installing Linux on a unallocated partition

Noob2Linux · 10-03-2009, 09:05 AM

Good Morning all,
I am new to the forums, and have a question. First some background info on my system. It's running XP Media Center SP3, and I have created an unallocated partition.

Here's my question; I want to install Linux, specifically Mandriva, and I was wondering if it will automatically located and install itself to the unallocated partition? Or do I need to format it first?

I'm also planning on the doing the same thing with my VistaSP1 Laptop. any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,

shuuhen · 10-03-2009, 12:05 PM

It is still best to install on a separate physical hard drive, but the installer should be able to handle installing to unallocated space. You'd need Linux partitioning and formatting tools to set up what the Linux distro wants anyway (Linux doesn't use NTFS or FAT for its main partitions). There should be an option in the installer should be for using unallocated space on your hard drive.

10-03-2009, 09:05 AM	#1 (permalink)
Noob2Linux Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Oregon, USA Posts: 5 OS: xp sp3, Mint7	installing Linux on a unallocated partition Good Morning all, I am new to the forums, and have a question. First some background info on my system. It's running XP Media Center SP3, and I have created an unallocated partition. Here's my question; I want to install Linux, specifically Mandriva, and I was wondering if it will automatically located and install itself to the unallocated partition? Or do I need to format it first? I'm also planning on the doing the same thing with my VistaSP1 Laptop. any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,

10-03-2009, 12:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
shuuhen Manager Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 988 OS: Mac OS 9.1, Mac OS X 10.5.8, WinXP Pro, FreeBSD 6.0, Gentoo Linux My System	Re: installing Linux on a unallocated partition It is still best to install on a separate physical hard drive, but the installer should be able to handle installing to unallocated space. You'd need Linux partitioning and formatting tools to set up what the Linux distro wants anyway (Linux doesn't use NTFS or FAT for its main partitions). There should be an option in the installer should be for using unallocated space on your hard drive. __________________ Has it been a few days since I replied to your thread? Don't panic! I'm a busy college student and may forget a post if I'm extra busy (or it might just take me a while to be able to do a decent reply). If you still need help and are awaiting my reply after a few days, PM me about it. When posting what errors you get, please give the full message. It makes helping you much easier.