hd.img vs. hdreiser.img

[cderst]

Hello

I'm about to install LM 7.2 from my single partitioned 20GB hard drive (FAT32). I've downloaded all of the files under the Mandrake directory off FTP. So when making the boot disk (I have no CD yet), I know that hd.img is used for hard disk installations. But I haven't had any luck finding what hdreiser.img does other than install linux w/ the reiser filesys.

Now how can I install LM from the Hard Disk and the Reiser filesystem at the same time and which boot disk should I use?

Last thing...I have Partition Magic 5 and have resized my FAT32 partition and created an ext2 partition. Now, what difference would it make if I had used FIPS (previously recommened?)

Once again, thanks

[cderst]

help please... http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/frown.gif

[atl2ptown]

with regards to your first question i have no idea; i always buy the cd for ease of use. But you should definitley use PM5 over fips, because fips was risky when it was the only way to resize partitions, and it only accepts 4 partitions per drive.

[cderst]

okay...ill stick with my PM5 partitions

but let me make the first question a little easier to understand.

Since I dont have a mandrake cd yet (I will like after 4 weeks http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/frown.gif ) I went ahead and downloaded everything for the base installation onto my hard drive (all files residing on the single FAT32 partition).

Now, in order to boot up the installation program, I need to make a boot disk with the image files (like cd.img for those who dont have bootable cdroms). On the Mandrake FTPs/mirrors, there is, under images/, two .img files--hd.img and hdreiser.img.

Which one should I use if I'm going to install Mandrake 7.2 from the hard drive AND install the Reiser FS?

Under the install readme file, it just says that hd.img is used for hard drive installations, whereas hdreiser.img is used if you want to install the reiser file system. But it doesnt clarify things enough...is the hdreiser.img file used when someone has the cd? can it be used for a hard drive installation?

Last question (off topic to above) which distro is good for laptops? I've heard Debian has a special distro just for laptops...is this good? hard to use? come with the latest xfree server thingy 4.01?

cheers,
CDG

[bleg26]

You want reiserfs as your file system? When you put in your installation boot disk(hd.img works fine), choose 'custom' or 'expert' for your installation type. When you get to setting up your HD, select your ext2 partition and change it to reiserfs(almost all the way to the bottom of the list). Also make sure you have a SWAP partition(should equal the amount of RAM you have). Continue to install.

EDIT: BTW, if you use reiserfs, you will not beable to resise it using PM5, or the new PM6 for that matter. Make sure you have the partition set to the amount you want before formatting it as reiserfs.

[This message has been edited by bleg26 (edited 28 November 2000).]

[bleg26]

MDK7.2 works great for my laptop. Using it now for posting this message.

[cderst]

a thousand thanks bleg26

so im assuming it is okay to have an ext2 partition (made by pm5) before going into installation and that during the installation, the filesys will change to reiser when i select it.

but, since i will be dual booting, i guess that pm5 wont recognize the reiserfs in win32 and that i will have to disable the bootmagic stuff and instead use lilo.

is this correct?

if so, im ready to get started soon

thanks again!

[bleg26]

When you install lilo(or GRUB), it will automatically disable BootMagic. I personally use GRUB, because it has a menu system to choose between linux, windows, and a few extras.