Help with Linux Mandrake

[JL2k]

i,
I have just decided that I would like to install Linux on my windows machine. I would like to keep my existing windows installation. This is why I decided to use Linux Mandrake 7.0 which I found on May 2000's PC Plus cover disk. The reason for this is so I could use Linux4Win, which lets you install Linux on and existing Windows partition. I would make my own partition, but I don't want to for two reasons, the first one, is I don't know how, the second is that I have heard that if you make a mistake you can ruin your hard drive, which I don't really want to do, considering I only bought this machine in January.
I had previously installed it on my old machine :
300mhz AMD K6-2 3DNow processor,
64mb 66mhz SDRam,
8MB ATI Rage Pro graphics card,
3gb Hard Drive,
15" Monitor(Samsung Syncmaster 3),
Windows 98.
I now have a new machine on which I would like to install it :
900mhz PIII Processor,
128mb 133mhz SDRam,
32mb GeForce2 MX graphics card,
38gb Hard Drive,
17" Monitor(C777),
Windows ME.
I tried installing it with the custom installation at first, on the last step (Configure X) I got an error, which was :
an error occurred
lilo failed
I had no idea what this meant, and thought maybe it was a problem with one of the options I selected. So, I deleted that installation, and started over, this time I selected the reccommended installation which cut out half of the options I had to select, great I thought, it should work this time, but yet again I got the same error. I had already had enough problems, because Windows ME doesn't allow some DOS programs to be booted in Windows, so I had to use the Boot CD I got with my PC to make the PC boot up in DOS. The reason for this I don't know, as Windows 98 allowed me to do this! Anyway, I thought, I would try to get it to run on my old machine again, just to see if I was making a mistake somewhere. I did it exactly the same as on the newer pc, and it worked! I am totally stumped on why it doesn't work, and would really like some help.
I thank you for reading this far, and hope you can help me sort out my problem.
Thankyou,
Jamie Lyon
P.S. I have also tried copying the system from the old computer to the new one. It configures the hardware, then gets to the screen where it is about to load up the graphical interface, then starts flashing, and doesn't do anything. I think the problem could be incompatability with my graphics card or monitor. I also realise that Linux Mandrake 8.0 is out, but I can't afford to buy the CD(as I am 15, and at the moment don't have a job) and the 1GB download is a bit too big!! If this is the only way then I will do it, however, even if it is not, please tell me if this will fix it!

[scoobydope]

as much as you sound worried about the partition thing (yeah, if you screw it up you could find yourself having to re-install windows from scratch) I think that is probably the best way for you to go.

If you can get your hands on
partition magic from powerquest (http://www.powerquest.com/partitionmagic/pmdemo.html) it really helps with resizing. (i don't think the downloadable demo will actually do anything other than showoff)

Since you are running with a 38 gig drive, that's MORE than large enough to spare 8 gigs or so for linux. The experience of using linux in its virgin state (not ontop of windows) is going to be way more realistic and rewarding than linux4windows, or winux or whatever its called.

Then, if you are really paranoid about your windows boot record, don't even use lilo. Make a bootdisk for linux and skip the bootloader during setup.

Sorry, i know this didn't answer your question regarding the lilo problem in windows, but its just a suggestion. Take the plunge on it's own partition.

[JL2k]

Thankyou for your reply, if you have MSN Messenger, then if you could contact me on jamielyon2000@hotmail.com to help me with this then I would be very gratefull.
Thankyou,
Jamie

[rick420]

Im pretty new myself, but I could help you get this set up. If you dont want to spend 50 bucks on Partition Magic, you can erase your HD and use fdisk to set it up. If u have WinME on CD, it will be the easiest to erase all(format) and make 2 partitions--one for WinME and just save however much space you want for Linux.

The problem you are having on your newer machine is that the HD is bigger than 8 gigs. With older versions of Lilo (its a bootloader program) you had to put it in the first 8 gigs of your HD. Thats why you get the Lilo error on your new computer. What you should do is get a more current version of Mandrake like 7.2 or 8.0 which have newer versions of Lilo that allow you to install past the 8 gig limit.

Anyways, I dont have MSN, but I have AOL or ICQ---aol--rick420365, icq---81265913

drop me a message and I'll help u out :)

[irlandes]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by rick420:
[QB]If you dont want to spend 50 bucks on Partition Magic, you can erase your HD and use fdisk to set it up.
****************
For goodness' sakes don't anyone spend $50 for Partition Magic! For about $25, you can buy the entire Mandrake 7.2 package. Even though I am constantly bad mouthing 7.2, and begging for help, it does include an absolutely great graphic partition tool, the only part that has not even hiccupped, and you can hit the power switch after it is done if you don't want to try 7.2.

Also, if you install Drake 7.2, it uses GRUB as a boot loader, and it also seems to work fine, if you hit OK in Drakeconf when it shows you a bootloader box that makes no sense, to go to the default setup box.

irlandes@attgloblal.net

[JL2k]

Thankyou for your replies(I am downloading ICQ now :) ), but there are two problems, one being that I have Mandrake 7.0 not 7.2, and the second being that if I was to decide I no longer wanted linux, would I be able to delete that partition?
Thankyou,
Jamie

[655321]

I had the same problem with RH 7.0 boot loader, the version of lilo had to have the linux stuff at the begining. If you are going to be repartitioning, you would put a small windows partition at the begining of the hd, (I think mine was like 32 or 64 megs) This makes windows happy when you are installing it because it wants a partition at the beginning.

The next partition or partitions could be your linux partition or partitions, if you decide to do more than just / and swap (highly recommended). After that, use the rest for windows, or break it up into more than one.

