Partitioning resizing problem

[guko]

Hello everybody, I am asking for help to my little problem. I want to shrink the partition on my laptop to install Linux (currently VISTA), but I cannot create new or resize my partition. I tried with the native VISTA partitioner, I tried Partition Magic, every single program, I even defragmented-but still no help. When I tried to install OPENSUSE 10.3,(invalid system file) and to use its partitioner it says: cannot read partition table. I want to install Linux so badly (it is not my first time), but I don want to format it- but, could be that the only solution? PLease help

[Jonathan183]

Run disk defragment on Windows, you should be able to resize using Vista ... unless the disk is full.
If you want to resize the partition I would use the PartedMagic CD rather than partition magic.

[devils casper]

In case PartedMagic doesn't work, open Terminal in PartedMagic and execute fdisk -l command. It wil display partition structure of your Hard Disk. Post output here.

[guko]

In case PartedMagic doesn't work, open Terminal in PartedMagic and execute fdisk -l command. It wil display partition structure of your Hard Disk. Post output here.

Thanks-that really helped me.