Linux Partitioning

[LJ57]

I am trying to install Madrake 7.0 as a dual boot with Win98 on my system. I already have four partitions formatted with Fat32. I am scared that I am going to screw up installation when I create the partitions for Linux. Can someone who dual boots Linux give me some advice on installing without doing something really stupid?
Thanks

[mikek147]

Do you have any un-partitioned areas on you disk?

[uart]

Also tell us if how many of your fat32's are primary's and how many are logicals.

[warchild]

as long as you do have space left on that drive (meaning UN-partitioned space), mandrake 7.0 will work perfect. The partitioning is all visual (did you know that already...?) and if you can point and click then you should have no problems. AS long as you do not even think about touching the fat32 partitions that you will see, you'll have no prob's. Dont even click on them, its just asking for something evil to happen. If its your first install of Linux or even just first Mandrake Install, just hit the auto-allocate button and all the partitions will safely be made. Good luck. If its your first linux install, stick with the graphical partioner that is generally provided, and for now stay away from fdisk and the like

[johngeeaswell]

When I create dual-boot systems on friends computers I will usually install partition magic on Windows and use it to create my Linux partitions (root/swap) and then boot off of a Linux CD to install. Also Norton can come in handy to move Windows to the beginning of your drive by going into the 'speed disk' properties and selecting unfragment free space. Sometimes little tid bits can get stuck at the end of the drive making it difficult to partition.
If you are worried about using Lilo then you can use Loadlin.exe which should be on your Linux cd under dos utils. I make one of those --Keen-- startup screens in windows that will default a selection in so many seconds. Which is handy and doesn't really get in the way like Lilo can (in my opinion). Just make sure you make a boot disk or two so that you can load Linux and copy the Kernel over to a directory on windows. You may want to get a book or do more research on the net using Loadlin.exe as a boot method because using a boot disk will work but it sure is slow.

...G...

[ml]

If you have the HP/Adaptec CD burning software you can conveniently copy your Windows setup to CD using the Disaster Recovery option and not worry about trashing it. I dual-boot Mandrake 7.0 and Windows 98 also. Mandrake works very well.

[This message has been edited by ml (edited 05-08-2000).]