How create partitions manually with GParted.: How to make a simple partition table with GParted.

I see that there are few nOObs who are still a little bewildered when it comes to manually partitioning their HDDs. This tutorial is how to easily create a simple partition table using the small but very powerful tool - GParted. This tool can be a little intimidating the first time you use it. I know I was intimidated the first time I used GParted. Fear not, first appearances can be misleading. GParted is very easy to use and is your friend. I'm using the fantastic Peppermint OS Four for the purpose of this tutorial, (for more info about Peppermint OS click here . GParted comes pre-install on most Live ISOs. To open GParted while using your Live session will vary from distro to distro. In Peppermint OS Four, click on the Menu>System Tools>GParted.

Opening GParted with Peppermint OS Four

When GParted has opened, you will see a screen similar to the one below. The example below is showing an unallocated volume of 20GB. This is a bare bones installation in a virtual machine that I have allocated 20GB of disk space. Your disk(s) may already have multiple partitions if you already have an operating system installed. For example Windows, Linux or Solaris. It is highly likely your volumes will be much larger. Don't worry, it will all make sense.

GParted opening window

Before you proceed any further, make sure you have backed up any critical data. For example photos, music, and personal data files. The following instructions will delete any data and format your hard drive. Right click on any of the partition blocks in the top of the window. You will be presented with a drop down menu. If the "Unmount" is highlighted, click on it to unmount it and then click delete. You will notice that an "operations pending" list will start to build at the bottom of the window. Move to the next partition block and repeat the process until the disk is clear. Now in the taskbar, click on "Device" and select "Create Partition Table".

Creating Partition Table

I stress again - backup any critical data before proceeding. You will now be presented with a warning. If you click "Apply" your whole volume will be nuked. There is no turning back once this is done. Having said that, you are now ready to build your custom partition table.

Final Warning

Once this process has completed, right click on the empty block in the window or from the list below it. Select "New". A new window will open similar to the one below.

Create new Partition

This is now going to be divided up into three primary partitions. The first one is going to be the "root" partition, normally written as /. This is done by either dragging the "right side arrow" to the left or. entering the size in the "New size" field. The partition sizes used here are random and for demonstration purposes only.

I highly recommend that 15-20GB is given to the root / partition, (15360-20480MiB). Create the partition as "Primary Partition" and format it to ext4 as the file system. You can us the Labels as a reference. /, /home and swap are good. Now click "Add". You will see again that the "operations pending" list will start to build again.

Root / partition

You are able to see the new partition has been created leaving unallocated space behind it.

The next partition is going to be the "/home" partition. Right click on either the "unallocated" block behind the / partition or, "unallocated" from the list and select "New".

Creating a "/home" partition

This time drag the arrow on the right side or, enter a size into the "free space following" field. Enough room must be left for the "swap" space. Remember the size is double that of your RAM.

1GB RAM = 2GB of swap, (2048MiB)
2GB RAM = 4GB of swap, (4096MiB)
4GB RAM = 8GB of swap, (8192MiB)

Okay, if you have 16GB of RAM you won't need 32GB of "swap". The max "swap" size needed realistically is about 8GB. Make sure you have 0, (zero) in the "free space preceding" field. This partition like / (root) is a "Primary Partition" and formatted for the ext4 file system. Enter /home in the label field. Click Add. The /home partition now shows with an unallocated space following it.

The next partition is going to be a "swap" partition. We are going to use the left over unallocated space that was created for this. I have put the swap space at the end of the table because it makes it easier to resize if you add RAM to your machine. It could be sandwiched between the / and /home partition. It is a matter of choice.

The swap space serves as extra or reserve memory if, your RAM becomes full. It is useful if you are running a machine that is low on RAM. Most modern machines have enough RAM to never use "swap". It is essential if you want to use your machine's hibernate feature.

Right click on the unallocated area and then new. Now create as, "Primary Partition", File System = Linux-swap. Enter swap as the Label and click add.