Does PartitionMagic and BootMagic understand Solaris partitions?

Does PartitionMagic and BootMagic understand Solaris partitions?

Yes and no.
BootMagic can be setup to boot Solaris partitions, since it dynamically
marks the partition as active. The setup, however, doesn't
automatically recognize these partitions as Solaris (but as Linux Swap
partitions).


PowerQuest's PartitionMagic can copy and move Solaris
Partitions, with a low-level sector-by-sector copy.
It cannot enlarge or shrink the Solaris Partition,
which actually contain multiple "slices" of various Solaris ufs file systems.
Furthermore, after a partition copy, the boot block needs to be restored.
See the question elsewhere in this
FAQ "How do I restore the Solaris boot block without reinstalling?"


Grant Chivers provides these instructions to
install Solaris on a Windows/Linux system with the PowerQuest Partition Editor:



  • Before installing Solaris use Ptedit, that comes with PowerQuest's
    Partition Magic, to write out a copy of all the data about the existing
    partitions because a Solaris install will change all this.

  • If there are Linux partitions (type 83) I change them to "Hidden ext2
    partitions" (type 93), then reverse this after Solaris installation completed.

  • If installing Solaris to free disk space, I suggest you first create a
    partition (any type, such as OS/2) on the free disk space
    to get the hard disk data settings
    that will be used for the Solaris partition.
    Then delete the partition to regain free disk space
    (or use the Solaris fdisk when it prompts during install).

  • Install Solaris.
    Ensure that Solaris fdisk chooses the correct partition to format.

  • Reboot to Solaris again to finish setup, etc.

  • Reboot to DOS and run Ptedit again and adjust to previous configuration with
    the new Solaris partition being type 82.

  • Change the Linux partition back to 83 if it was changed previously.

  • Exit System commander and use DOS fdisk to check the origional active
    partition is regained.

  • Configure your bootloader.

  • I use V-Com's System Commander as a boot menu (lilo or Ntloader could be
    used instead but they require a little more configuration).

  • Reboot and it all should work.

  • Similarly, if installing Linux with an existing Solaris partition, change the
    partition type to another type (e.g., OS/2),
    install Linux and then change the Solaris
    partition back to type 83.




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