Which Install to use (please help Newbie)

[Milan]

Im new to Linux and this board. I ordered Mandrake 8.1. Among the installation options is to partition and install linux, or use winLinux, where by i use linux within windows. What do you recommend for a newbie? I have win Me and a 20g drive, about 12g used.
Also do you recommend i add another drive and install on that? I have enough windows problems as it is, which is why id like tolearn linux
Thanx

[sarah31]

Though I have never used it I am under the impression winLinux is not the easiest thing to use. I would recommend installing linux on it's own partition. If windows partitioned to use the entire disk you may need to create free space first with a program such as Partition Magic or fdisk. I have never had to install Linux on a disk that had no room for it before so others may have to help you there. When using any partition tool just make sure you backup your important files and settings first! Good Luck!

[X_console]

Purchase Partition Magic and use it to safely partition your system without losing any data. You can then install Linux on it's own partition. Linux will not run well unless it's on it's native fileystem.

[DMR]

I agree with both sarah31 and X_console. If you really want to learn Linux, don't go the "Lin-for-Win" route; install the standalone version.

As previously stated, if you want to install it on your current Windows drive, you'll have to use a non-destructive partition manager such as Partition magic, Ranish Partition Manager, or fips to shrink your Win partition and create Linux-native partitions. Partition Magic is a commercial product, and will cost you about $70 USD. The later two are freely available downloads.

Hard drives being as cheap a they are, I would go with your idea of installing a second drive and putting Mandrake on that.
Personally, I've found it to be more bulletproof that way.

Either way you choose to do it, you can configure one of the Linux boot loaders (grub or lilo) that come with Mandrake to dual-boot the OSs.

By the way- welcome to LNO!

:)

[ 07 November 2001: Message edited by: DMR ]

[camelrider]

When I had Win95 I was able to use Mandrake's (7.0) partitioning utility to re-size my Windows partition without buying a separate copy of Partition Magic.
It is best to defrag your Win partition first.
Also, remember to leave some space on your Win partition for growth, dynamic swap, etc.
If money isn't tight, however, Partition Magic is very nice. So are more harddrives!
;)

[Ludootje]

Originally posted by Milan:
<STRONG>Among the installation options is to partition and install linux, or use winLinux, where by i use linux within windows. What do you recommend for a newbie?</STRONG>
huh? winlinux on the mandrake8.1 cd's? where have you seen that??