bid - line enthusiasts know that if you’re able to do something in the regular Mac interface , you’re able to usually do it faster using Terminal . But as of Mac OS X 10.4.6 , Terminal also allow you perform a feat that previously required MBD - on software . Using a obscure program line , you’re able to resize saucer partitions on - the - fly sheet , withoutlosing data .
This statement rent you vary the size of an Intel Mac ’s partitions , or of extraneous platter connected to that Mac , while the data remains untouched — a job that used to require software such as Coriolis Systems ’ $ 45iPartition . The addition of this feature is a boon to anyone who has ever split up a disk , realized that one partition was too modest , and then suffered through back up , repartitioning , and copying datum back to the thrust once again . ( For more information about partitioning , seeMultiply Your Drive . ) Of course , you shouldalwaysback up data before mess with your disk , but if all works as be after , your relief will now just be a refuge net .
What ’s the magic control ? It ’s a mapping of the
Note that this command works only on Intel Macs with hard disks formatted using the GPT ( GUID Partition Table ) format with a journaled Hierarchical File System Plus ( HFS+ ) file system . This is the default option for Intel Macs ’ hard disk , but you may also format an external thrust in this way through Disk Utility ( /Applications / Utilities ) .
Gather info
To habituate the
To determine the segmentation ’s name , type
Now you need to find out out what size your new segmentation can be . carry this command :
Compose your command
Now that you sleep together the disk ’s name and size limits , prepare your command . It should stick to this introductory framework :
The first part of the command is , of form , the command itself :
Although you’re able to resize the first partition , youcan’tchange its format — that ’s why you do n’t take to narrow one for it . For each extra segmentation you wish to create , you must specify the format you want it to adopt . For example , type
you could not create a bootable partition for Boot Camp using this command . The
The command in action
Here ’s an example of a slimly more complicated
This bidding splits a exclusive partition in two . It specifies a sizing of 100 GB for the first partition . Then it produce a new , second partition , name Part2 , using the journaled HFS+ format , with a minimal size of 100 sarin . If there ’s more empty space in the partition , the command will apply it all . So if you split a 232 GB partition , the above instruction would give you a first sectionalization of 100 GB and a second partition of 132 GB .
Two Disks , Two FormatsYou can also use this control to make divider with dissimilar formatting if you need more disc blank for Boot Camp . Using the premature example of a 232 GB hard disk , here ’s how you ’d refashion the partitions to make one partition for Mac OS X and another for windowpane :
You now have a 132 GB journaled HFS+ segmentation ( for Mac OS X ) , and a new 100 GB FAT32 partition named Windows . Here ’s something to keep in thinker : Windows ScanDisk , the Windows disk - checking and -repair utility , ask that you make the FAT32 partition no orotund than 124.55 GB . If you do n’t plan to utilise ScanDisk , do n’t interest about this limit .
Reassess Before You ResizeIf you want to split up your Mac segmentation again , run
You now have two Mac partitions and one FAT32 partition . you’re able to not resize FAT32 partitions with the
The Last Word
The
This fresh command is a employment in progress and will probably see changes when OS 10 10.5 arrives . In the meantime , with this tool at your disposal you could resize partitions on - the - rainfly , rather than having to simulate data back and forward to an external drive . And you do n’t have to spend a dime bag to do it .
Tip
Before using this proficiency to resize the partitions on your drive , check that you ’ve backed up everything . It ’s all too easy to make a typo , and you ca n’t untie the command line ! ( For backup tips , see Better Mac Backups . )
[ Kirk McElhearn is the author of many books , includingThe Mac OS X Command parentage : Unix under the Hood(Sybex , 2004 ) . ]