Well, you don't need to use a 3rd disk partition tool any longer. Windows 7 allows you to shrink and grow partitions at will including on the fly. The one partition you can immediately clear off is the one containing the install media. Back up this to a DVD and you have new free space. I know you asked in the past, and I still stand by suggestion of making use to a virtual solution. Also be forewarned that if you do make major changes to partitions you may void the warranty. So, carve out a 50 / 60 GB virtual space and have at it. JMHO Stephen Dawes -----Original Message----- From: speakup-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:speakup-bounces at braille.uwo.ca] On Behalf Of acollins at icsmail.net Sent: 2011 November 23 11:23 AM To: Speakup is a screen review system for Linux. Subject: Re: making room for linux Hi Chuck. You should look at the drive partitions, and figure out which of them are used for the Windows os, and which are user data space. Then if necessary, you can use partition magic or some other partition management software to split one of the partitions if necessary. You should defragment the partition before you use partition magic or any other partition management software that can handle ntfs partitions. After you've freed up the disk space you require, you can install the linux distro of your choice on it, and claim whatever free data space or partition you want for your home partition. You will of course need to inform your favorite Linux boot loader of how to boot your windows partition afterwards. Hope this helps. Gene >My new laptop came with Windows 7 installed on it, and I want to create >space on the HD to install Linux. I was expecting Windows to be in >a single partition, but I find it is spread over three partitions, >occupying the entire 500 GB disk. > >Any tips about how to handle this twist would be appreciated. I might >never use windows, but others might, if I can preserve it. > >-- >Chuck in Hudson. >Web address: www.hallenbeck.ftml.net, Messenger JID: chuckh1 at jabber.org >_______________________________________________ >Speakup mailing list >Speakup at braille.uwo.ca >http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup _______________________________________________ Speakup mailing list Speakup at braille.uwo.ca http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup NOTICE - This communication is intended ONLY for the use of the person or entity named above and may contain information that is confidential or legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient named above or a person responsible for delivering messages or communications to the intended recipient, YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that any use, distribution, or copying of this communication or any of the information contained in it is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by telephone and then destroy or delete this communication, or return it to us by mail if requested by us. The City of Calgary thanks you for your attention and co-operation.