Help with Linux

ajaville · 03-14-2006, 09:15 PM

I have a laptop (<1 wk old) and i want to install windows and linux (redhat) together, how do I go about doing that? Is it better to install Linux on an external hdd and how do i do that. I already have win xp pro on my computer. detailed answer will be a plus.

duane534 · 03-15-2006, 01:39 AM

Defragment your Windows partition in Windows, shrink the partition (probably by 50%), make a new partition in the new blank space, and install Linux. Considering your apparent situation and experience, I'd recomment Mandriva.

TheChef · 03-15-2006, 01:41 AM

If you don't want to lose data you're going to need to get a program like PartitionMagic (the full version) or something like that to resize.

duane534 · 03-15-2006, 01:46 AM

Mandriva has the tool built in. That's mainly why I recommend it. Once you have the partitions set up, you can use whatever you want. The only problem with having it on the same disk is that if you have to run the Windows installer AGAIN, it will hang when it sees the non-M$ partition.

TheChef · 03-15-2006, 02:00 AM

Really? It can resize Windows Partitions? I haven't used the 2005 or 2006 versions, only up to 10.1, but I haven't seen that. I'll have to look into that and maybe do a little upgrade. Thanks for the headsup

.

Veurruckte · 03-15-2006, 03:32 AM

QTParted can resize partitions, and it's free. It's included in Knoppix and many other distros.

If you need even more detail on how to dual boot; there are plenty of detailed resources on the web, which can be found using google.

03-14-2006, 09:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
ajaville New Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2	Help with Linux I have a laptop (<1 wk old) and i want to install windows and linux (redhat) together, how do I go about doing that? Is it better to install Linux on an external hdd and how do i do that. I already have win xp pro on my computer. detailed answer will be a plus. Last edited by ajaville; 03-14-2006 at 09:23 PM.

03-15-2006, 01:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
TheChef Diamond Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: New York Age: 17 Posts: 1,383	If you don't want to lose data you're going to need to get a program like PartitionMagic (the full version) or something like that to resize. __________________ Athlon 64 3000+ Venice -- MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum Asus nVidia GeForce 6600 -- Corsair ValueSelect 1024mb Seagate 120GB Barracuda -- Xoxide X-Clear Case FOR SALE http://www.computerforum.com/showthread.php?t=47630 http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=mzvideos

03-15-2006, 02:00 AM	#5 (permalink)
TheChef Diamond Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: New York Age: 17 Posts: 1,383	Really? It can resize Windows Partitions? I haven't used the 2005 or 2006 versions, only up to 10.1, but I haven't seen that. I'll have to look into that and maybe do a little upgrade. Thanks for the headsup. __________________ Athlon 64 3000+ Venice -- MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum Asus nVidia GeForce 6600 -- Corsair ValueSelect 1024mb Seagate 120GB Barracuda -- Xoxide X-Clear Case FOR SALE http://www.computerforum.com/showthread.php?t=47630 http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=mzvideos

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

03-15-2006, 01:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
duane534 Silver Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 123	Defragment your Windows partition in Windows, shrink the partition (probably by 50%), make a new partition in the new blank space, and install Linux. Considering your apparent situation and experience, I'd recomment Mandriva.

03-15-2006, 01:46 AM	#4 (permalink)
duane534 Silver Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 123	Mandriva has the tool built in. That's mainly why I recommend it. Once you have the partitions set up, you can use whatever you want. The only problem with having it on the same disk is that if you have to run the Windows installer AGAIN, it will hang when it sees the non-M$ partition.

03-15-2006, 03:32 AM	#6 (permalink)
Veurruckte Silver Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Age: 17 Posts: 240	QTParted can resize partitions, and it's free. It's included in Knoppix and many other distros. If you need even more detail on how to dual boot; there are plenty of detailed resources on the web, which can be found using google.