Jump to content

New to linux - how to install from scratch?


wakish
 Share

Recommended Posts

Hi everyone..i'm really new to Linux community and linux itself.

I felt the need of indulging myself in Linux.

After visiting the "distrowatch site", i finally made my way to Mandriva. (was it the right choice for someone like me who is completely new to linux??)

 

I need some help (if possible) to do the following:

 

I have an 80Gb Hard drive.

I would like to know how to partition my hard drive, after removing all existing os, to install my win os and then install linux distro.

I guess since there will be no current os, i won't be able to use partition magic or a similar program.

Thus, i would like to use something like fdisk to do the whole stuff.

First of all is there a better program like fdisk, since fdisk has limitations in its use? I have investigated that there is an fdisk-like program called "gdisk". But i'm still trying to know about it. But if you have any better program, it will be nice!

 

Note:

1) I know how to install win 98 and win xps..etc..

2) I don't know how to isntall linux yet. I'm still learning about it from the nice related topic in this forum.

>>>(MandrivaUsers.org > General Help > Installing Mandriva._

 

==> So, basically, right now i want to know how to prepare my pc from scratch for installing both windows and linux.

 

It would be nice if someone could help me.

Any other kind of advice and remarks are warmly welcomed.

Thanks for all!

 

Regards!

Edited by wakish
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 109
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Welcome aboard :beer:

 

You can use the Mandriva Cd for everything. If you want to install Win98 from scratch along with Mandriva, then the easiest way would be imho:

 

Boot up the Linux CD. When you get t the partitioning stage, create ALL partitions using the peronal settings mode of the partitioner (Don't use the auto-partitioning as you will end up without Windows partitions then). Now create the following:

 

hda

|| fat 32 partition for Win98 | fat 32 partition for file sharing | swap (2xRAM size) | / in e.g. ext3 (roughly 4-10 GB, depending ony your need) | /home in e.g. reiserfs (for personal files) ||

 

Now install Mandriva. Once you are done, reboot and start the installation of Windows. Once Windows is up and running (it will overwrite the Linux bootloader), reboot again with your Linux CD. Hit "F1" for advanced settings and go to the rescue section. select "reinstall bootloader" and you will get a dual-boot system. Reboot again. Now you should be able to run both systems.

Also take a look at aRTees site, which is great for getting to know Mandriva:

http://www.mandrake.tips.4.free.fr/installmdv2006.html

If you have more questions, don't be shy and ask us.

 

Good luck. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the welcome ;)

thanks for the kind advice and the nice aRTees site!

I'm trying to read all these stuffs and trying to understand.

Then as i progress, i will ask more questions.

And in the end, if i succeed with what i'm trying to do, then i will share it with all of you here!

 

All other views, opinions and anything about this topic is warmly welcomed continuosly!

 

 

Kind Regards,

wakish

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You will note that Arctic's post makes NO mention of Partition Magic (as excellent as that program is). Although I have a very early version of Partition Magic (it doesn't recognise <ext3>) I haven't used it in over 2yrs since I could do all repartitioning using Mandrake/Mandriva only. I have set up other peoples computers as well for W2000 and Linux for dual booting also, using the W2000 install disc. This a lot easier than having to fiddle with the MBR by using the command line at bootup to reinstall the Linux or Mandriva boot.

 

Cheers. John.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes, I made no mention of Partition Magic although it does its job usually quite well. But what is the purpose of installing it and "wasting time" if you can do the partitioning with the Mandriva CD way faster? :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

but can all these partitioners be used when there is no OS on your HD? i mean assuming that there is no windows on your hard drive.

 

As i said i want to be able "to install both windows(any versions) and linux in a new pc which has no OS yet."

 

May be i should try to reframe in the following sense:

Is there any good program/software to partition and set up a hard dirve (80Gb size) to install both windows(any version) and linux.

I don't want to use something like partition magic, because it does all the work for you - it's lazy. and besides i think you should run it from an OS. I would like a program which will allow you to know exactly what you are doing and which can be run independently. FDisk is not good, it has limitations.

Is there something similar or more better?

 

Sry for asking so much, but i have that idea in mind, and my mind is not calm unless i arrive close to what i want to do :D

 

The first idea which arctic given me about partitioning with the mandriva cd is the first solution. I will try it too!

But in addition i would like to know if what i want, is possible to do. Thanks!

 

 

Thank you all for your nice helping advices!

Keep them coming ;)

 

 

Regards!

Edited by wakish
Link to comment
Share on other sites

but can all these partitioners be used when there is no OS on your HD? i mean assuming that there is no windows on your hard drive.

The Mandriva partitioner can definitely be used on 100% empty harddisks, I used it on several of my machines, too.

 

edit: A link that might be of interest for you:

http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/ (included links to several partitioning tools etc... it is really worth a look)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Acronis can be installed, OR booted from a self-made CD, which factly is a specially tuned custom Linux kernel with full NTFS support.

Partition Commander can be booted from a bootable floppy, but of course you can also boot it from an El Torito CD with 1.44M floppy emulation.

It works fine, the only difference from a floppy is that you cannot save the altered default settings for a second session.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I will remove my current hard drive and i will put another one to "play" with it with linux and windows..getting to be familiar with linux..installing different distros..etc..

Then when i want to do my normal things i will just have to re-place my old hard drive back.

so:

1) is it ok to do it?

2) Will i lose any data on my old hard drive (i.e my current hard drive?)

I guess not, but i want to confirm on this.

 

Thanks!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I will remove my current hard drive and i will put another one to "play" with it with linux and windows..getting to be familiar with linux..installing different distros..etc..

Then when i want to do my normal things i will just have to re-place my old hard drive back.

so:

1) is it ok to do it?

Yes.
2) Will i lose any data on my old hard drive (i.e my current hard drive?)
No. :)
Link to comment
Share on other sites

coool..thanks! :D

 

 

 

 

By the way, i'm getting confused about which version of mandriva to download..

Please could you help?

I saw so many in the download page, and some even said something about being in club member to have additional soft! Is it required to be in the club member? well, it's not possible for me :(

 

 

Regards!

Edited by wakish
Link to comment
Share on other sites

You don't have to be a Club-member. The Club version ony has some proprietary stuff already included. Those things can be intalled into the free edition in a hurry, so no "need" for paying some extra bucks. I also use the free version of Mandy.

 

Go to one of the international download mirrors and select the free i586 version (if you are using a Mac, get the PPC version). The latest stable release is Mandriva 2006 and it works quite well for lot of us. Give it a try. If you run into problems, you know where to find us and ask questions. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
 Share


×
×
  • Create New...