The way it should have been done from the beginning

[llogg]

I installed Mint in a partition alongside a pre-existing Vista install. Because of Windows limitations I was left with 70% of my HDD space allocated to Windows. I now want to destroy the windows partition, expand Mint to the whole HD, and install Vista as a Virtual Box machine. Anybody know how to do that without simply reformatting the HD and installing Mint? I don't feel like going through all the configuration and installation of things I need for work if I can avoid it. Thanks in advance.

[mockturtl]

I installed Mint in a partition alongside a pre-existing Vista install. Because of Windows limitations I was left with 70% of my HDD space allocated to Windows. I now want to destroy the windows partition, expand Mint to the whole HD, and install Vista as a Virtual Box machine. Anybody know how to do that without simply reformatting the HD and installing Mint? I don't feel like going through all the configuration and installation of things I need for work if I can avoid it. Thanks in advance.

Sure -- you just need to run gparted partition manager in a live session. Delete the windows partition, move your Mint partition to the left, and "grow" it to fill the empty space.

I use unetbootin to install PartedMagic to a bootable USB drive. It has a nice gparted tutorial, too.

[catweazel]

you just need to run gparted partition manager in a live session. Delete the windows partition, move your Mint partition to the left, and "grow" it to fill the empty space.

When you tell inexperienced users something like that you have an implicit responsibility to advise them of the dangers to their treasured data. Next time, please make sure you also advise posters that they do at least one backup and put it out of harm's way.

[llogg]

Any problem if Mint was installed on an extended partition?

BTW, all data backed up to an external HD and cloud.

[Orbmiser]

Any problem if Mint was installed on an extended partition?

BTW, all data backed up to an external HD and cloud.

Nope as have a Win7,Winxp & E: data primaries. My linux is on extended / , /home & swap all are extended.

Yep always backup that can't afford to lose data.
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