hi im just new into the huge linux world, i want to begin my linux exp. with fedora 12,

im having laptop with intels core 2 duo processor, 2 gb ram , 160gb hdd and already installed xp sp3. i have downloaded a distro of fedora 12 in dvd version of 4.5 gb..

now i want to boot my laptop in dual mode with xp and fedora both, plez help me in detail how to make partions,

im already having 4 partions in xp c(30 gb), d(40 gb), e(40 gb), f(40 gb) . each in NTFS file system..

plez help me how should i proceed

Have you got data on all 4 partitions that exist? If yes, you will have to make room for linux some how. The partitions you have are accounting for 150 of the 160 gb disk space.

Linux does not work well with NTFS. It can now read and write to it, but it is not a native file system for linux. You will have to decide how much space XP is going to have in total. You probably have what you know as C, as your XP system.

Decide how to divide the disk, between XP and FC12, total space. For example, you could keep C and D for XP, and move any data on E and F to D. Then delete E and F for free space.

During any linux install, you will see there is a disk partitioner, and formatter. Linux will use the free space. You can divide it between the root partition, where the operating system and programs go, and the rest can become a /home partition. This is where all your user files go. Usually 10 gb is enough for the system. That would leave 70 gb for files.

XP can not read linux file systems. It can read and write NTFS and fat32. So if you want to share data between each system, then you may want to either expand D, or shrink E to say 20 gig first. Of course that shinks the size of /home partition.

Linux supports many file systems. Most often you will make the root partition with ext2, or ext3 file systems. You get the choice during the install of FC12, or any other distro you choose.

I have a 160 gig drive. I made the root partition 12 gig, larger than I need. With a 64 bit Mandriva 2010 system installed, and lots of applications, only 4.4 gig is used, so I can add lots more programs, if I wish. My /home partition is 132 gig with 12% used. Lots of space. Just some thoughts, to help out.

thanx a lot camorri.Would u plez help me in figuring out which software should i use to delete my E and F partitions?

You can do it with fdisk that comes with windoze. Here is a link to M$ that explains it.

-->http://support.microsoft.com/kb/255867

There are gui programs like Partition Magic that are easy to use. They are not free.

You can get free linux programs, like gparted to do the same thing. A link -->http://gparted.sourceforge.net/

The Fedora install dvd should also have a partitioning and formating program.

Hope this helps.

1 members found this post helpful.

i have successfully deleted my E and F partitions using gparted, but not yet fedora 12 installed,, before installing fedora, i want to know how to prepare a boot menu with options for fedora 12 and windows xp. so that at the time of startup i can select any one of the option easily

When you install Fedora, it will give you the option to install Grub, ( Grand Universal Boot Loader ). Let it install, and if given a choice as to location, select MBR ( master boot record ). Grub should detect the presence of a windoze installation, and create an entry for it.

If for any reason it fails, you can always edit a file called /boot/grub/menu.lst and add an entry for windoze. You should not have to do that.

Hope this helps.

thanx a lot,, i have installed my fedora 12 along with xp in dual boot mode sucessfully,,

now im facing a problem for connecting to internet,, im using dsl connection at my home..

plez help me out how to create a new internet connection....

Have you got a router? Are you the only system connected directly to a DSL modem?

Please provide some details on make model of the hardware. Your ISP is the source for address information.