partition for windows 7 and lion os x, im stuck.

[bagnolet]

Is it possible to re-partition, instead of wiping everything and creating two new partitions?

For example, using gpart to shrink or resize the existing windows partition ?

No, because your drive has MBR scheme and in order to install OSX you need GPT.

 

[MarcelBidon]

No, because your drive has MBR scheme and in order to install OSX you need GPT.

1/ GPT mandatory for Osx
GPT is not mandatory for Osx. It can run from a MBR partition scheme disk. The only problem is that you need to customize USB Key prepared with Unibeat to do it (otherwise installation is failing claming that it impossible to install Osx on this disk). Very easy, you need to follow this procedure:
http://www.osx86.net/view/3153-10.8_ml_mbr_patch_for_install_os_x_to_m_...html

2/ Osx and Windows (any version) on the same MBR disk
Windows cannot start if bootloader is not in the MBR. Chameleon is the requesting the same.
It is making impossible to have them on the same single boot disk.
There is a turnaround that I am using on a similar machine.
I have in the back an tiny USB key (GPT scheme 1 partion with Chameleon and a copy of my /Extra directory) that is booting the system and I make the choice from the boot menu.
My disk is MBR: first partition standard windows, second one Osx (HFS+ Journaled) and chamelon is not installed (if you install Chameleon, windows will fail to boot even from the menu given by USB key).
Windows can boot normally without the USB key (not Osx obviously).

3/Windows 7 SP1 and Osx on the same GPT disk
Since SP1, it is reported as possible. I did not try.
I prefer to stay away from GPT in a native windows machine because of the lack of tools in case of problem.

4/Keep current installaion and convert disk to GPT
It is possible. You need to download Paragon backup (free edition has the full fonctionallity for that).
You can backup any partition (MBR and GPT) and you can restore it with shrinking and expanding options. You can backup from MBR and restore to GPT or the reverse. You can also resize Osx partitions.

My advise is to use method 2/.
You shrink your partition under windows. You customize the installation USB. You format the second partion at installation (with disk utility).
You make the installation WITHOUT INSTALLING CHIMERA on the HDD.
You can use your installation key or a special tiny one to startup (need to set your bios to boot on USB).

 

[RehabMan]

Is it possible to re-partition, instead of wiping everything and creating two new partitions?

For example, using gpart to shrink or resize the existing windows partition ?

If you are switching from MBR to GPT then you need to completely re-partition using GPT (and probably hybrid MBR), which will wipe everything clean. You could clone the original partition(s) somewhere and restore, but generally it is easier and a better result to just re-install.

 

[bigmat78]

If you are switching from MBR to GPT then you need to completely re-partition using GPT (and probably hybrid MBR), which will wipe everything clean. You could clone the original partition(s) somewhere and restore, but generally it is easier and a better result to just re-install.

Thanks for the suggestions. I will see what works and let people know. The difficulty is that the probook I've just ordered will come with Win 7 installed, but will not come with an installation disk of Win 7 - so if I wipe the OS, then I will have a difficult time reinstalling it.

The suggestions here have given me some ideas which I can try, including cloning, which sounds like it could make problem solving this possible

 

[RehabMan]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will see what works and let people know. The difficulty is that the probook I've just ordered will come with Win 7 installed, but will not come with an installation disk of Win 7 - so if I wipe the OS, then I will have a difficult time reinstalling it.

The suggestions here have given me some ideas which I can try, including cloning, which sounds like it could make problem solving this possible

I just did a goog search 'windows 7 digital river direct links'.

This is what came up: http://www.mydigitallife.info/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-from-digital-river/

Assuming the ISO download goes ok, you should be able to use that to install fresh, then use the product key in your battery compartment. I'd do a clone just in case something doesn't work. And make sure you download the ISO that matches your key (win7 home premium, professional, etc).

 

[MarcelBidon]

If you are switching from MBR to GPT then you need to completely re-partition using GPT (and probably hybrid MBR), which will wipe everything clean. You could clone the original partition(s) somewhere and restore, but generally it is easier and a better result to just re-install.

You can move a partition (with extension or shrinking) from a MBR disk to a GPT or the reverse with this free tool (works with FAT, FAT32, NTFS, HFS+, EXT2...).
http://www.paragon-software.com/home/br-free/.
You prepare an GPT disk with only 1 empty partition. You restore. You will get a disk with your partition and space to create a second one. You can repare boot with windows tools.

 

[RehabMan]

You can move a partition (with extension or shrinking) from a MBR disk to a GPT or the reverse with this free tool (works with FAT, FAT32, NTFS, HFS+, EXT2...).
http://www.paragon-software.com/home/br-free/.
You prepare an GPT disk with only 1 empty partition. You restore. You will get a disk with your partition and space to create a second one. You can repare boot with windows tools.

Yes, I've done the same with Ubuntu gparted. And other than Linux I can always make a clone that has been changed/moved/resized around work again. But it does require some knowledge of the Windows boot process (ie. need to know how to use BCDEDIT to fix your \Boot\BCD file). I've found that the built-in Windows repair stuff rarely works (and takes forever).

 

[MarcelBidon]

My recommandation is to install Osx and Windows on the same MBR disk
Windows cannot start if bootloader is not launch from the MBR. Chameleon is the requesting the same.
It is making impossible to have them on the same single boot disk. There is a turnaround using a tiny USB key (1 partion with Chameleon and a copy of /Extra directory) that is booting the system and make the OS choice from the boot menu.

Disk MBR: first partition standard windows, second one Osx (HFS+ Journaled) and chamelon is not installed (if you install Chameleon, windows will fail to boot even from the menu given by USB key).
Windows can boot normally without the USB key (not Osx obviously). No risk in case ofproblem with osx.

1/ You shrink your windows partition.
You create a second windows primary partition after

2/ You customize the Unibeast installation (USB key) to install on a MBR disk
Very easy, you need to follow this procedure:
http://www.osx86.net/view/3153-10.8_...x_to_m_...html

2/ You format the second partion (Mac format HFSJ) at installation (with the disk utility of the installer).

3/ You make the installation with Multibeast WITHOUT INSTALLING CHIMERA on the HDD
You can use your installation key or a special tiny one to startup (need to set your bios in order to boot on USB).

 

[bagnolet]

What's the point to always need a USB stick to start your laptop ?

 

[MarcelBidon]

If you have a single MBR disk, you need Chameleon or Chimera to boot Osx. If you install it on the disk, windows will no longer boot.