docs/61070: Installation docs misleading: PResizer isn't appropriate

[Andrew Predoehl]

>Number:         61070
>Category:       docs
>Synopsis:       Installation docs misleading:  PResizer isn't appropriate
>Confidential:   no
>Severity:       non-critical
>Priority:       medium
>Responsible:    freebsd-doc
>State:          open
>Quarter:        
>Keywords:       
>Date-Required:
>Class:          doc-bug
>Submitter-Id:   current-users
>Arrival-Date:   Thu Jan 08 07:00:35 PST 2004
>Closed-Date:
>Last-Modified:
>Originator:     Andrew Predoehl
>Release:        4.9-STABLE
>Organization:
>Environment:
Not applicable
>Description:
I'm new to FreeBSD, installing for the first time, and using the Handbook to do so.  I think section 2.2.3.1 would benefit if the reference to PResizer is changed, because PResizer (by itself) isn't adequate.  Here's a quote to consider changing:

Section 2.2.3.1, paragraph 8:
  "You can use a commercial tool .. to make space for FreeBSD. The tools
directory on the CDROM contains two free software tools which can carry out this task, namely FIPS and PResizer. FIPS, PResizer, and PartitionMagic can resize FAT16 and FAT32 partitions . . . ."

Strictly speaking, yes, that's correct, because PResizer resizes a partition and makes space.  But it (by design) doesn't create new partitions -- the docs recommend you use FDISK to do so.  But FDISK won't make a primary partition if one already exists.  In fact an installer (such as myself) needs two things: (0) to make space -- i.e., shrink my FAT32 partition; and also (1) to create a new primary partition.  PResizer does step (0) but not (1).

>How-To-Repeat:
N/A
>Fix:
The solution is to put aside PResizer and use FIPS, because FIPS will resize the partition AND create a new primary partition.  I rather stupidly didn't grasp all this till I already used PResizer to shrink my FAT32 partition, duh, and then realized FDISK wouldn't do what I wanted.  Then I hoped FIPS would.  If so, I couldn't figure out how -- FIPS wanted to do the shrinking too.  So I used PResizer to expand FAT32 back to where it was, then had FIPS do the whole thing.

In defense of PResizer, it apparently does something FIPS can't -- enlarge a partition.  It's a good tool, just not the right tool for the job I needed to do.  I bet the same is true for many (most?) readers of this section.

I propose replacing paragraph 8 of sec. 2.2.3.1 with the following:
"You can use a commercial tool such as PartitionMagic® to resize your
partitions to make space for FreeBSD. The tools directory on the CDROM
contains a free software tool which can carry out this task, namely FIPS.  FIPS and PartitionMagic can resize FAT16 and FAT32 partitions - used in MS-DOS through Windows ME. PartitionMagic is the only known application that can resize NTFS. Documentation for both of these is available in the same directory.  The tools directory contains another tool, PResizer, which is useful for manipulating FAT16 and FAT32 partitions, but it cannot create a new primary partition."

cheers!  AMP
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