Need some help on installing a dual boot setup?

PhoenixSlayerSX · 12-09-2006, 06:46 PM

Hi All!

I'm new to Linux, so pardon my ignorance. Anyways, here's the basic scenario.

System Specs:

OS: Windows XP
Master Hard drive: WD- 120 GB
Slave Hard drive: Maxtor- 40 GB (shows up as 34 GB for some reason)
RAM: 512 MB
CPU: Intel 3.0 GHz

I have about 10 GB free on the 120 GB hard drive, and about 7 GB free on the 40 GB one. I have already downloaded and burned a bootable (ISO) DVD for Slackware Linux 11.0 (i want to try it out).

What's the best way that I can do this to make a dual-boot system, w/o erasing my current data on the hard drives??

(Since partitioning to accomodate for the dual-boot system would erase all data)

**K-B** · 12-09-2006, 06:59 PM

Hello, welcome to TSF!
You'll have to create partitions for Linux. One partition for the actual installation, and one for swap (pagefile). You can use software like Norton Partition Magic to do that without losing data. Or free software like SystemRescueCD (also many Linux distributions come with a partitioner). You should not lose data, although you'll want to back up any important files before you partition. You will also want to defragment your current partitions before you make any new ones. You might have been better off trying a distro like the Ubuntu family or PCLinuxOS that are more new-user-friendly. While I've never personally used Slackware, it has a reputation for being better suited for advanced users.

PhoenixSlayerSX · 12-09-2006, 07:07 PM

I have a free partitioner called Partition Logic. Will that allow me to make partitions w/o loss of data?

**K-B** · 12-09-2006, 07:17 PM

Yes, that is correct. What you'll want to do is resize the partition that you want to make free space from, (make it smaller). Then with the space you just freed up, make a new partition. Remember to defragment first, as you increase the risk of corrupting data if you don't.

12-09-2006, 06:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
PhoenixSlayerSX Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 16 OS: Windows XP SP1a	Need some help on installing a dual boot setup? Hi All! I'm new to Linux, so pardon my ignorance. Anyways, here's the basic scenario. System Specs: OS: Windows XP Master Hard drive: WD- 120 GB Slave Hard drive: Maxtor- 40 GB (shows up as 34 GB for some reason) RAM: 512 MB CPU: Intel 3.0 GHz I have about 10 GB free on the 120 GB hard drive, and about 7 GB free on the 40 GB one. I have already downloaded and burned a bootable (ISO) DVD for Slackware Linux 11.0 (i want to try it out). What's the best way that I can do this to make a dual-boot system, w/o erasing my current data on the hard drives?? (Since partitioning to accomodate for the dual-boot system would erase all data)

12-09-2006, 06:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
K-B Moderator, Linux Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NY Posts: 2,876 OS: Vista, Ubuntu My System	Hello, welcome to TSF! You'll have to create partitions for Linux. One partition for the actual installation, and one for swap (pagefile). You can use software like Norton Partition Magic to do that without losing data. Or free software like SystemRescueCD (also many Linux distributions come with a partitioner). You should not lose data, although you'll want to back up any important files before you partition. You will also want to defragment your current partitions before you make any new ones. You might have been better off trying a distro like the Ubuntu family or PCLinuxOS that are more new-user-friendly. While I've never personally used Slackware, it has a reputation for being better suited for advanced users. __________________

12-09-2006, 07:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
K-B Moderator, Linux Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NY Posts: 2,876 OS: Vista, Ubuntu My System	Yes, that is correct. What you'll want to do is resize the partition that you want to make free space from, (make it smaller). Then with the space you just freed up, make a new partition. Remember to defragment first, as you increase the risk of corrupting data if you don't. __________________

12-09-2006, 07:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
PhoenixSlayerSX Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 16 OS: Windows XP SP1a	I have a free partitioner called Partition Logic. Will that allow me to make partitions w/o loss of data?