Reformat during install?

[Dr. Shim]

If I tell Linux to create a partition on my hard disk will it delete all of its contents (the hard disk's)?

[ 26 July 2001: Message edited by: Dr. Shim ]

[The King Ant]

Actually creating a partition won't delete anything, because partitions are only created on empty space. Now, that empty space, you may have to delete a partition, which would delete everything on the partition you delete.

An example: If you have Win2k installed on the first 2GB of a hard drive, and then you have 8GB free, during the Linux install, don't touch the 2GB, just partition the 8GB and format the partitions you just created when it asks you. Doing that will leave the 2GB of Windows intact and unharmed.

[Dr. Shim]

I have a 38.1 GB hard drive. 18.3 is used, and 19.8 is free. Now Linux will take up that entire 19.8? Or will it be partitioned so I can install stuff on it still. Like if the 18.3 partition is full, can i install stuff on the 19.8? I hear that my Linux edition only takes up 1 GB.

[evulish]

Well, from MY knowledge, if you have the whole hard drive partitioned as one (even with free space on the partition), you'll have to resize it. If you're running win98 or something, you'll need to run defrag to clear up space at the end then resize the FAT partition or whatever to allow space to add a new partition. If you have spare cash and don't know what you're doing with partitioning, I'd recommend picking up a copy of Partition Magic (for win32). Or you might (depending on your distro) have a nice partitioner in the installation thing.

Also, tips for partitioning:

You'll need a swap space. I recommend 128MB of space.

You'll need a root directory (/). I'd recommend 5 gigs or so.

Then I guess you can have a /boot, about 10-20 megs or so.

OPTIONAL:

/home directory for keeping peoples data off of the main partition. Keep this pretty large.

Theres other partitions you can make but I can't think of em right now...

If you have lots of leftover space you want to change, add some to / and to /home if you'd like.

[Dr. Shim]

Hmm. Too many partitions. I'm the only one using this computer, so I was thinking of just having a Main partition, then a Linux partition. I'll install Linux on that partition. My distro is Mandrake 8.0, and I believe it comes with a really good partitioning system. :D

[evulish]

Then just have your main, linux, and swap.
You NEED a swap.

[Dr. Shim]

What would the swap partition be good for? http://common.ziffdavisinternet.com/util_get_image/0/0,3363,i%253D3197,00.gif

[ 27 July 2001: Message edited by: Dr. Shim ]