Mandrake Prob.?

[Trigger-X]

Ok. I got Mandrake 7.2 Complete and I was running the installation until i got to the part where it says if you want to Remove Windows, Use the Space left of the Windows partition(I think that is what it said) or Expert mode. So I clicked the one to use the space left on the Windows partition. And i came up with an error that said some FAT thing and all kinds of junk. I knew I should have written it down. Anyways I pushed the same button again and I got the same error and then clicked the same button again... And it was working. So then it gave me the stuff about run scandisk and defrag I already did that before then It kinda frooze so I couldent push the OK button so i restrated and I'm back in Windows. What Happened? and should I try to install again? I really dont want the partition to mess up cause I dont want all my data lost. I backed up important data but i still dont want to loose everything. :confused:

[slapNUT]

It's asking you if you want to install it in <Windows> or <Resize Windows Partition> or <Expert Mode>. You are selecting to install in Windows. This isn't a real Linux install but a virtual/slower one. I would suggest you select to <Resize Win Partition> and try installing that way.

[Trigger-X]

uhhhhh. I'm a bit confused the way I did it was I put the disc in then immedtly put the disc in then went restart then it restarted and and then Linux Install thing went on... Are you saying to put the disc in while Windows is running? :confused:

[Dan Duane]

It's a bit hard to say what it is going on by what you stated, I'd try it again, write down what ever you didn't understand and re-post. If I we're you; back-up, fdisk your HDD and leave 2GB+ free space for Linux, then have Mandrake use the un-allocated space for itself. It'll give Win 9x a fresh scrub in the process, so double bonus for you. Let me know what you think before you act....

[Trigger-X]

Well I have an HP so they give you there recovery discs... So I put my Important files like My Documents,Download setups,Links... etc... I still dont want to get rid of Windows though... And I dont want to back up every single file on CD-R's because that would a lot of CD-R's I have 30.6 gig hard drive and using 6 gigs... 6gigs on CD-R's?! So I dont really understand when someone says back up your files... I guess i could try install again. And if the error comes up I will write it down. I just would hate to loss my data even now i have most of the important stuff backed up...

[slapNUT]

uhhhhh. I'm a bit confused the way I did it was I put the disc in then immedtly put the disc in then went restart then it restarted and and then Linux Install thing went on... Are you saying to put the disc in while Windows is running?

No what I am saying is the screen where you have to choose your install method has four choices.
<Remove Windows>
<Window Install> or something like that
<Resize Windows Partition>
<Expert Mode>

You seem to be choosing to install a Windows Install which is a virtual Linux that run within the Windows environment and is really slow.

I suggest you choose
<Resize Windows Partition>
option, and that should work. I have Mandrake on an HP Pavillion and it works fine.

[ 18 March 2001: Message edited by: slapNUT ]

[Trigger-X]

Ok. What I did is went to start then it gave you shut down,restart etc... what I did is put the installtion disc in then quick went "Restart". Then it booted up and the Linx thing came up etc... it didnt even go into windows... What do you mean by Resize window partion etc... I'm really new at this and I really dont know what i'm doing... So if some one could help me i would really apperciate it... Thanks!

[slapNUT]

What I mean is that you have a hard drive and Windows owns the entire drive. When you are installing Mandrake it is telling you, you have some choices to make on how you install.

1. Remove Windows or Erase entire disk
2. Install on the Windows Partition which is Lin4win. This doesn't seem to be working for you.
3. Resize the Windows Partition. <- This is good choice
4. Expert mode. <- This is good too

You need to resize your Windows partition to make room for Linux. Don't let it worry you it's not that difficult, and like you said you have the restore CD's for Windows if something goes wrong.

[Trigger-X]

Ok. I will try a second time. If something goes wrong is there any other way to get out of the installation besides restarting?

[Trigger-X]

Ok. I tried to install again and I remebered the screen setup.... I booted up with the Linux-Mandrake disc in the drive then it came up to choose my language(English (US)) then it came up with the Introduction and Terms so I clicked accept. Then it came up with the menu "The DarkX partitioning wizard found the following solutions:
Remove Windows (TM)
Use Free Space on Windows Partion
Expert Mode
So I clicked on "Expert Mode" and it gave me the confusing parition thing. I Dont know how to use it and I'm really new to this so I got out of that and clicked on "Use Free Space on Windows Partion" I didnt get the error but it frooze again... So I restarted.... back to were I was >_< Should I just partition my drive with some other software before or...? I'm really confused :confused: and by the way I have Linux-Mandrake 7.2 Complete so some options may be diffrent for diffrent verisons of Mandrake. Help!

[navy-linux]

Go with the use free space on the drive. it will be most hassle free installation for you. You need to understand Linux a little more before you try an expert install.
Doing an expert install, you will be asked many questions about your system, that if you do not have the correct info, you could end up in lossing data, and taking days to install instead of a couple of hours.

:rolleyes:

[Trigger-X]

Ok. I found a Installtion tutorial on http://www.linux-mandrake.com and it really helps I will try to install tommorrow. It showed how to use DiskDrak the partionting tool so I think I know what I need to do... If I post another message You will probably wont know it screwed up again... ;)