Shrinking an XFS partition

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[MODERATOR's NOTE: The troubleshooting section is reserved for asking for help. Thread moved. Considering this thread is about the shrinking of XFS partion, thread renamed. Please put a single issue per thread to make future references possible]

Okay, you self aked...

Is there a way to decrease (in size, that is) a xfs (linux filesystem) formatted partition (without taking a backup or moving data somewhere else)? There are utilities to increase the size of partition, but not decrease.

QUOTE (demogog @ Dec 01 2006, 04:48 AM) Okay, you self aked...

Is there a way to decrease (in size, that is) a xfs (linux filesystem) formatted partition (without taking a backup or moving data somewhere else)? There are utilities to increase the size of partition, but not decrease.
From what I can see, you'll have to backup or move the data elsewhere temporarily b/c the data will be lost during the repartitioning. This is working with a linux system though, so there may be another way; I'll ask my dormmates (a few of them are very knowledgable on linux) if any of them know. A question that might be of importance is what form of linux are you running. It should also be noted that it's going on 6 for me, and I haven't had much sleep, so I'm not really putting my all into the search right now. So tomorrow afternoon I'll be more effective at looking. ^^

Edit: Check out this and see if it can help; it says it can both grow and shrink partition sizes; though I'm not sure if it will work on xfs.
LVM
LVM how-to

No, it is not Logical Volume Manager. It is just a harddrive (12gb) with a single 10gb partition (so there's 2gb still free, and 4 gb free on partition)). I need to shrink the partition to 8 gb. I can't move data else where (no cd/dvd-burners, ethernet interface).

And Partition Magic wont work with the Linux format you need? Shall ask around and do a full search then~

As far as I know, Partition Magic costs money. We are talking about free tools. So... I am not going to buy that program or download it somewhere. That's not an option.

QUOTE (demogog @ Dec 03 2006, 07:12 PM) As far as I know, Partition Magic costs money. We are talking about free tools. So... I am not going to buy that program or download it somewhere. That's not an option.
Try "QT Parted". It is an open source program very similar to Partition magic.
You can find it easily on Knoopix live CD linux.

QUOTE (demogog @ Dec 03 2006, 06:12 PM) As far as I know, Partition Magic costs money. We are talking about free tools. So... I am not going to buy that program or download it somewhere. That's not an option.
I believe that you can get a trial version that will let you do it; though I'm not sure - I'd have to check. But, that aside; if you are looking for a free program that will allow you to repartition parts of your HD, then you are out of luck. As far as I know, all programs like that have prices attached. Your best bet is to either find a trial version that will do the trick, or find some means to acquire such a program (maybe a friend has it that you could borrow?)


To whichever Mod moved my thread; please promptly move it back to where I originally had it. My thread is not about shrinking an XFS partition; it is simply the first question asked. The troubleshoot section is not where it belongs, nor is the title that you renamed it to what it should be. Please correct this.

QUOTE (Bold @ Dec 04 2006, 12:21 AM) Try "QT Parted". It is an open source program very similar to Partition magic.
You can find it easily on Knoopix live CD linux.
If you look at the programs features list on sourceforge page (http://qtparted.sourceforge.net/features.en.html) you will see, that program only can create XFS partition (not resize), so no shrinking for me here.

@dchaosblade: I don't need to repair my harddrive. I just need to resize the partition.

Well, I think that my question is closed. It looks like XFS partition can be increased in size, not decreased (because of fs structure).
However, if I don't forget, I will send an email to developers of XFS and ask them directly, if it is possible to shrink the XFS partition.

QUOTE (demogog @ Dec 03 2006, 06:51 PM) If you look at the programs features list on sourceforge page (http://qtparted.sourceforge.net/features.en.html) you will see, that program only can create XFS partition (not resize), so no shrinking for me here.

@dchaosblade: I don't need to repair my harddrive. I just need to resize the partition.

Well, I think that my question is closed. It looks like XFS partition can be increased in size, not decreased (because of fs structure).
However, if I don't forget, I will send an email to developers of XFS and ask them directly, if it is possible to shrink the XFS partition.
Never said anything of repairing your HD Only said to repartition a part of it - which is what you're aiming for when you want to shrink the size of your XFS partition.


Are there any more questions from other users for me?

Oh, my fault. I read it as reparation. My fault, my fault, sorry. Will pay more attention next time.