Removing Windows Partition

[MidnightCowboy]

This is now the second time I've visited this but I'm really still as confused as before. My system is dual booted with Ubuntu 9.04 64 bit (first in boot menu) and Vista Ultimate 64. I want to delete the Vista partition and expand the Ubuntu to fill the whole drive. I tried posting on the Ubuntu forum, got 4 different versions of what to do but was told I cannot do this without the CD (which I don't have) as "you can't resize a partition which is already mounted without it".

This is my partition editor readout:

Unallocated - 1.00 MIB
dev/sda1 - ntfs - 78.12 GIB
Unallocated - 2.39 MIB
dev/sda2 - ext3 - 69.85 GIB
dev/sda3 - Linux-swap - 1.07 GIB

According to how I read the help file deleting the Vista partition is as simple as "system" - "admin" - "partition editor" (highlight ntfs) -"partition" - "delete"..... but I want to make sure I'm getting this right and if indeed I can then extend Ubuntu without the install CD.

I also need to know how to remove the Vista entry from my boot menu, and I'm also concerned about possible issues with reading data if the remaining partition numbers change?

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated

[wdhpr]

This is my partition editor readout:

Unallocated - 1.00 MIB
dev/sda1 - ntfs - 78.12 GIB
Unallocated - 2.39 MIB
dev/sda2 - ext3 - 69.85 GIB
dev/sda3 - Linux-swap - 1.07 GIB

According to how I read the help file deleting the Vista partition is as simple as "system" - "admin" - "partition editor" (highlight ntfs) -"partition" - "delete"..... but I want to make sure I'm getting this right and if indeed I can then extend Ubuntu without the install CD.

I also need to know how to remove the Vista entry from my boot menu, and I'm also concerned about possible issues with reading data if the remaining partition numbers change?

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated
__________________
Knows nothing and cares even less

Hi midnightcowboy

This indeed is a question.
It appears you want to get rid of windows and use that space for you ubuntu OS.
I would think you could download g-parted. Burn it to a cd and then boot from that. I have used this utility for creating a partition and it worked fine. I have never used g-parted for deleting a partition and then reclaiming that space. The problem is once this is done, how it would effect your mbr or grub loader. This is why I would think you would need your ubuntu cd. With the cd you will have a way to boot back to ubuntu and reinstall/repair grub. I would not proceed without a ubuntu cd.

I understand you are limited on your ability to download. Possibly it may be better to order a cd and hold off on the partition work until you have a safety net.

Cheers
Wdhpr

MC,

I'm with wphdr on this one, you really need to have a copy of the 64 bit CD before you make the partition changes. Trouble is, ordering via the official site they quote delivery times of 6 to 10 weeks!

As to the menu, that's the easy part. Again though at the moment I'd fix it to work the way you want it to rather than delete the Vista entry. If you want to do this then open a Terminal window and enter the following commands (they should be right this time):

cd /boot/grub

sudo cp menu.lst menu.lst.bak

sudo gedit menu.lst

You should now see the file menu.lst in the default Gnome editor. Look for the entry timeout and change it to say 5 seconds. It should then look something like this:

## timeout sec
# Set a timeout, in SEC seconds, before automatically booting the default entry
# (normally the first entry defined).
timeout 5

Look for the entry hiddenmenu and enable it. It should then look something like this:

## hiddenmenu
# Hides the menu by default (press ESC to see the menu)
hiddenmenu

Save the changes that you have made.

The next time you boot the PC for 5 seconds you'll see the message 'Press ESC to display the menu.' Pressing ESC will display the Grub menu otherwise after 5 seconds the PC will boot from the default Linux partition.

This approach will leave the Vista option intact and usable should you need it until you get the Ubuntu CD and sort your partition issue out.

Rik

[MidnightCowboy]

Thanks both. I think it's best to wait until 9.10 goes final and then go from there. A complete fresh install at that point won't hurt anything either as anything I might have misplaced with my Linux experiments will simply get wiped.

[dre]

Perhaps try and install Windows XP to a other partition or other HDD, then with Paragon delete the vista partition and create a ext3 file system. Then merge the partition with your other current ext3 file system with Paragon. Then boot into XP and correct the boot manager with Easybcd...

I'm not saying it will work but maybe try...

Image your HDD to a other HDD before doing anything if you can.

[MidnightCowboy]

Thanks dre for your contribution too but I think I'm gonna wait for 9.10 and do a fresh install.

Off topic but what happened to the Reds last night? Two down to Fiorentina was a terrible display. Lucas (the Brazilian LOL) for one is a player I would not have even kept let alone played.

[dre]

Originally Posted by MidnightCowboy

Thanks dre for your contribution too but I think I'm gonna wait for 9.10 and do a fresh install.

Off topic but what happened to the Reds last night? Two down to Fiorentina was a terrible display. Lucas (the Brazilian LOL) for one is a player I would not have even kept let alone played.

Just scrap Windows all and all you say

Ya MC, it was a pathetic performance from LFC's side. There was no midfield, we got spread on the wing. Yes don't get me started on Lucas, i agree 100 % with you there. We needed Marcharano to win the ball back in our half. He was missed. Take nothing from the Fiorentina, they out played LFC by far. Set pieces, corners, terrible from LFC. That was LFC on their worst i've seen in a while. We need Alberto Aquilani to get fit. Hopefully Lucus will be benched...But with Rafa you never know...

[MidnightCowboy]

Originally Posted by dre

...But with Rafa you never know...

I know that Rafa and Fergie often share a bottle of wine after a game but I think this time Rafa had his before the kick-off!

[dre]

Originally Posted by MidnightCowboy

I know that Rafa and Fergie often share a bottle of wine after a game but I think this time Rafa had his before the kick-off!

No doubt!