I'm using GParted to shrink the partition on my 500 GB external hard drive to a 220 GB partition. It contains about 210 GB of data.
I'm shrinking it to convert FAT32 to EXT2. It has been almost an hour. My hard disk heats up so I have continuous ventilation to keep it cool.
Is this lengthy time taken by GParted normal? If not, then how do I safely disconnect it? I don't mind losing the data, but the hard disk is really important. Any suggestions? Also, will running the hard disk for such long hours be harmful?