Resize Partition Help

[Monopot]

Just need some help with resizing a partition.

I had a 750GB USB external drive which I had 400gb for time machine and the rest for storage of media files. I've recently brought a time capsule so have the storage area backed up on this now, so no longer need the 400gb for time machine.

I want to extend the storage area to fill the drive so I removed the 400gb partition but I can't now extend the other one.

See the attached screenshot, I need to extend the IcyBox partition so how would I do this? I've tried typing in the new size but no joy.

[James.1]

Unfortunately, due to the way live partitioning has been implemented you can't move the used partition into the free space.

What you can do though (I think ) is create a new partition in the empty space, copy your data to it, then delete the old partition and then expand the new one into the empty space by using the resize-handle in the bottom right hand corner. It'll take a some time though.

Good luck .

[Monopot]

Originally Posted by James.1

Unfortunately, due to the way live partitioning has been implemented you can't move the used partition into the free space.

What you can do though (I think ) is create a new partition in the empty space, copy your data to it, then delete the old partition and then expand the new one into the empty space by using the resize-handle in the bottom right hand corner. It'll take a some time though.

Good luck .

Sounds like a plan, good man! Never thought of it that way.

[James.1]

I've never tried it that way… so I'd be interested to here the outcome.

[Monopot]

Originally Posted by James.1

I've never tried it that way… so I'd be interested to here the outcome.

Just wanted to say yep it worked.

Copied all my data from the 2nd partition to a new 1st partition. Wiped the 2nd and then expanded the 1st. All worked fine.

You the man

[James.1]

That's good to hear.

[rob_finch]

Glad you got this sorted. There is another option you might be able to use in future. GParted is excellent for this sort of job. It's a Linux live CD, so you boot from it and can then move, copy, grow, shrink and change partitions. It can't do all of those for HFS+ formatted partitions, but handles FAT32 and NTFS fully.

[Monopot]

Originally Posted by rob_finch

Glad you got this sorted. There is another option you might be able to use in future. GParted is excellent for this sort of job. It's a Linux live CD, so you boot from it and can then move, copy, grow, shrink and change partitions. It can't do all of those for HFS+ formatted partitions, but handles FAT32 and NTFS fully.

Thanks yeah, I've used that in the past at work for NTFS drives. Good little program!