Alexander Skwar wrote:
> Aha, how do I run Partition Magic (PQM) under Linux? I don't understand
> that reason.
You do not run any partitioning software under Linux. To attempt to
do so would be ludicrous. Can Linux fdisk delete the partition it is
running in? All partitioning operations demand all partitions to
be idle.
> For PQM you need a DOS machine, don't you?
You do need a Windows machine to install it. But once installed you
then create the two floppies, which is all you ever need use. You
can also create these under Linux directly from the CDROM. The
first is DOS bootable if a licensed DOS is installed - otherwise PM
installs FreeDOS on the floppy.
If you attempt to use your installed PM under Windows, it will
immediately take down Windows and do the job on a dedicated DOS
machine.
> So it's also
> centered on one OS, and this OS isn't even available for free.
Yes it is, see above.
> Besides,
> does PQM handle BE partitions? I don't know if the Mandrake utilities
> handle those, but that doesn't matter.
If you mean BEOS partitions, no it does not. I do not have any.
> And BTW: There's resize_reiserfs, made by not Mandrake but the reiserfs
> guys, so you can make your partitions smaller, even with reiserfs.
INcluding the running Linux partition? What about bigger? On a
running system that would be a nonsense.
> > I cannot trust any of Mandrake's utilities that have anything to do
> > with partitioning, because:
> >
> > 1. There are open bug reports.
>
> How do you know that there are none for PQM?
There have been no patch releases since 5.0
> > 4. They are supplied by a vendor with a vested interest in only one
> > Linux distribution.
>
> But you can use them on any Linux distribution. This includes Mandrake, but
> also something like tomsrtbt rescue disk (if you can fit it on there, else
> make a bootable CD-Rom. Besides: PQM doesn't fit on disk either, so that's
> no reason).
PM fits on two floppies, the first is little more than a DOS boot
disk.
> > 5. There is no industry-accepted definition of how partitioning
> > should be done. Mandrake's specifications are unknown and have not
> > been published prior to implementation for review by persons more
> > knowledgeable than Mandrake staff in the subject.
>
> Huh? What do you mean by that? I don't understand.
Responsible software development practice. Read again?
> > 6. The testing plan has not been published so that we can be assured
> > that proper operation across all operating and file systems and
> > partitioning schemes has been thoroughly verified before release.
>
> So hasn't the testing plan for PQM, has it?
PM is proprietary software, so declines the opportunity.
> > The lesson is clear - only even consider using the Mandrake utilities
> > on machines that will never be running anything but MandrakeSoft
> > products, so that you can call for suppport and obtain results.
>
> No, it is not clear. For you it is to not use reiserfs, for me it is to use
> reiserfs. Can you call PowerQuest support if you have problems with PQM? I
> don't know.
Yes.
Quite definitely, expect trouble ahead (unless you have the right
tools).
--
Regards,
Ron. [AU]
