[NTLUG:Discuss] Linux on Laptop

[Kevin Brannen]

Paul Ingendorf wrote:

>Generally speaking dual booting is not a problem and most major distros will
>ask you if this is what you wish to setup when they see the windows install.
>Some will require you pre-partition the drive to allow for a swap and linux
>partition, others will allow you to run within the windows partition and a
>few have built in autosizing partitioning tools that will enable you to
>configure the size of the partitions at installation.
>  
>

If you're really space starved, instead of doing a swap partition, use a 
swap file.  Make your C: partition a vfat32 formated partition (may 
require a reinstall if they made it NTFS), then after you mount the C: 
in Linux (goes to /windows/C in my distro), have boot.local do a mkswap 
on Window's pagefile.sys, then add that as swapspace.  I can give the 
commands and an example if needed, but hopefully that overview is good 
enough. :-)

Or if you're not low on space, then don't bother with the above and do 
the swap partition.  However, I think the option to do stuff like this 
is what makes Linux cool. :-)

Kevin