I would recommend booting from the Mandrake cdrom, partitioning with their software in the ways I've outlined, and then turning off the computer and booting from the windows cdrom and install on the small partition at the begining, and the larger one after linux.

Anyone see any big problems with this? It's the way I set up my first system, and it worked fine for me.

[655321]

Originally posted by JL2k:
<STRONG>Thankyou for your replies(I am downloading ICQ now :) ), but there are two problems, one being that I have Mandrake 7.0 not 7.2, and the second being that if I was to decide I no longer wanted linux, would I be able to delete that partition?
Thankyou,
Jamie</STRONG>

Yes, you should be able to, once again, use mandrake's partitioning software to delete the partition, and then turn off the computer. Once you boot back into windows, I think it will show that parition as another drive on your hd, which you can format from my computer... I THINK.

[655321]

Oh, and by the way, I have a copy of mandrake 7.2 I can mail you, its both discs, I would just want enough money to cover the discs and shipping (like $5). Or, if you really really want me to and your really really nice to me, I can d/l 8.0 and burn for you, I have a cable modem so it shouldn't take more than an hour.

PM or email me if you are interested (jmchamp@iastate.edu)

[Coral Sea]

Yes, you can blow away the partition afterwards using:

- DiskDruid that comes with Mandy 7.x and 8.0

- fdisk under DOS

- PartionMagic

Also, I can't remember the URL, but there's a free partitioning tool downloadable from the Web that does what PartitionMagic does. I think if you search for partitioning software for Linux you'll get a hit.

Running Linux in a Windows directory will be much slower than running Linux on a proper Linux partition. If you decide to take the plunge, make sure you back up your data. Maybe you have a buddy who has DiskImage that you can borrow so you can image your C drive in case the unthinkable happens. Really, though, if you follow the screen prompts and take your time, you should be able to get through the full, real install without blowing away Windows. Mind you, blowing away Windows might be a good thing... :D

WARNING: I think DiskDruid in one of the Mandy 7.x releases had a bug that could corrupt your data on exisiting partitions. :(

[JL2k]

It's Linux Mandrake 7.0(the one I have) that has the error :o. The main thing I am worried about is that if I accidentally do something wrong, I ruin my HD, I don't mind losing my data, there is nothing I need on here at the moment anyway, I have only just formatted to get rid off all the junk!
Thanks,
Jamie

[655321]

Originally posted by JL2k:
<STRONG>It's Linux Mandrake 7.0(the one I have) that has the error :o. The main thing I am worried about is that if I accidentally do something wrong, I ruin my HD, I don't mind losing my data, there is nothing I need on here at the moment anyway, I have only just formatted to get rid off all the junk!
Thanks,
Jamie</STRONG>

You wont ruin your hard drive... Worst case scenario, you lose your data, but you just said that was okay.

[JL2k]

No chance at all, well that's a relief, I may try it then, and if it does erase the data, and I ruin this pc, then I always have the other one, that I can come online on, and you lot can help me ;) !
Thanks,
Jamie

[drakster]

Originally posted by JL2k:
<STRONG>Thankyou for your replies(I am downloading ICQ now :) ), but there are two problems, one being that I have Mandrake 7.0 not 7.2, and the second being that if I was to decide I no longer wanted linux, would I be able to delete that partition?
</STRONG>


Get rid of Linux?!?! Good Heavens!!! What for?!?!

:D

[scoobydope]

oh hell, I misread the first post,i thought you were worried about losing your data.

If you don't mind re-installing ME, then go for it! start from scratch.

There is no chance of you ruining your harddrive by screwing up the partitioning.
You may have to start from scratch a couple of times if you screw it up, but nothin wrong with repetition! :D

PS, i already downloaded the two CD's for mandrake 8.0

if you like, i can burn a couple copies and send em your way.

[irlandes]

Originally posted by JL2k:
<STRONG>Thankyou for your replies(I am downloading ICQ now :) ), but there are two problems, one being that I have Mandrake 7.0 not 7.2, and the second being that if I was to decide I no longer wanted linux, would I be able to delete that partition?
Thankyou,
Jamie</STRONG>

I at least was well aware you had 7, not 7.2. Did you notice that someone talked about spending $50 for a partition program? I was pointing out that for half that you could get a whole 7.2 program which includes a great graphic partition program, which will indeed let you resize your dos partition to its original size when you have emptied the files. I think there is a neat command called something like:

rm -f / though you may need a letter to force it down through the entire tree. Do a man rm command and read the man page.

Then, you would load in the install disk (I am talking 7.2, and I am betting 8.0 as well) and repartition it to where it was, which is nondestructive.

This posting was not for the original poster, but other newbies as well.

[JL2k]

I have just one more question. I live in the UK, and on next months PC Plus DVD, they are going to put on Linux Mandrake 8.0, I don't know whether to wait for this, or pay £13 from www.cheeplinux.com (http://www.cheeplinux.com) to get that package. PC Plus is £6 by the way.
Thankyou,
Jamie Lyon

[Coral Sea]

Thirteen pounds is a lot of money for a poor Canuck like me but you might want to blow the beer fund and buy Mandy 8. If you can wait, take up the offer made by another LNO'er and have the CDs mailed to you or wait until next month and buy the magazine version.

Mandy 8 is waaay better than Mandy 7 plus -- as far as I know -- it does not have the DiskDruid bug.

[scoobydope]

you live in the UK?

in that case, wait till next months mag comes out. 6 quid is going to be less than it would cost me to send these CD's to you, and you will probably see the mag on the shelf before you see the mail from me.

:)