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Asked: 2024-09-24T16:03:00+05:30 In:

What are the steps to adjust a partition size using the command line in Ubuntu?

I’ve been diving into some Ubuntu stuff lately, and I’ve hit a little snag. So, I’ve got this situation where my partition sizes are all out of whack, and I need to adjust them using the command line. I’ve read a bit about it, but the process seems a little daunting, and honestly, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Here’s the deal: I currently have a 250GB drive where I’ve allocated way too much space to one partition for, like, my old backups and hardly any space to the other one where I keep my projects. It’s a mess! All I want is to shrink that old backup partition down and give more room to my projects. I’ve seen various articles online, but they throw around a lot of technical jargon, and it’s making my head spin.

What I really need is a straightforward breakdown of the steps to do this. Can someone just walk me through it? Like, what commands do I need to run, in what order? Any specific tools or utilities I should use? I’m pretty comfortable with the terminal, but I don’t want to mess anything up since we’re talking about partitions, and that can really go south quickly if you’re not careful.

Also, is there anything I should back up before I start this? I’d hate to lose important files over a simple mistake. And if I mess up the commands, are there ways to recover back to where I started? I could really use some advice from anyone who’s navigated this before—what’s the best practice?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide! If you have any personal experiences or tips that worked for you, I’d love to hear those as well. Let’s help each other out and get through this partition puzzle together!

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    2 Answers


    1. Partition Resizing on Ubuntu – A Simple Guide

      Alright, let’s break it down step by step. Don’t worry, we’ll keep it simple!

      1. Backup Important Data

      Before we mess with partitions, it’s super important to back up anything that you can’t afford to lose. Use an external drive or a cloud service to save your important files.

      2. Check Current Partitions

      Open your terminal and type:

      sudo fdisk -l

      This will give you a list of all your partitions. Look for the one you want to shrink and note down its name (like /dev/sda1).

      3. Install GParted (Optional but Recommended)

      You might find it easier to use a graphical tool. GParted is great for this. If you want to install it, run:

      sudo apt update
sudo apt install gparted

      4. Resize the Partitions

      You’ll need to unmount the partition you want to resize. If you’re using GParted, do this:

      1. Launch GParted from your applications.
      2. Select your disk from the top-right dropdown.
      3. Right-click on the partition you want to shrink, and click “Unmount.”
      4. Then right-click again and select “Resize/Move.”
      5. Adjust the size as needed and apply the changes.

      5. Using Command Line (If You Prefer)

      If you want to stick with the terminal, here’s how you can use resize2fs and fdisk:

      sudo umount /dev/sda1
sudo e2fsck -f /dev/sda1
sudo resize2fs /dev/sda1 [NEW_SIZE] # E.g., 100G
sudo fdisk /dev/sda

      6. Apply Changes and Reboot

      After resizing, run:

      sudo reboot

      7. Recovery Options

      If things don’t go as planned, you can boot from a live USB to access your files or use recovery tools like TestDisk.

      Final Tips

      1. Take your time and double-check commands.

      2. Keep a backup of your important files, just in case!

      3. If unsure, consult forums or ask for help!

      Good luck! You got this!


    2. To resize your partitions in Ubuntu, the process involves a few steps that ensure you do it safely and effectively. First, it’s crucial to back up any important data, especially from the partition you intend to shrink. You can use a tool like `rsync` or a simple copy command to back up your files to an external drive or another safe location. Next, you’ll want to identify the partitions you need to work with. You can do this using the `lsblk` command, which provides a clear view of your drives and their partitions. To safely resize the partitions, make sure they are not mounted by using `umount` followed by the partition identifier (e.g., `sudo umount /dev/sda1`). Once you’ve unmounted the partitions, use the `resize2fs` command to resize the file system before you adjust the partition size with `fdisk` or `GParted`, which is a more user-friendly GUI tool that you can run in the terminal.

      After resizing the partitions, you can extend the filesystem on your project partition using `resize2fs` again, where you’ll target the newly resized partition. For example, if you resized your project partition to 100GB, you would issue `sudo resize2fs /dev/sda2` (assuming `/dev/sda2` is your project partition). Remember, partitioning can be risky, and if you encounter errors during the process, tools such as `testdisk` or `photorec` can help recover lost partitions or files. Always ensure to keep a backup before making such changes, as partitioning mishaps can lead to data loss. Following these steps, along with proper caution, should help you manage your partitions effectively.

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