Re: OS and HD format advice

[Rafael Skodlar <raffi@linwin.com>]

It's possible to repartition NTFS disk without reinstalling the OS. You
need to defragment it first then use one or the other tool for that
purpose, Fips (OSS I believe) or Partition Magic. After that you can do
whatever you want. I do like your idea of a second disk drive. It's much
easier and safer to do it that way.

I checked /lib/modules/2.4.20-8/kernel/fs/ under RH9.0 and do not see
ntfs so the kernel seem not to have a default driver for it. That's
probably to prevent RH to be blamed for possible problems or loss of
data.

After installation you need to compile the kernel in order to interact
with NTFS.

On Tue, May 27, 2003 at 10:39:55AM -0400, Lee Maschmeyer wrote:
> Hi all,
> 
> Hmm. Is it possible to repartition an NTFS disk? I came to the
> conclusion I'd have to remove Windows XP, reset partitions and install
> it again; I opted for a second disk instead. I don't have half the space
> Angus does, though.
> 
> I think Rafael is mistaken on one point: On my computer (Red Hat 8) it
> recognizes the NTFS file system but cannot read files on it as far as I
> can tell; at least not in kernel 2.4.20-8. Maybe some extra package...
> 
> If you know how to burn ISO images, you might do well to download Red
> Hat 9. 7.x is getting pretty old, though going to 9 gives you only four
> months(!) extra update support. You can learn how to burn these if you
> have an advanced CD writing program and your hardware doesn't get in the
> way (mine did; I had to temporarily uninstall my SCSI driver, for
> example).
> 
> I don't have the complicated partition structure Rafael suggested, but
> as far as I can tell there's no way to upgrade from one version of Red
> Hat to another without using the complete CD set. There is an upgrade
> option in the install program which I haven't used, but presumably you
> need all three Cd's to use it. Does this eliminate the benefit of all
> those partitions?
> 
> Red Hat 8 has Speakup as part of the base system so you can give Speakup
> options to the install program; 7.x and 9 don't so you'll have to
> either use the serial port (called ttyS0 instead of COM1 in Linux) or
> build/download some boot diskettes - easier for speech than
> Braille. You're lucky. I'm jealous! <Grin>
> 
> Hope this helps but doubt that it does,
> 
> Lee

-- 
Rafael