Thinkpad R61:Installing Another Os without affecting the present one

[gary4gar]

I have a notebook, Lenovo Thinkpad R61 which one bundled with Windows Vista Home Basic.
I am thinking of a additional Os(Linux or xp) via a Dual Boot setup.

The problems are:
1)By default, there is only two partions are done on hard drive; Hidden partion for backup & remaining space is allocated to one big partion, which stores OS & all data..
2)I do not want to mess up with MBR, so thinking of using easybcd
3)I also to to Change the Disk Partion with the following scheme
1) Hidden partion intact, no changes
2) large partion to get shrink to about 30Gb of space
3) another partion to install xp or Linux.
4) Lastly, all the reaming space goes into the Data partion

Last time i tried to resize a partion using Gparted on my friends lapyy with similar setup. it messed up with MBR, however there was no Data loss.

So i am being careful this time, and ask all Gurus here


Regards,
Gary

[JGuru]

@Gary, There are plenty of partition resizing softwares available. You can boot from a live CD/DVD
of Ubuntu & use 'GParted' to resize any Windows partition. Don't worry, any way
you must be having Vista rescue DVD. So the MBR mess can be easily fixed.

[gary4gar]

Originally Posted by JGuru

@Gary, There are plenty of partition resizing softwares available. You can boot from a live CD/DVD
of Ubuntu & use 'GParted' to resize any Windows partition. Don't worry, any way
you must be having Vista rescue DVD. So the MBR mess can be easily fixed.

where to get this Vista rescue DVD?

is it same as The install Disc?

Also, Gparted takes around 2hrs to resize

[offtopic]
Welcome Back, JGuru