[NTLUG:Discuss] Newbie needs help

[Kevin Brannen]

Joe,

You have several options, ranging from easy to hard. :-)

1. Get another HD.  Easy to implement, except on the budget. :-)
2. Move as much from D: to C: as you can.  Defragment D: then try
splitting it (if you didn't defragment, you may have had a file out
towards the end that wouldn't let you split it.  Also remove any
"swap/paging" space that Windoze may have there.  Afterwards, if D: is
totally free, then you could devote that (or some part) to Linux.  As
last ditch effort, backup whatever's left on D: (twice for safety) then
delete the partition D: resides in, then create 2 logical partions in
its place, 1 for D: & 1 for Linux.  Then restore D: and continue with
Linux installation.  [Side note, you could create 3 logical partitions: 
D:, Linux, & Linux swap (I'd do 64M for this if you do this).  You can
also do swap as a file(s) in your Linux partition (I do), which is why 2
logicals will work.]
3. Split C: as you mentioned.  Whether you split C: or D: depends, and
only you can determine which is better.
4. I've never used it, but there is a UMDOS partition type, which will
put your Linux files in a DOS partition.  It must be FAT, not VFAT.  I'd
recommend against this unless nothing else works.

I've put them in the order *I* would persue them; I suspect you'll have
reasons to reorder them.  Perhaps others can come up with more options.

Hmm, it just occurred to me, D: is just an extended partition?  If so,
no wonder you couldn't split it.  Extendeds are just a holder, as I
understand.  You need logical partions inside it.  An extended partion
can have up to 15 (or is it 16?) logical partitions.  If this isn't
clear, let me know and I'll try to explain it better.  But if this is
the case, you definitely need to delete D:, possibly recreate the
extended and create multiple logicals inside it.  Sorry, it's hard to be
more accurate when I can't see the drive. :-)

HTH & Welcome to the wonderful world of Linux!
Kevin


Joe wrote:
> 
> Evening to all.
> I have been reading all the post here with great interest, thank all
> of you for your thoughtful replies. It's my turn to stick my neck in
> the noose. I  would like to know if I can safely use the C: primary
> of my 4 gig Western Digital which is already loaded with Windoz98 and
> uses the first half of the hd to also load Read Hat 5.2. The D:
> partition was preset as an extended drive, and FIPS will not allow it
> to be split.
>     Would it be possible to migrate all my non-essential programs to
> the D: extended which would give me more than enough space, and split
> the C:.
>     I don't have a way to store all my extras. Since my income is
> limited as for buying another hard drive, if I have to, I will be
> willing to start from scratch, except once I make such a commitment,
> and run into too many "oh by the ways", I have no one to call to talk
> me through. I would make the newbie meetings at Nokia to resolve this,
> but I live in Valley View,Tx near the Red River and my ol 86 truck is
> sorely lacking in amenities like air conditioning (g) and that's a
> good 2 hour trip.
> So If I can between my book Mastering Linux by Arman Danesh and you
> folks, I'm willing to give it my best shot. I won't touch a thing
> though until I have the basics down.
>  my box bio:AMD x86 Family 4 module 15 stepping 4  16 megs 72 pin ram
>                    Disk type 47 Western Digital 4.3 gig  2 button
> Logitech serial mouse
>                     Sound Blaster 16 plug and pray  CD IDE/ATAPI in
> series with HD
>                     Video ATI TV 4 megs dram Modem Practical
> Peripherals PM 14400FX
>                     Bios does not allow for boot from CD, have made up
> boot & root
> Have emergency start disk in win98 and my old standby DOS 6.2 (which
> has all my needed drivers to run dos)
> Thanks for any advise in advance.
> Joe (i hate gates) Martin