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Thread: Linux/partitioning discussion

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    Senior Member ajbrun's Avatar
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    Question Linux/partitioning discussion

    Over easter, I'd like to make my system dual boot to run windows XP and linux - probably mandrake. Basically, I'm going to reformat my PC, and start a fresh. I will need to know how many partitions to make, and of what sizes. I've been told that linux will need 3 partitions, then after that, I'm not sure if I should have windows and my programs separatly or together. So far I'm thinking separatly. Therefore, using my 120GB HDD, I've come up with this:

    Linux (/) - size = ?
    Linux (boot) - size = ?
    Linux (other 1) - size = ?
    Windows - 10GB
    Programs - Rest

    As you can see, I need a bit of help with the linux partitions.

    When doing the installation(s), am I correct in saying I install linux first, and then windows?

    Windows uses a system registry. As far as I know, linux does not. Therefore am I right when I say that I can change the linux distro when ever I want, and it will not effect any of my programs? I know you can't do that with windows - each program has to be installed to the OS, but can you with linux?

    Basically, I'm a linux n00b and need to know anything that might help to get me started. Thanks .

  2. #2
    Bigger than Jesus Norky's Avatar
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    You don't need a boot partition if the linux install is going at the very top of your partition table.

    Linux /
    Linux Swap (at least 1gb I reckon)
    Windows

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    Senior Member ajbrun's Avatar
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    What do you mean by the "top of the partition table"? Does that mean that boots first by default? To start with, I think I want windows to boot first by default, but I may want to change that later.

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    You should install Windows first, then Linux. If you install Windows second it will overwrite the MBR no matter it's contents the stupid bloody thing. That said if you know how to restore the MBR so you get your bootloader back by all means install Linux first, you'll get a far better setup manager.
    To err is human. To really foul things up ... you need a computer.

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    Senior Member ajbrun's Avatar
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    OK, thanks for the help guys . I'll probably download my chosen distro on Monday, so are there any last suggestions? At the moment, I have mandrake in mind, but if you think that's not very good for a first time user, or you can think of a better one tell me and why.

    Thanks.

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    Comfortably Numb directhex's Avatar
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    mandrake is great for a first-time user. if you start feeling restricted by it, then it's probably time to move on.

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    Senior Member ajbrun's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by directhex
    mandrake is great for a first-time user. if you start feeling restricted by it, then it's probably time to move on.
    I was hoping you'd drop by .

    Does what you just said mean that you can easily change the distro without changing any of your programs? I don't think you actually "install" prorams in linux, but if you change the "distro" of windows - ie go from 98 to XP, then you'd have to reinstall all programs (i think). Is that the same for linux, or can you easily change if I find I become "restricted"?

    Also, I believe it was you who has just done an article on gaming in linux. Many people have told me just to not bother trying linux if I want games on it. The main reason of changing to linux is to try something new and to learn something different. I don't want to have one OS for applications, and another for games. Is it "easyish" to install games to mandrake? I don't expect it to be something as easy as simply running an installer, but I don't want a linux god scratching his head at the idea either.

    One last thing. When I start "installing" programs to linux, do I need special linux "installers"?

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    Civilian Nick F's Avatar
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    I just installed suse 9.2 on my windows partition, I saved some space at the end of the partition and the setup did it all for me. In total it took just over a hour to install and I gotta say I love it.

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    Senior Member ajbrun's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Famished
    I just installed suse 9.2 on my windows partition, I saved some space at the end of the partition and the setup did it all for me. In total it took just over a hour to install and I gotta say I love it.
    Do you still have windows too?

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    SuSE's YAST setup manager will resize a NTFS partition for you so you can create additional reiser (or whatever file system) partition(s) for Linux. Other distros do this too. I'd recommend SuSE.
    To err is human. To really foul things up ... you need a computer.

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    Senior Member ajbrun's Avatar
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    OK, I'm stil pretty sure I want to go ahead with this. I just need to know partition sizes, and how many I need. Out of suse and mandrake, which handles games best?

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    Agent of the System ikonia's Avatar
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    ajbrun

    there isn't really one distro that handles games better than others, although some distros have special kernels tweaked towards supporting "gaming gaphics cards"

    To be honest if you want to play games, at its current development state, linux is not the OS to go with.


    The file system partition sizes are pretty much your own call, on how big you want the system.

    Use the same principals as a windows OS if that helps.
    It is Inevitable.....


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    Senior Member ajbrun's Avatar
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    Right, I understand that then. If I find that linux isn't the thing for me, is it easy to delete the linux partition(s), and then merge them into the windows partition?

    I'd like to have a go with linux, and I also believe that it'd just be a useful skill to have.

  14. #14
    Agent of the System ikonia's Avatar
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    yup, easy to blow away he linux partitions and merge back to windows.

    My only advice is for your first linux jump try to keep it simple. Have 1 big partition for linux and then the swap space parition after it

    so....
    windows
    linux
    linux-swap

    you can do more advanced paritioning stuff one your more ontop of it.
    It is Inevitable.....


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    Senior Member ajbrun's Avatar
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    What's that swap-space for?

    EDIT - as far as I can see, there are 2 main distros that are recommended for me. Suse and mandrake. what are the differences between the two?

    I'm hoping to download one of them tomorrow .
    Last edited by ajbrun; 06-03-2005 at 06:00 PM.

  16. #16
    Agent of the System ikonia's Avatar
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    swap partition is the same as the swap file in windows, its just managed on a seperate partition under linux, don't worry about it. you can still delete it.

    The differences between linux distro's are the way the install and the default base components and kernel. you can make them as similar or different as you like.

    I'd personally go with mandrake if this is your first go at linux. Nice and friendly.
    It is Inevitable.....


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