Partitioned root file too small?

Frostbite · 09-12-2007, 07:09 AM

I don't know what a root file system is, but I was required to partition my hard drive to put one in. I installed Ubuntu on my F drive (the extension partition on my hard drive) which had 17GB of space, and it was partitioned into:
1. 3GB ext3 logical partition to be used by Linux/home user directory.
2. 1.5GB swap logical partition
3. 12.5GB ext3 logical partition to install Linux to

However, when I installed Ubuntu and had to manually configure its partitions during the installation (the automatic configurer wanted to use my whole hard drive instead of F drive), it told me to choose a partition for Root and a partition for swap file. So I chose the 3GB ext3 space for Root, and I chose the 1.5GB partition for Swap. I can see the final 12.5GB partition on my Ubuntu desktop, but it is empty when I open it.
The Root thingie, though, has only 500MB space left.

Did I mess up in assigning the partitions? Should the Root have been installed on the 12.5GB partition? What do I do?

Kataclysm · 09-12-2007, 09:46 AM

Your root should have been install on the 12.5 gb.

I don't remember what software can mix your 3 gb with your 12.5gb (I wish they are consecutive). But, I know you can find it on Sabayon LiveDVD.

Or you can just reinstall ubuntu.

Frostbite · 09-12-2007, 06:38 PM

I followed the directions at this link http://partedmagic.com/docs/gparted.html to partition my hard drive, with the exception that instead of shrinking C drive and creating a new partition with the unused space, I already had the hard drived partitioned into C and F. I just partitioned F as instructed. Here is a summary of the instructions.

So in reference to your helpful suggestion above, would I partition F drive like the following:

1. 3GB partition for /home
2. 1.5GB partition for swap
3. 12.5GB partition for root

Anyone else? Mods?

**Cellus** · 09-14-2007, 01:00 PM

That sounds reasonable. Just keep in mind to have your swap space at bare minimum your size in RAM. 1.5-2x RAM is recommended as a rule of thumb, however 1x is necessary in case of memory dump from a kernel panic.

Remember to keep your personal files and such stored in /home so that in case you blow up root and need to re-install Linux, everything in /home is still intact from wiping the root partition.

Skie · 09-15-2007, 01:05 PM

Open a terminal window and type the following:

cat /etc/fstab

And paste the results here. Personally, I think 3GB for the root partition is too small unless you're using a lightweight distro.

09-12-2007, 07:09 AM	#1 (permalink)
Frostbite Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 13 OS: Windows Vista/Ubuntu 7.04	Partitioned root file too small? I don't know what a root file system is, but I was required to partition my hard drive to put one in. I installed Ubuntu on my F drive (the extension partition on my hard drive) which had 17GB of space, and it was partitioned into: 1. 3GB ext3 logical partition to be used by Linux/home user directory. 2. 1.5GB swap logical partition 3. 12.5GB ext3 logical partition to install Linux to However, when I installed Ubuntu and had to manually configure its partitions during the installation (the automatic configurer wanted to use my whole hard drive instead of F drive), it told me to choose a partition for Root and a partition for swap file. So I chose the 3GB ext3 space for Root, and I chose the 1.5GB partition for Swap. I can see the final 12.5GB partition on my Ubuntu desktop, but it is empty when I open it. The Root thingie, though, has only 500MB space left. Did I mess up in assigning the partitions? Should the Root have been installed on the 12.5GB partition? What do I do?

09-12-2007, 09:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
Kataclysm Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Quebec Posts: 76 OS: gentoo/sabayon/kubuntu/98 se/2k/XP/Vista	Re: Partitioned root file too small? Your root should have been install on the 12.5 gb. I don't remember what software can mix your 3 gb with your 12.5gb (I wish they are consecutive). But, I know you can find it on Sabayon LiveDVD. Or you can just reinstall ubuntu.

09-12-2007, 06:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
Frostbite Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 13 OS: Windows Vista/Ubuntu 7.04	Re: Partitioned root file too small? I followed the directions at this link http://partedmagic.com/docs/gparted.html to partition my hard drive, with the exception that instead of shrinking C drive and creating a new partition with the unused space, I already had the hard drived partitioned into C and F. I just partitioned F as instructed. Here is a summary of the instructions. So in reference to your helpful suggestion above, would I partition F drive like the following: 1. 3GB partition for /home 2. 1.5GB partition for swap 3. 12.5GB partition for root Anyone else? Mods?

09-14-2007, 01:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
Cellus Moderator Networking Team Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 2,664 OS: Windows Vista Business SP1, Windows XP Professional SP3 My System	Re: Partitioned root file too small? That sounds reasonable. Just keep in mind to have your swap space at bare minimum your size in RAM. 1.5-2x RAM is recommended as a rule of thumb, however 1x is necessary in case of memory dump from a kernel panic. Remember to keep your personal files and such stored in /home so that in case you blow up root and need to re-install Linux, everything in /home is still intact from wiping the root partition. __________________ TSF Networking Team Virus/Trojan/Spyware Removal Help Donate!

09-15-2007, 01:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
Skie Manager, Alternative Comp Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Chicago burbs Posts: 2,194 OS: Gentoo Linux, CentOS, OS X My System	Re: Partitioned root file too small? Open a terminal window and type the following: cat /etc/fstab And paste the results here. Personally, I think 3GB for the root partition is too small unless you're using a lightweight distro. __________________