Freeware Partitioning Software for Vista?

[Xtreme2damax]

I'm looking for a good Freeware Partitioning Software for Vista Similar to Partition Magic that can Edit, Add, Delete, Merge Partitions Within Windows Vista.

I need to Add a Linux Partition on my Hard Drive to install Ubuntu, but I already have Vista installed and Partition Magic doesn't work on Windows Vista

It would be great if it supports Adding, Deleting, Merging, Shrinking, Expanding of Various Partition formats such as ext2, ext3, ReiserFS, NTFS, FAT32, FAT and others.

I want to use an app that has a familiar Windows interface so I don't screw anything up in the process (Which is Why I am reluctant to try G-Parted Live CD).

Thanks if anyone can let me know if there is a Freeware Partitioning Software that can do this.

[Hard core Rikki]

I thought you had it figured out with Feisty64 already. No prob.

Acronis Disk Director Suite 10.0 's Partition Expert would be recommended, BUT it is NOT free.

Also notable are Paragon Partition Manager.


btw, Partition Magic could suffice if you have it. You could just make rescue floppies and use those to leave some unpartitioned space Ubuntu can grab itself during installation.


As you see, apart from Parted, there isnt really much free choice. There are 2 versions with different interfaces, Gparted and QTparted (you might feel more comfy with QTparted, but that's hardly a requirement for system maintainance).

[Ninjis]

You should be able to just install Ubuntu. A coworker and myself have both done this with our laptops and Ubuntu recognized our Windows installations and resized them accordingly to make room for Ubuntu. We are running Vista so it should work just as well in your case.

[Borisz]

Start Menu -> Control Panel -> Administrative tools -> Computer Management. Theres an excellent partition manager there. It can only create NTFS and FAT32, but once you have a spare partition, you should be able to format in ext3 or whatever using your Ubuntu disc (I'm assuming this latter because I never used linux but if an OS installer cant do a basic task like formatting a hd before install, then you really shouldnt bother.).

[Kirby]

GParted is as simple as you can get. BTW, you can preview the changes before you apply them

embrace the Tux!!!

[Xtreme2damax]

Thanks, I guess I'll give G-Parted a try or Make the partition from within Vista if necessary.

[Xtreme2damax]

Sorry to doublepost, but I finally got the partitions made and Ubuntu installed.

I decided after going through the whole Ubuntu install with grub that now I just want to revert back to Vista due to my wireless not working in Ubuntu which means I can not connect to the internet.

Now since I installed Ubuntu, vista uses The Grub Bootloader to boot now. Since Vista is different than XP (I don't think it uses the MBR to boot) and uses the Vista Bootloader I am unsure how to delete my Ubuntu and Ubuntu partition without screwing over my Vista install.

I know in XP all I had to do was pop in the XP disc or Recovery DVD and either do a fixmbr or something else, but the Vista disc doesn't have a recovery console, but rather a recovery system that works off of your last system restore point that I can not obviously use since I deleted all of my restore points and have not made a backup as of yet.

So how would I go about Deleting Ubuntu and the Ubuntu Partition without screwing up my Vista install since Vista is now using the Grub Bootloader to Boot?

Thanks if anyone can help.

[Shu-chan]

Hi have you tried the program "wpa_supplicant" for your wireless?
You'll also need "firmware cutter". This should work with almost every wireless card(or builtin). As for the bootloader, you'll probably have to set your windows partition as active partition and rewrite your mbr.

[a_en]

try this "easybcd"

[Hard core Rikki]

Originally Posted by Xtreme2damax

I decided after going through the whole Ubuntu install with grub that now I just want to revert back to Vista due to my wireless not working in Ubuntu which means I can not connect to the internet.

I guess I'm the only one once again, for now.

You can safely wipe the ubuntu partition. NO data will be lost elsewhere, even if you cant temprorarilly access it.

If instead of GRUB you want Vista's bootloader to be in charge, load up the Vista installation and install EasyBCD. Go to “Manage Bootloader”, then “Reinstall the Vista Bootloader”, an GRUB is overwritten. You can then configure the Vista bootloader to add Linux to the boot menu.

[Xtreme2damax]

Thanks HCR and a_en.

I really did want to use Ubuntu, but I cannot connect to the internet.

It detects my router fine though and my wireless card, but everytime I try and connect to the router I am unable to connect to it.

And no I'm not using any kind of encryption on my network.

Btw does anyone have any links for the utilities/software "wpa_supplicant" and "Firmware Cutter" mentioned by Shu-Chan? After I can download these and try it again, I'll make the decision whether to delete Ubuntu off of my system.

[Hard core Rikki]

Originally Posted by Xtreme2damax

Thanks HCR and a_en.

I really did want to use Ubuntu, but I cannot connect to the internet.

It detects my router fine though and my wireless card, but everytime I try and connect to the router I am unable to connect to it.

And no I'm not using any kind of encryption on my network.

Btw does anyone have any links for the utilities/software "wpa_supplicant" and "Firmware Cutter" mentioned by Shu-Chan? After I can download these and try it again, I'll make the decision whether to delete Ubuntu off of my system.

Is the router up at all here? Encryption use doesnt matter anyway.

wpa_supplicant
Linux WPA Supplicant (IEEE 802.1X, WPA, WPA2, RSN, IEEE 802.11i)


Didja try ndiswrapper ? last i recall, it was still better than the firmware cutter This is a list of ndis-supported cards

Also, if you could name those networking devices of yours, it'd help us assisting you in making the penguin connect

[Xtreme2damax]

My wireless card is a built in Ralink/Gemtek Wireless USB 802.11 b/g adapter. It has an antenna that screws into the back of my PC.

My PC is an HP s7700n Slimline PC.

My router is a Belkin F5D7231-4 Router and shows up on the network as a belkin54g.

Strangely I've never had a problem using this router and built in Wireless network card with Windows XP, but I am having all sorts of problems using them with Vista and Ubuntu.

I have random disconnection issues in Vista with it requiring the router to be unplugged and plugged back in or a reboot, With Ubuntu it just does not want to connect or stay connected to my router.

[Hard core Rikki]

Originally Posted by Xtreme2damax

My wireless card is a built in Ralink/Gemtek Wireless USB 802.11 b/g adapter. It has an antenna that screws into the back of my PC.
My PC is an HP s7700n Slimline PC.

My router is a Belkin F5D7231-4 Router and shows up on the network as a belkin54g.

I have random disconnection issues in Vista with it requiring the router to be unplugged and plugged back in or a reboot, With Ubuntu it just does not want to connect or stay connected to my router.

THIS seems to be the most relevant ubuntu thread on this issue. Didnt browse through it all, kinda lengthy, so I'll put a link to that thread so anyone else can see if they could help.

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