[CUBE] Unpartitioning

[Marc Stergionis]

At about 4:23 PM +0100 on 1/9/03, Riba wrote:
>>Is there a way to "unpartition" a drive without wiping out the contents?
>>I've installed Jaguar, and done the software updates ( > 80 MegBytes )
>>through a 56 Kbytes dial-up modem.
>>   But my drive is partitioned, and I now run into needing more space on the
>>"System-partition". Doing a new install, and going through the
>>softwareupdate once again ... Well, if I can avoid that!
>>
>>Or should I try Carbon Copy Cloner?
>>
>>Just to be sure, I don't want to risk suffering stability. So if that's the
>>option I'd rather go though the whole process once again.
>
>I think FWB has a product that is supposed to be able to resize 
>partitions without wiping out the content, but it only recently came 
>out and I believe it is not free. If you have access to a spare 
>partition or external HD, just use CCC to copy the system partition 
>to it, and back on afterwards. Works great, that's exactly what I 
>did a while ago.

Hard Disk Toolkit can both "add" and "resize" partitions, since at 
least version 2.0x, which is 5-6 years old.

To increase (or decrease) the number of volumes HDT's scheme is to 
delete partitions and then create new partitions. So you have to 
either have an empty partition, that you've copied everything off, or 
a current backup of it if you want that data back.

I don't think you can resize running HDT off your startup Drive. And 
HDT requires its drivers to be installed in order to change volume 
quantities or resize partitions. Unless you have the newest version 
of HDT, your OS X drivers will probably be much more up-to-date. 
Depending on your mix CCC/reformatting may be easier.

Even if you have newest HDT and install its drivers then decide to go 
back to Apple's drivers, you could hose your drive. Been there. Done 
that.

CCC is a godsend, if you have the space available to temporarily 
relocate stuff  ...

-ms
-- 
Many have Montana envy ... the lucky get to live here!
Marc Stergionis
Communications/Web Specialist
Benefis Healthcare http://www.benefis.org
"Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of my employer."