Ubuntu – My disk already has 4 primary partitions, how can I install Ubuntu

partitioningsystem-installation

I would like to install Ubuntu alongside Windows 7 on a HP G62 Notebook. Although I have installed Ubuntu in a dual-boot many times before, I found out that this model has already four partitions.

GParted Screenshot

Partitions:

  1. SYSTEM (NTFS, 199MB, used 66.59MB)
  2. Partition without any tag: NTFS (579GM, used 129GB)
  3. RECOVERY (NTFS 16.74 GB, used 2.42GB)
  4. HP_TOOLS (FAT32, 103.34 MB, used 13.23MB)

Since I am not an expert with partitions I would like to get advice on how to do this.

My first idea is this one:

  • Free some space from /dev/sda2 (I don't know if could also free some other space)
  • delete the HP_Tools partition (I have already created a backup)
  • create an extended partition with the free space in #1 containing three parititions: swap (1gb); / (EXT4, 30GB); /home (EXT4, 120GB)

Another option is to use wubi instead.

What do you think? Is there any other way to achieve this?

PS: I really think this HP policy of using 4 partitions is not a coincidence

PS: I tried using gparted from the live CD and I got a warning message saying that if I freed some space from /dev/sda2 I could create serious issues in the system

Best Answer

My sister and I have HP laptops that are set up the same way. Here's how I did it for both of us with a dual-boot Ubuntu and Windows 7 system:

Step 1. Delete HP_TOOLS since its small and can easily be recreated on USB/DVD

The easiest solution is to delete the HP_TOOLS partition, since it's usually only 100 MB or so and it can be easily recreated on a USB flash drive if/when you need it. Or you could back it up to DVD before deleting it.

  • This approach is approved by HP Support, and you can download the HP_TOOLS installer for a USB flash drive from here

Step 2. Shrink the Windows C drive, and use Ubuntu installer LiveCD(or on USB) to create an extended partition there

Once you delete that partition, shrink the Windows partition to create free unallocated space for Ubuntu. You can do this from Windows (disk management), or from the Ubuntu LiveCD with gparted (use "Try Ubuntu..." when booting).

After that, you can use the Ubuntu Installer to create an extended partition in the freed-space, on which it will put all the Ubuntu (logical) partitions.

Note: You can use gparted to try to move the Recovery partition to the right or left to utilize the 100MB or so of space freed by the HP_TOOLS partition, but I don't recommend it unless you are really desperate for that much space, since the move can take quite a bit of time.

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