQB]

Which partition was this ?? The FAT32 ???

Check you /etc/fstab file for whats set on that partition. Probably an ro in the options for it, meaning Read-Only. If this is a liveCD then dont bother editing the fstab as it will revert next boot.

[Pi rules]

It is the FAT32 partition.

I checked and it is Read-only, so I tried to change it (in SU mode), but the change didn't work, then it said that I didn't have sufficient privilages.

It is not a LiveCD either.

Edit: Here's what it says under FStab:
/dev/hdb2 /shared vfat defaults 0 0 I'm going to try changing it after school to /dev/hdb2 /shared vfat rw,auto,exec 0 0 Is that right?

[Pi rules]

I edited /etc/fstab (opened Konsole and typed):
sudo kWrite /etc/fstab then changed the entry to:
/dev/hdb2 /shared vfat rw,users,exec,auto 0 0
And, it worked!

Just in case anybody has a question about /etc/fstab, look here (http://www.tuxfiles.org/linuxhelp/fstab.html).

Thanks to everyone who helped! :wave: