When I get a new hard drive...

[Garfield]

Of course, I'll be keeping my previous one. The previous one has:

-Windows
-Program Files

But, on this new hard drive I want to put Linux and install future Windows programs. What will I have to do? A friend said that I would have to partition it three ways:

First partition:
-Windows for the programs (I can create another "Program Files")

Second partition:
-Linux and Linux related files

Third partition:
-DOS so Windows recognizes the new drive

Is this what I should do? Suggestions? Thanks...

--Garfield

[Shadow ÒÓ]

you need one partition. Primary DOS partition. Install windows. When you install Linux, it'll make it's own space.

[Garfield]

So, I wouldn't need to partition the hard drive? If you say I only need one partition, do you mean...the whole drive!? So, I won't need to partition it? I'm confused. Thanks...

[iggybaseball]

get system commander. it will allow u to have multiple os's on ur system:)

[Garfield]

I was planning on using PartitionMagic 7.0. With this, would I make 3 partitions or 1? I'm confused, Shadow. Can you explain? Thanks...

[Wa11y]

It really depends on what you wanna do. Do you want to dedicate the whole drive to Linux, or just part? When you get the new drive, give it one partition, then start the Linux install. With my Mandrake Install, it gave you some partition options, before it installed the OS. Remember that a partition setup for Linux won't be seen in Windows (at least as far as I've seen).

[Garfield]

I don't want the whole drive dedicated to Linux. But, I do want the Linux OS to be installed on teh new drive with furture Linux software. But, I also want to continue to, say, install Windows programs on the new hard drive.

A friend said that for me to do this, I would need three partitions. One for Windows, the other for Linux, and the last for DOS (so Windows recognizes the new drive). Is this what I should do? Thanks...

--Garfield

[Wa11y]

First, let's get some clarification. Are you keeping the current hard drive in your system, and just using this new one as a slave, or completely replacing your current hard drive with this new one, and reinstalling windows and all your programs onto this new drive?

Also, how big is the new hard drive you're getting? How much room do you want for each?

Once we get these questions answered, we'll be able to help you much more.

[Garfield]

I'm keeping my current hard drive and making the new one a slave. So, I'm keeping Windows OS on the "old" one.

Space? Um...at least 40gig. Maybe 80gig if I see a good deal. Thanks!!!

[Wa11y]

Okay, then you'll only need TWO partitions. One for Linux to use, one for Windows to use. Determine how much you want to give to Linux. When you get the drive, fdisk it to one whole drive, with no partitions. Start the Linux installer, and tell it where to install to (hdb would be your second hard drive), and set it up. How to do that specifically, I have no idea. I couldn't get it to work. Might wanna check under "Alternative OSes." They should be FAR more helpful at the actual install of Linux.

[Garfield]

Somebody told me that I would need a third partition for DOS. This would only be so Windows can recognize the slave drive. Is this right?

And another thing, my friend told me when I install Linux, I'll need yet another partition for swap files, I think, for Linux. Is this correct?

Thanks...

--Garfield

[Wa11y]

You only need one partition to begin with: the Primary DOS partition. From there, all other Extended DOS partitions are setup. So first make a primary partition (the full 40GB), then do the Linux install.

Yeah, I think Linux does need a second partition for the swap file. But you do that at the same time you're setting up a primary Linux partition.

[Garfield]

So, I'll only need two partitions in all? On for Windows, the other for Linux? And then when I install Linux, it will "automatically" create a third parition for the swap files? Thanks...

--Garfield