How to change sector size on an existing partition?

Tinsby · 08 May 2014

I am trying to change the sector size of a partition either higher or lower than what is reported now.

Using the ADMIN | Computer Mgmt tools to shrink the partition does make it smaller, but the sector size stays the same. The one I am trying to change the size of is a logical drive inside an extended partition.

Here's hoping that I don't have to blow out the partition and make a new one.

Why do I want to do this? I have a dual boot machine and on the 3rd partition, I'd like to install a version of Linux to test. But since the two partitions have the exact same sector size, it's allegedly preventing the installer from seeing any of the partitions, it simply shows it as one large one with no partitions showing.

Any ideas?

Thank you

J T

LMiller7 · 08 May 2014

Sector size is an inherent property of the drive and cannot be changed.
But your problem has nothing to do with sector size.

Post a screenshot of Disk Manager showing the existing partitions.

Tinsby · 08 May 2014

LMiller7 said:

Sector size is an inherent property of the drive and cannot be changed.
But your problem has nothing to do with sector size.

Post a screenshot of Disk Manager showing the existing partitions.

HI LMiller,

Here you go. XP was on the drive first then Win 7. I know if I remove XP 7 won't boot, so it can stay. I have programs on there that won't run on 64 bit. The things I use XP for do not require a Web connection. I had made a 4th partition on the storage drive to put Ubuntu on but the installer and GParted only showed one huge drive. I understand this is s common problem but I am not sure how to fix it quickly. I DO have images of every partition, I was going to reformat the drive and make the XP partition smaller, since there will be no more programs added to it. I'd leave the 7 alone and make a 4th partition on the storage drive to hold Ubuntu. So far no joy!

Thank you!

LMiller7 · 08 May 2014

I assume you want to install Linux onto the partition containing the E: volume. The problem is that it is formatted as NTFS which has at best only limited compatibility with Linux. You certainly can't install Linux on such a partition.

Tinsby · 08 May 2014

LMiller7 said:

I assume you want to install Linux onto the partition containing the E: volume. The problem is that it is formatted as NTFS which has at best only limited compatibility with Linux. You certainly can't install Linux on such a partition.

Yes I understand that. But the problem is that GParted doesn't see any of the ntfs partitions and it should do. If I could see the partition I'd simply format it to ext4 and I'd be good to go.

Something is causing Linux to see the entire drive as if it had no partitions.

J T

Frozwire · 09 May 2014

I think you should be able to use MiniTool Partition Manager to manage your disk. I would maybe suggest converting that Win 7 logical partition that you have into a primary partition, rebuild MBR and then resize the partition you want to use with another OS.