Ubuntu

Problems to hide partition - Gparted

Asked by Luciano Daher

Hi everybody,

First, I have installed my Ubuntu into a SATA disk with 120GB using the following partition settings:

sda1: /boot ext3 200MB;
sda2: swap - 256MB;
sda3: /home ext3 19GB
sda4: / ext3 37GB

Therefore, I have left the other half of available space in the HD.

I was wondering to install Windows XP into this available space, but, as I'm doing the installation via USB and I already have 4 partitions created (mentioned above), when I try to create another partition, using the other half of the disk, of course, the windows installation guide doesn't allow me.

So, what I did so far was to delete the swap partition and create a file using "dd" command in the root partition, making it my new swap device with 2GB of space. Unfortunately, even removing the swap partition, the windows installation guide still complain that it won't allow another partition to be created.

To solve this problem, I had an idea to use Gparted to hide all the Ubuntu partitions, but, even using the Gparted Live CD, when I click over the "Hidden" checkbox inside the "Manage Flags" nothing happens.

Is there another way to do it and whether this procedure is going to work or not?

Thanks in advanced.

Best regards,

Luciano Daher.

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midnightflash
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midnightflash (midnightflash) said : 		#1

The prolem seems to be that you created all partitions as "primary" ones. There cannot be more than 4 primary ones. So the rest of the HDD cannot be used.

You have to change one to be a logical and build the other ones within this.

As you have done like it is... a problematic job.

From within GParted-Live-CD:
You could delete the sda2 (swap), move sda3 as far as possible to the beginning of free space and then sda4 to the beginning of free space. then build a new logical on the rest of the hdd. Within this logical make a NTFS one.

Now you can look if Windows is possible to find it... it should.

Beware that Windows will rewrite the bootblock so Linux (from a Live-CD) will have to make a new one after all.

Much fun
mid

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Best midnightflash (midnightflash) said : 		#2

I forgot... of course you should also create a swap within the logical also.

After all... make a backup of your home partition, format the HDD, install Windows at first an then Ubuntu might be easier an more safe.

But it's up to you...

Greetings
mid

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Luciano Daher (luciano-daher) said : 		#3

Thanks Mid!!!

I'm not sure which option I should choice, but, as you said, it's up to me. Other question, why the "Hidden" option doesn't work when I use Gparted? I tried everything I could, from boot up with the Ubuntu 9.04 installation midia to use the Gparted CD Live. However, I don't know whether hidden the partition should work or not.

When you said above about delete the swap partition using Gparted Live CD, I've already done this procedure, but, I didn't create any logical device. I'm not worry about the windows installation guide doesn't find the right partition because it does.

I'm only concern about the Gparted "hidden" feature doesn't work.

Thanks again.

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midnightflash (midnightflash) said : 		#4

It should indeed work to hide one or even more... Did it several times... (and also went wrong some times.)
Would have to have a look at the machine itself to know what's going wrong though.

Greetings
mid

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Luciano Daher (luciano-daher) said : 		#5

Thanks,

I'll take your second advise to resolve this issue, in other words, I'll back-up my "/home" partition, remove all partitions, begin the XP installation from MBR, and then I'll install Ubuntu, should be more safety.

The another suggestion you gave me that I'll take for sure is to create a logical partition for both OS (XP and Ubuntu).

Many thanks, Mid!!!

Luciano Daher.

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Luciano Daher (luciano-daher) said : 		#6

Thanks midnightflash, that solved my question.

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midnightflash (midnightflash) said : 		#7

But be aware... one partition must be a primary one (f.e. /boot/ or the C:).
And that one has to be so called "boot" or "active" (win). That is where the Bios starts to search for the MBR.