How to extend my root partition? [duplicate]

Solution 1:

We'll repartition your disk, as requested, but also convert you from a (too small) swap partition, to a /swapfile.

Note: Pay close attention to these instructions.

Make sure that you have a good backup of your important Ubuntu files, as this procedure can corrupt or lose data.

DISABLE CURRENT SWAP PARTITION

sudo swapoff -a

sudo -H gedit /etc/fstab

Comment out the swap line that looks similar to this...

UUID=xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx  none  swap  sw  0  0

Save the file and quit gedit.

REPARTITION

Keep these things in mind:

always start the entire procedure with issuing a swapoff on any mounted swap partitions, and end the entire procedure with issuing a swapon on that same swap partition
a move is done by pointing the mouse pointer at the center of a partition and dragging it left/right with the hand cursor
a resize is done by dragging the left/right side of a partition to the left/right with the directional arrow cursor
if any partition can't be moved/resized graphically, you may have to manually enter the specific required numeric data (don't do this unless I instruct you to)
you begin any move/resize by right-clicking on the partition in the lower pane of the main window, and selecting the desired action from the popup menu, then finishing that action in the new move/resize window

Do the following...

Note: if the procedure doesn't work exactly as I outline, STOP immediately and DO NOT continue.

boot to a Ubuntu Live DVD/USB, in “Try Ubuntu” mode
start gparted
set swapoff on /dev/nvme0n1p5
delete the /dev/nvme0n1p5 old swap partition
move /dev/nvme0n1p6 partition all the way left
resize /dev/nvme0n1p6 right side all the way right
click the Apply icon
quit gparted and reboot the computer

CREATE /swapfile

Now we'll create a fresh new /swapfile...

Note: Incorrect use of the rm and dd commands can cause data loss. Suggest copy/paste.

In the terminal...

sudo swapoff -a           # turn off swap
sudo rm -i /swapfile      # remove old /swapfile

sudo dd if=/dev/zero of=/swapfile bs=1M count=4096

sudo chmod 600 /swapfile  # set proper file protections
sudo mkswap /swapfile     # init /swapfile
sudo swapon /swapfile     # turn on swap
free -h                   # confirm xxG RAM and 4G swap

Edit /etc/fstab, using sudo -H gedit /etc/fstab or sudo pico /etc/fstab.

Add the following /swapfile line in /etc/fstab... and confirm no other “swap” lines... use SPACES in this line... confirm NO TABS...