How to partition my drive?
Discussion
Hi de ho. I am looking at loading up either linux, or unix, and need to partition my drive, so as not to completely feck up the rest of my system. How the feck do I do it. I've googled for info, but they always say buy this, or buy that. Any idea, and could anyone reccomend a version that is good? (I'd prefer linux, as it seems to be the one being used).
Cheers
Cheers
There are three scenarios for installing Linux on a PC:
a) it will be your only operating system
b) you will install Windows and Linux at the same time
c) you install Linux beside your existing productive Windows
In any case, the Linux installation DVD or CD brings an own partitioning software, such as the one on a Windows install CD, but more sophisticated in order to respect an existing Windows or any other OS. It will make sure that all existing OS are selectable from a boot graphic when you start the computer.
In case a), just do the proposed installation for quick results. It will use your full system, when there is nothing on your harddrive. When there is an old Windows you want to delete, use the graphic tool provided to delete these partitions before you format the new Linux partitions.
In case b), install Windows first, and leave one empty partiton for Linux on your harddrive. Linux will automatically use free space, and create all necessary partitions there.
In case c), make a backup of your data on Windows! The installation process is very reliable, but mistakes can happen. Perform a defragmentation on Windows before starting the Linux install. Some Linux distributions have partitioners that can change the size of Windows FAT and NTFS partitions*. If your full harddisk is used by Windows, and every Windows partition has stuff on it, the Linux install application will make a proposition for making space; but it is easier to control when you already have a free partition.
* Novell Suse 9.3 Professional does this IIRC. Download a free DVD image from www.novell.com/products/linuxprofessional/ or buy a box with CD/DVDs, printed documentation, and support in a book shop. Suse is not the only distribution available, but a complete list would be too long for this post
a) it will be your only operating system
b) you will install Windows and Linux at the same time
c) you install Linux beside your existing productive Windows
In any case, the Linux installation DVD or CD brings an own partitioning software, such as the one on a Windows install CD, but more sophisticated in order to respect an existing Windows or any other OS. It will make sure that all existing OS are selectable from a boot graphic when you start the computer.
In case a), just do the proposed installation for quick results. It will use your full system, when there is nothing on your harddrive. When there is an old Windows you want to delete, use the graphic tool provided to delete these partitions before you format the new Linux partitions.
In case b), install Windows first, and leave one empty partiton for Linux on your harddrive. Linux will automatically use free space, and create all necessary partitions there.
In case c), make a backup of your data on Windows! The installation process is very reliable, but mistakes can happen. Perform a defragmentation on Windows before starting the Linux install. Some Linux distributions have partitioners that can change the size of Windows FAT and NTFS partitions*. If your full harddisk is used by Windows, and every Windows partition has stuff on it, the Linux install application will make a proposition for making space; but it is easier to control when you already have a free partition.
* Novell Suse 9.3 Professional does this IIRC. Download a free DVD image from www.novell.com/products/linuxprofessional/ or buy a box with CD/DVDs, printed documentation, and support in a book shop. Suse is not the only distribution available, but a complete list would be too long for this post
Some Linux installs will resize the windows partition for you during the install, obviousley to the limits of the free space on said partition. I know SuSE for one does this. Check Fig 1.8 here:
http://www-uxsup.csx.cam.ac.uk/pub/doc/suse/suse9.3/suselinux-adminguide_en/sec.i.yast2.proposal.html#sec.i.yast2.auswahl2
Practically all of them install a boot loader, to let you choose which OS to boot at any given time.
Personally, I'm on Suse 9.1 currently and found it quite good out of the box, good selection of usefull stuff comes with it, it all works etc. but its not set up for messing about - if you get into installing non-packaged apps e.g. compiling stuff you'l suddenly find you need loads of other stuff installing before you can compile anything. Don't know if this is still the case in the current version (9.3). Fedora was much better in this regard but I don't know if it does the partition resizing biz during install.
HTH
Neil
Edit: Yeah, what he said
>> Edited by aldi on Monday 8th August 08:50
http://www-uxsup.csx.cam.ac.uk/pub/doc/suse/suse9.3/suselinux-adminguide_en/sec.i.yast2.proposal.html#sec.i.yast2.auswahl2
Practically all of them install a boot loader, to let you choose which OS to boot at any given time.
Personally, I'm on Suse 9.1 currently and found it quite good out of the box, good selection of usefull stuff comes with it, it all works etc. but its not set up for messing about - if you get into installing non-packaged apps e.g. compiling stuff you'l suddenly find you need loads of other stuff installing before you can compile anything. Don't know if this is still the case in the current version (9.3). Fedora was much better in this regard but I don't know if it does the partition resizing biz during install.
HTH
Neil
Edit: Yeah, what he said
>> Edited by aldi on Monday 8th August 08:50
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