Installing Linux with a previous dual-boot. Thanks!

[*Drew*]

right now i have one 30GB hard drive partitioned into two 15GB partitions.
I have Win2000 Pro on the C: and Win ME on the D:
i just bought Linux(for the manuals and such) and was wondering how i can set it up on my system. I read in the manual but am still a lil confused. im a linux n00b. can i install linux safely on either my c: or d: or do i have to partition some more? im not worried about performance i just want to learn linu right now. Thanks!
-Drew

[trekker]

Hi! Welcome!

I'm a newbie too! :)

I'm assuming you want to install a full fledged linux distro... that is not running it from windoze. (what distro did you get?)

The installation guide for your distro is probably the best resource for successfully installing your distro. To answer your question, you need to make space for linux i.e. a separate partition for linux.

And since you have windoze on your box, you will be having a multi-boot system.

Hope that this (http://www.linuxnewbie.org/nhf/intel/installation/index.html) and this (http://www.linuxnewbie.org/nhf/intel/osbooting/index.html) can help you.

Post back if you run into problems.

[Dark Ninja]

Yeah, if you are installing a full fledged distro, you will need at least two other partitions. One Linux partition (EXT2) and one Swap partition.


Dark Ninja

[*Drew*]

ok thanks guys!!
i really didnt want to reformat/partition right now. i have RedHat Linux 7.1
is there any way to install it without having to disturb my previous configuration?
i read something about a boot disk but it confused the heck outta me! that would be fine for now though. i was just wondering if it was possible to experiment with linux without having to reformat my existing configuration? just to learn it for the first time. i heard it can overwrite nt/2000 files. would it be safe to somehow put it on my D: with ME on it also?
thanks again for the help! you guys are great.