Can i shrink the SWAP partition?

[dvhenry]

This can really help with more advanced questions....
But we know now that there exists a 19GB SWAP before the ROOT and HOME partitions - I think that's really enough to give advice to the op's question  Wink

Do we know if there is another Os on the machine?
Do we know if one or more of the partitions is a logical, if so where is the extended, are they all primaries?
Do we know that the poster has the details he has given correct? It can happen that they get confused, or make an error in assessing, perhaps relying on their memory which can be flawed.

[rubentje1991]

This can really help with more advanced questions....
But we know now that there exists a 19GB SWAP before the ROOT and HOME partitions - I think that's really enough to give advice to the op's question  Wink

Do we know if there is another Os on the machine?
Do we know if one or more of the partitions is a logical, if so where is the extended, are they all primaries?
Do we know that the poster has the details he has given correct? I can happen that they get confused.

1. There's no other OS... all partitions are summed up on that spare PC
2. Don't know - doesn't matter at all for resizing; for creating new partitions, it does matter, but that's already noticed and handled by Just18
3. Spare PC and installed PCLinuxOS... the op didn't show any doubt about the given information - of course it can always be wrong (happens to everyone sometimes); but I think we do know - and can be pretty sure - it's 19GB - and the question was if it can be resized or not; pretty clear in my opinion (even if it's e.g. 9 GB or 90GB) 

If Dreamofgilgamesh wanted to be guided through adding partition etc.... we'd probably have asked the disk layout via "fdisk -l" (or another way: screenshot / ....)
=> and everyone can ask such information at that moment; that's why we're here together.
Nobody gives always the perfect advice (and my name isn't nobody....... yes, I know... stupid humour  ) - and so we should help each other to support the people with questions / problems.
So, thanks for your advice, dvhenry - and if you're still not sure that the op won't have any problems following our suggestions.... then ask for the fdisk -l thing and maybe a bunch of other things;
=> I'm not stopping you, and it's even better when all people are satisfied with the advice and can trust it; and each one can jump in a thread and try to give extra advice 

I think that the question of Dreamofgilgamesh is answered... and if the op isn't satisfied with it / or have more doubts / questions, it's possible they will be asked - and with all other forum members, we try to answer them in the best possible way 

[dvhenry]

If I had to give a reply with the info given here the only reply I could give is,
If there are now problems leave it as it is...Or.
If there are unexplained performance problems, resize /swap to make it an appropriate size for the RAM and leave the remaining space unpartitioned.

[dvhenry]

I think that the question of Dreamofgilgamesh is answered...

I think you are correct, I think It was answered to his satisfaction before my posts, I'll butt out now!

[rubentje1991]

If I had to give a reply with the info given here the only reply I could give is,
If there are now problems leave it as it is...Or.
If there are unexplained performance problems, resize /swap to make it an appropriate size for the RAM and leave the remaining space unpartitioned.

That's the current answer (maybe just leave it "as is")..... and stated very clear now by you too  
However, in my opinion it's still possible to resize (make smaller), but it has no purpose for Dreamofgilgamesh as far as we know => and if there's a purpose for the (possible) free room, then there are now even several "warnings" given by Just18, you and others  

Have a nice day!

[dvhenry]

I'll butt out now!

Well, I'm back, for the moment anyway!

However, in my opinion it's still possible to resize (make smaller), but it has no purpose for Dreamofgilgamesh as far as we know => and if there's a purpose for the (possible) free room, then there are now even several "warnings" given by Just18, you and others  Wink

I agree, It is certainly possible, and if partitions are moved and resized instead of creating a new partition in the free space the current "warnings" are irreverent, (of course there is a separate set of "warnings" for that).

But ,as you have stated Dreamofgilgamesh has not asked how to use the space.

I had assumed that being a 'spare' machine it would be old and likely have a small HD. in which case making best use of all space would be a priority.

Edit: perhaps it is a priority?

Oh thank you!  So, presumably i can then enlarge my "HOME" partition to take of the saved space?

[Just17]

Summary (as I recall it):

Can I reduce my Swap and use the space in my /home partition?

Yes .... what needs to be done depends on partition layout.

Partitions are  Swap, /, /home

This means a lot of work .....  reduce Swap, move /, and then increase /home .....  takes time and there is always the danger of something going wrong.

What about creating another partition in the saved space from Swap?

This would mean having to edit the boot stanzas to take account of the new partition, at minimum.

If that is wanted, then the structure of the partition table would need to be examined to see what else might need to be done ......  it may be necessary to change partitions from Primary to Logical etc.

OK ... apparently not worth the bother .....  leave the working system as is .... 

You mean if it ain't broke don't fix it!  Sage advice, and advice i intend to take. 

***

Should a new partition be desired then the problems that arise from that can be addressed at the time.

regards