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Date: Wed, 06 May 2009 13:26:50 +0300
From: Manolis Kiagias <sonicy@otenet.gr>
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To: Matthias Apitz <guru@unixarea.de>
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Cc: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org
Subject: Re: reducing Windows Vista to install FreeBSD dual-boot
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Matthias Apitz wrote:
> Hello,
>
> Maybe a bit off-topic (sorry for this). I've got a fresh Dell M4400
> laptop with 250 GByte, pre-installed Vista on it. Is there a way to
> reduce the Vista to let's say 50 GByte and install FreeBSD -CURRENT
> in the remaining 200 GByte, just to have the Vista later for some
> investigations, or whatever? Thx
>
> If not I will scratch the Vista, install FreeBSD and later in the rest
> of 50 GByte the Vista again.
>
> 	matthias
>   
Sure, You can even reduce Vista's partition from Control Panel -> 
Administrative Tools -> Computer Management -> Disk Management.  Right 
click on the partition and select to shrink. The amount that it will 
allow you to shrink will vary (probably depends on the fragmentation) 
but I guess you will be able to get 50G on a 200G disk. Then install 
FreeBSD as usual, but do not allow it to install any boot manager (it 
will mess with Vista's BCD system). After installing, use EasyBCD (free 
download) within Vista to add FreeBSD to the boot menu.