I am trying to install Slack9.1 on my Toshiba Satellite Pro m15-s405.

I repartition my harddrive just fine with fdisk, allocating space for WinXP, Slack9.1, and then some space for swap for Slack.

Unfortunately, when I install XP (Home), it completely ignores all partiition information, reallocates the entire drive, and installs on the entire drive.

How do I get around this problem? I know there are program like Partition Magic which will repartition after windows install, but I can't afford PM.

It uses the Toshiba Recovery tool, which is like version 1.7.5 (or was it 1.5.7?). So, it just basically says "Do you want to erase all informatoin on your drive and continue?" I answer yes (answering no brings me to DOS prompt), and then it asks no more questions... just reallocates, and installs.

Any suggestions?

odd, i have a suggestion though: install xp, download the trial of partition magic (its free for 30 days). resize your ntfs partition and then install slackware. if you end up liking PM i suggest you buy it when you get the cash (it's only 40 bucks).

I have an M10-S405, I think the only difference is that it shipped with XP Pro. I bought it from my favorite etailer and they didn't have the XP Home version. The first thing I did was take out the 40GB drive and install a new 80GB drive for the extra space that I plan to use testing multiple distros. The fun started when I discovered that the computer shipped with a recovery image not the software itself. It will format and use the entire drive even if upgrading to a larger one.

My solution was to use an XP SP1 disk that I had for another computer and install with the key found on the bottom of the computer. Then I had to download from the Toshibe site all of the system specific drivers and install them. An easier alternative would be to use one of the partitioning programs that can repartition a working ntfs drive freeing up space. The next time I wipe the drive on this computer that it what I plan to do. There were some programs installed on the computer that I have no access to otherwise because they are on that darned image. I didn't press the Toshiba support very hard but I doubt they would provide the software outside of the restore image. From a service standpoint it's a lot easier to have the image than a bunch of different programs to install. It just doesn't accomodate my need or desire.

Somewhere else on the forum there may be an indication of which program can do the repartitioning, or maybe someone with experience with one that works can help. I had looked at Partition Magic, but still haven't tried it.

I love these boards. Another2 you posted while I was typing, have you used the Partition Magic with an ntfs partition?

Thanks.

I have used Partition Magic with an ntfs partition with no trouble.
If you want to stay with a linux solution you might get MDK 9.1, and
use its partitioning tool. Works fine.

nope, some of my friends do i soley run linux so i usually don't mess with partitions other then an initial install.

I checked out Partition Magic. I was pretty excited to see how easy it was going to be to specify partitions, sizes, formats, etc. And then I clicked "apply" only to find out the demo version doesn't actually make any changes to the system.

I suppose this makes sense, otherwise people would never buy the product. Its just frustrating, cause I can't afford to drop $70 on PM (I checked on the price in a few places). $40 maybe... but $70 is starting to get a bit steep for my grad school budget.

Didn't see this addressed, sooo if I missed it bear with me.

For dual booting Linux, you MUST install Windows FIRST, then do your repartitioning.