GrovvyArcade iso partitioning question

[ratsflif]

Hey, I'm not a linux guy so it could be a simple answer.

Can I have an ntsc partition on the same hard drive as the groovy install so that I can just pop the drive on my external enclosure and update the roms from my windows machine?

I made a 300 gig ntsc partition on my 500 gig hard drive but I can't get the groovy install onto the unused space for the linux files.  The installer says that the drive is already partitioned and wont continue, the only way I can get it to install is to wipe out all the partitions and format the entire drive.

Thanks

[Doozer]

Hi,

You need to do manual partitioning to achieve your goal. I assume you are using an external hard drive (USB). You need to keep in mind that windows only scan/use the first partition on an external drive.

Nevertheless, it is possible to do what you want by installing groovyarcade first, then doing some repartitioning (Linux knowledge required). Let's assume you used the gasetup script for the installation. You should have GABoot and GARoot, swap and roms partitions. First, backup the roms partitions layout somewhere (use rsync is possible). using another distro (like live CD Ubuntu) use the (g)parted utility and do the following.

- Delete roms partition
- Move all partition at end of the dist to free space at the beginning of the dist
- Create a new first ntfs partition at the beginning

- restart PC with groovyarcade CD
- rewrite the syslinux/grub mbr (cmd line can be taken from gasetup)
- mount the GARoot and edit the fstab file to map the roms partition to your new ntfs partition

Ta da. Reboot and it is done. If you plug the disk on a windows computer, it will show you your roms partition.

I know, it is not start forward. Hope you will succeed ;-)

[Calamity]

As Doozer explained it is indeed possible but it has to be done manually, not from the scripts in Groovy Arcade.

If you're not a Linux guy (me neither) and you still want to have an ntfs partition for roms it is way easier to use separate disks for Groovy and for your roms. Or just keep your roms in an ntfs hd and install Groovy in a pendrive (although I'm not so eager to recommend the later option as I once was since pendrive installs turned out to be super fragile in my experience).

[ratsflif]

Yeah, I understand.  I am using this on a HP thin client and trying to keep it all nice and neat in one small box.  The thin client only has room for one laptop hard drive.

I pretty proficient in command line, use powershell at work all day so I'm sure I can manage.  Thanks for the help guys.