resizing a vista partition to install PCLOS

[nixer]

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/using-gparted-to-resize-your-windows-vista-partition/

I have used this link as a guide to (successfully) resize Vista and Win 7 partitions for friends on at least 4 occasions.  I have never had to insert the install disk to "repair" the partition.  I have been very impressed with gparted's ability to do resize these partitions without "repairing".  After the resizing and upon the next boot it took a few minutes to repair the index structure only, but it booted fine.

I don't know if it matters, but in each case, I used the windows disk resize function to shrink the partition as much as it could before I used gparted.

I hope you have good luck with this.  Failure could be a nightmare.  Trying this on your own computer is scary enough but one belonging to a local business... scary.  But you really didn't need for me to mention this, I'm sure.

[YouCanToo]

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/using-gparted-to-resize-your-windows-vista-partition/

I have used this link as a guide to (successfully) resize Vista and Win 7 partitions for friends on at least 4 occasions.  I have never had to insert the install disk to "repair" the partition.  I have been very impressed with gparted's ability to do resize these partitions without "repairing".  After the resizing and upon the next boot it took a few minutes to repair the index structure only, but it booted fine.

I don't know if it matters, but in each case, I used the windows disk resize function to shrink the partition as much as it could before I used gparted.

I hope you have good luck with this.  Failure could be a nightmare.  Trying this on your own computer is scary enough but one belonging to a local business... scary.  But you really didn't need for me to mention this, I'm sure.

Thanks nixer.... I will check out that link. Actually I have been thinking about just adding another hard drive and just using grub to handle the booting.

[aguila]

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/using-gparted-to-resize-your-windows-vista-partition/

I have used this link as a guide to (successfully) resize Vista and Win 7 partitions for friends on at least 4 occasions.  I have never had to insert the install disk to "repair" the partition.  I have been very impressed with gparted's ability to do resize these partitions without "repairing".  After the resizing and upon the next boot it took a few minutes to repair the index structure only, but it booted fine.

I don't know if it matters, but in each case, I used the windows disk resize function to shrink the partition as much as it could before I used gparted.

I hope you have good luck with this.  Failure could be a nightmare.  Trying this on your own computer is scary enough but one belonging to a local business... scary.  But you really didn't need for me to mention this, I'm sure.

Did you consider the option of wiping the whole disk and reinstall after partitioning with GParted?

Could it be that it's a home version of Vista on that box, therefore reduced in apps?

Adding a new disk might well be a good idea for a business machine, adding redundance.

[YouCanToo]

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/using-gparted-to-resize-your-windows-vista-partition/

I have used this link as a guide to (successfully) resize Vista and Win 7 partitions for friends on at least 4 occasions.  I have never had to insert the install disk to "repair" the partition.  I have been very impressed with gparted's ability to do resize these partitions without "repairing".  After the resizing and upon the next boot it took a few minutes to repair the index structure only, but it booted fine.

I don't know if it matters, but in each case, I used the windows disk resize function to shrink the partition as much as it could before I used gparted.

I hope you have good luck with this.  Failure could be a nightmare.  Trying this on your own computer is scary enough but one belonging to a local business... scary.  But you really didn't need for me to mention this, I'm sure.

Did you consider the option of wiping the whole disk and reinstall after partitioning with GParted?

I would rather not go this route

Could it be that it's a home version of Vista on that box, therefore reduced in apps?

No it is the professional version

Adding a new disk might well be a good idea for a business machine, adding redundance.

I think that this would probably be the best way to go in the long run.

[Old-Polack]

Actually I have been thinking about just adding another hard drive and just using grub to handle the booting.

That's always the best way to go when dual booting with Windows. It keeps Windows segregated on its own drive where it can't damage grub with every repair, which occur all too often.

[Ramchu]

EASEUS is FREE to download and use.

I have used this many times to resize Windows Vista and Windows 7 partitions and have never had a problem.

Very easy to use and works from within windows.

Of course back up the important files just in case.

Hope this helps !
Regards

[Ex Nihilo]

Don't have a Vista Pro machine handy, but Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Computer Management is the pat you want. If you don't have "Admin Tools" either through control panel or the flyout menus, you can take care of that issue here:
http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/178/1/Windows-Vista-Administrative-Tools-folder-is-empty.html

Re multiboot... I use EasyBCD (it's free) as a boot manager and install grub to the PCLOS boot partition... that way if windows acts up, it usually doesnt mangle its own boot manager.
http://neosmart.net/dl.php?id=1

[davexnet]

Can't you access Disk Management by typing diskmgmt.msc from the RUN box and hitting enter ?
(windows-key + r)  It always worked in XP. 

I never did learn the procedures to fix grub and so far I haven't needed to.
One day though, I'm sure I'll be here looking for the info...

I have my Windows boot loader, my Windows + Linux partitions all on my first drive.
A second HDD containing data, also contains the PCLOS bootloader which I access by pointing the BIOS to it.
From there I can select Windows OR PCLOS.
If I point back to first HDD in the BIOS, I get my original Vista bootloader which of course, still works.

I think this method protects PCLOS somewhat, but not sure what it does to Vista.  Is Vista even sensitive to it?
I heard somewhere that Windows 7 may be.

[YouCanToo]

I just ended up installing another hard drive and putting PCLOS on it. So far they seen to really like it. Have made seeral comments on how much faster it was than you the other OS.