Linux Linux installation with a twist...

Discussion in 'Software' started by Tomm, 24 Oct 2004.

  1. Tomm

    Tomm I also ride trials :¬)

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    Right. I want to go about installing linux for the second time on my PC. The first time I had tremendous difficulty, but this time I hope I will be more successful. If anyone's particulary interested, there is a thread here documenting all my difficulties. But anyway, we're digressing.

    I have my PC at the moment, which is running WinXP just nicely. At the moment I have

    16Gb windows partition (NTFS)
    99Gb "Media" partition (NTFS)
    5GB free space - unassigned (Going to be split into 1Gb linux swap file and 4gb linux installation)

    Basically, I have a few issues. Firstly, obviously, this is not a full restart. I have stuff install on my hard drive that a) I want to keep, and b) I want to be able to access from linux. I want to install Mandrake. I have it downloaded and I want to basically make sure that it all goes smoothly. I just basically want any tips that will help me make this installation go smoothly.

    I need to get back to windows after I've installed Mandrake. This is the main point... Windows will still (unfortunately) be my main OS, so I need to be able to access it. I basically need any pointers that will ensure that a) Mandrake is installed properly, and b) that I can get back to windows after the installation.

    One final question: I have an ATI graphics card. I am not bothered about gaming performance within my linux partition (It won't be used for games, yet), but I do need a picture on my screen. Will the drivers be automatically found, or do I have to do something special?

    Thankyou :)
     
  2. woodshop

    woodshop UnSeenly

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    ok

    you'll have no problem with the install.

    mandrake will auto partition the free space (including making the swap)

    when you get to the point. Tell mandrake to install the boot loader to the MBR. Also on that screen you'll see that it should have found the windows install it'll be called eather Other or Dos.

    It will auto make sure that the boot loader is configured to boot into windows if you want to.

    as for the graphics card is concerned. 99% of ati are supported for 2D 3D is another area.

    I will be auto detected. monitor may not though but you can select it manually or use the generic one.
     
  3. Un_Trained

    Un_Trained What's a Dremel?

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    I have mandrake and Windows installed. Just make sure you install the boot menu thing. Works great for me. Mandrake is a great operating system for first time linuxers. If you need anymore help just ask it! :rock:
     
  4. solar

    solar What's a Dremel?

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    You'll be able to read your NTFS partitions, but not write to them. NTFS support under Linux is not yet advanced to the point where it can safely write.
     
  5. Go4t

    Go4t i

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    mandrake 10 does have ntfs read support built in so you will at least be able to get files off the other partition

    there is an experimental ntfs write program that uses wine to emulate the file (forget the name atm) needed to write to ntfs
     
  6. Tomm

    Tomm I also ride trials :¬)

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    I have it sorted now, my "Media" partition is converted to FAT32. So it's all good (Except slightly slower from within windows?).

    And the Linux install went great - no hiccups.
     
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