Backup Hard Drive Before Linux Install???

[LilBlueDawg]

Hey guys, im a newbie to Linux and i am planing to duel-boot Mandrake 8.2 with my Windows XP. I was wondering if i should backup my hard drive 1st, and if so, what program should i use to do so. Did any of you guys backup??? Thanks, any comments welcome.

[michaelk]

Just my thoughts:
I would always backup data you really do not want to lose and any application/OS updates etc that you don't have on CD already.

If anything goes awry you will have to reinstall XP and then all of the apps, updates, data, etc.

This is the quickest and probably the easiest.

I don't have XP so I don't know what kind of backup software comes with it. I have Drive Image which makes a complete backup of the partition.

I have installed and reinstalled linux many times on many computers and have not lost any data. I always use the expert mode so that I have complete control on which partitions linux is loaded on.

[nomo_green]

backup is always a good idea, and should be done on a regular basis. you can backup up individual files, or do a full image copy to cd or harddrive.

norton ghost and drive image are the 2 most popular drive imaging programs. they make a bit by bit copy of the partition (exact copy). it spans this copy over several cd's or on to another hard drive. you don't have to reinstall the os or anything else since it makes an exact copy of the partition.

after saying all that, you should be just fine not backing up. just make sure you create a seperate partition for linux, ext2 or ext3, and a swap partition. then just make sure configure lilo or grub (grub is nicer) to dual boot XP (which by default is called DOS) and linux (install lilo or grub on Master Boot Record). it's very simple.