Installation guide

It is important to understand what the resizing software you use does with the newly freed space, so
that you can take the appropriate steps. In the case we have illustrated, it would be best to delete the
new DOS partition and create the appropriate Linux partition(s).
26 .1.4 .3.3. Creat e n ew p art it io n ( s)
As the previous step implied, it may or may not be necessary to create new partitions. However,
unless your resizing software is Linux-aware, it is likely that you must delete the partition that was
created during the resizing process. Figure 26.13, “ Disk Drive with Final Partition Configuration” ,
shows this being done.
Fig u re 26 .13. Disk Drive wit h Fin al Part it io n Co n f ig u rat io n
In Figure 26.13, “ Disk D rive with Final Partition Configuration” , 1 represents before and 2 represents
after.
Note
The following information is specific to x86-based computers only.
As a convenience to our customers, we provide the parted utility. This is a freely available program
that can resize partitions.
If you decide to repartition your hard drive with parted, it is important that you be familiar with disk
storage and that you perform a backup of your computer data. You should make two copies of all the
important data on your computer. These copies should be to removable media (such as tape, CD-
ROM, or diskettes), and you should make sure they are readable before proceeding.
Should you decide to use parted, be aware that after parted runs you are left with two partitions:
the one you resized, and the one parted created out of the newly freed space. If your goal is to use
that space to install Red Hat Enterprise Linux, you should delete the newly created partition, either by
using the partitioning utility under your current operating system or while setting up partitions during
installation.
26.1.5. Part it ion Naming Scheme
Linux refers to disk partitions using a combination of letters and numbers which may be confusing,
particularly if you are used to the "C drive" way of referring to hard disks and their partitions. In the
DOS/Windows world, partitions are named using the following method:
Each partition's type is checked to determine if it can be read by DOS/Windows.
If the partition's type is compatible, it is assigned a " drive letter." The drive letters start with a "C"
and move on to the following letters, depending on the number of partitions to be labeled.
Red Hat Ent erprise Linux 5 Inst allat ion G uide
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