Installing FC3 with existing WinXP

dis-array · #1 30th January 2005, 11:33 PM

Sorry if this sounds rather ignorant, but I have become confused in all of my research. I would like to install FC3 on a single drive system that has WinXP installed. I do not want to lose my XP installation. Does the install process autimatically handle a non-destructive repartition? Some of what I have read seems to indicate this. Other stuff I have read indicates that special software is required (ie PartitionMagic) to create a new partition then proceed with the FC3 install.
Can someone please provide me with some accurate info here? I think that I have all the necessary steps straight for either method, I just need to know which path is the one to take.
Thanks.

Th3 M3xican · #2 31st January 2005, 12:30 AM

You can install FC3 on the Same HD as XP. Here is what my partitions look like when I partitoned it with Partiton Magic
1st- C: Drive (Windows and Windows apps)
2nd- /boot partition (only 120 megs Ex3 File system)
3rd- / (10 gigs ex3)
4th- linux swap (1 gig)
When installing FC3 when it asks you if you want to partition manually or do it automaticly select Manually. Then select your boot partition and hit format and make it /boot and format it as Ex3. Do it for the same for your 3rd partition except make it / and format it Ex3. For your swap partition do the same except format it as swap.

dis-array · #3 31st January 2005, 01:35 AM

So I would need to modify my existing partition (full drive Win XP NTFS) with a program like Partition Magic before continuing with the installation, then from there it is best to perform the "installation" partitioning manually?

imdeemvp · #4 31st January 2005, 03:41 AM

You will need to create free space meaning you need to rezise your xp partitions with partition magic. Leave as free space and install fc3 during partitioning select automatic partitioning and use "free space".

killaweegee · #5 31st January 2005, 06:02 AM

or if you have knppix downloaded and on cd boot to it and use QT parted to repartion your drive. It's the linux version of partion magic.

dis-array · #6 1st February 2005, 12:26 AM

killaweegee, thanks for the info - I'm not too sure where I would get a copy of Partition Magic, I don't want to shell out $40-$50 for it. I've located the sites for knoppix and QT parted. I noted that QT parted does support NTFS changes, I need to do some research as far as getting everything in place to get this app working though. Looks like I need to compile it, after having all the required libraries/modules/programs installed. Do you think that this is a viable option for a relative newbie to Linux? I'm willing to do the research to find out exactly what I need to do, but do you think if I get QT parted successfully compiled and running that I will be at much greater risk of hosing my system than if I had Partition Magic? Thanks.

killaweegee · #7 1st February 2005, 12:34 AM

no compiling needed. Just download knoppix. http://www.knoppix.org/ Then boot to the cd and under the menu uptions u will find qt parted. The program is ready to use. Just select your ntfs partion and select the size you want to resize it. Just be sure to defragment the windows drive before doing this and also backup any really important docs just in case.

corebeast · #8 1st February 2005, 11:25 AM

Hi:
I installed RH and FC more than 200 times. I had no problems with multi-boot. Until I tried to install FC3 - Nov. 2004 version an a hard drive with WIN 98 in the first partition (hda1) and WIN XP in (hda2) Idid the partitioning with DiskGen in DOS.
When I try to install FED CORE 3 I get error messages, after the keyboard selection. I need to exit the install procedure.
The install works perfect on an unpartitioned harddrive.

I then triend FDISK and had the same poblem.
Has anyone seen the same problem?

corebeast · #9 1st February 2005, 11:29 AM

Why buy a $ 60.00 Partition Magic, when you can buy a 40G hard drive for $ 40.00 ?
Just hook up a new drive.
I use DiskGen for partitioning under DOS

corebeast · #10 1st February 2005, 11:31 AM

Why are you using 1GB swap?
Oh I know - you probably have 500 MB RAM? Or?

corebeast · #11 1st February 2005, 11:36 AM

HI: I would not install a LINUX on a HD which has XP or WINX already on it.
I would disconnect the drive with XP and hook up a new drive to IDE 0 and install LINUX. Then I would hook up the drive with XP to IDE1 and configure GRUB to boot XP or Linux.

Th3 M3xican · #12 1st February 2005, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corebeast

Why are you using 1GB swap?
Oh I know - you probably have 500 MB RAM? Or?

Why not? I have 512 MB RAM but I also have plenty of room on my HD

dis-array · #13 1st February 2005, 11:55 PM

Sweet success! Thanks killaweegee. I love a good, free solution. Now off to get FC3 installed and dual boot working.

corebeast · #14 2nd February 2005, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Th3 M3xican

Why not? I have 512 MB RAM but I also have plenty of room on my HD

It is not the matter of room, the larger the partition is, the longer is the distance the arms of hard drives have to travel.
result: Lower life expectancy and slower access

There is an optimal amount around 2xRAM (for smaller machines)
on larger RAM this factor moves from 2 on downward