Linux student driver wannabe, needs keys

[olopbob]

I thought I could just install Mandrake or Redhat on my 60 gig hard drive, so I could learn the O/S. I had XP partitioned and Partitionmagic and Bootmagic to do the rest. Well, that was two weeks ago, and now all I need is a link to give me step by step instructions. I have spent hours just trying to change a NTFS partition back to FAT32, so that tells my sorry story. So if there is a place (link, webpage or guru) to go, I have backups made and am ready to reformat. (will still need Partitionmagic ).One link, all I ask is one link, but be forewarned, I will return, GRANDMASTERS.

Note: Why do I get asked to hit any key to boot to my only O/S after partitioning, when there is no where else to go?

[Jiggy]

i cant just give you one link, and not just two, ill give you many.

linkone (http://www.linuxnewbie.org/) is a Linux newbie site.
linktwo (http://www.linux-mandrake.com/en/doc/82/en/user.html/p468.html) shows you what you will see when setting up Mandrake, step by step.
linkthree (http://www.mandrakeuser.org/index.php) is the Mandrake user page.
hope these get you started...:D

[olopbob]

Thanks, one more question, Well since I'm reformatting, should I just go with FAT32 to avoid future conflicts? Space is no problem, and I really need to share files and programs between O/S's if that matters between NTFS and FAT32 using XP and Mandrake.

[Jiggy]

on the "need to share files and programs between O/S's", if OSs are windows/linux, Windows won`t see a Linux partition, windows cant read Linux formats, and linux cant see windows, it knows its there(think im right on that) so sharing file from windows to linux won`t work with out a 3rd party program. linux uses its own programs like Unzip a linux version of winzip.

as for going back to FAT32 i dont know, are you having problems with NTFS, if not stick with it.

[setoguro]

Here are some links to help you out in your multiboot set up.


Reuel's Guide to multibooting (http://www.xperts.co.za/multiboot/)
I use Reuels boot disk a lot it has some good stuff on it.

Dual booting Win2K and Linux (http://www.littlewhitedog.com/reviews_other_00011.asp)
This has some good guides for setting up lilo and your NT boot manager.

Multiboot Forum (http://disc.server.com/Indices/122064.html)
You won't get quick answers here but you can find some good info.

[mjc]

Actually, Linux can see Fat32 partitions and use them for storage....but the need to be specifically "mounted" ...that is linux needs to be told where to find them. So you can use Linux to see what is on a Win partition, and do a few things to it, and even use some data files.....and maybe use programs, if you are planning on trying to get WINE working (best leave that until you have some of the basics down first).

It can't (normally) see NTFS partitions...NTFS support can be added on but from everything I have seen it is still very buggy and read-only support seems to the best you can hope for...

[Jiggy]

you learn something new every day.:D

[mjc]

I have been using Mandrake/98 for a while now... often I will download linux files in 98, if it is something I know I'll need, without having to reboot to download it......and since I am not using IE, I haven't had a problem with file corruption.

[yawningdog]

I download stuff all the time in Linux and move it to a FAT drive to share with windows. It's dead simple really.

I can't understand why installation is bugging you. All you need to do is free up a partition, go into fdisk and delete that partition, the boot from your Linux CD. Mandrake at least does all formatting for you. When it asks where to install, specify the space you deleted.

[olopbob]

I messed up trying to change NTFS back to FAT32 and locked it all up and had to use recovery disk and change boot order. Just made me a little gun shy.I'm sure after format back to FAT32 and correct partitioning Mandrake install should be simple if I ignore some Wizard instructions, which conflict with XP boot