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Resizing an ext3 filesystem

In a RHES v3 environment, how do I re-size (shrink) an ext3 filesystem? The solution can require the filesystem to be unmounted.

"parted" doesn't seem to be able to do this - the parted v1.6.25 we have claims that it doesn't understand ext3, or that the "ext2 filesystem looks funny". Yes, the GNU docs list ext3 as a supported filesystem.

e2fsprogs seems to require a v2.6 kernel, which is not presently an option.

We tried Knoppix, but it mounts (and won't let us unmount) the server's root filesystem.

rindi

Have you tried using knoppix without mounting the filesystem first? You should be able to use QtParted then which comes on knoppix. To resize the partition it shouldn't be mounted anyway.

PsiCop

ASKER

Knoppix insists on mounting it on its way to Run Level 5. And once its mounted, it won't let us umount it. We want to get to QtParted, but we can't get Knoppix to NOT mount the partition.

rindi

I've never seen knoppix mounting a partition by itself, except if it is a swap partition or finds a swap file. Have you tried the cheatcodes to boot knoppix without a swap partition? What knoppix version is it?

PsiCop

ASKER

I'm actually helping a co-worker with this.

The issue seems to be that Knoppix is loading its automounter, and the automounter is mounting the root partition from the HDD.

I don't know the specific Knoppix version, altho I do know its fairly recent. Also, cheat codes have been tried.

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rindi

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ppfoong

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