I am in the proccess of downloading Slackware Linux to four CDs. The problem is, I don't know of a way to resize Windows. My new computer (AMD Athlon 64, 160 gig HD, 1 gig RAM, AGP slot) only came with a Windows Recovery disk, which, I don't believe, will allow me to reinstall Windows. I also don't have $70 to spend on PartitionMagic. What should I do? I want to give 120(100?) gigs to Windows, and 40(60?) Gigs to Slackware Linux and a swap drive. How can I resize Windows?

First, make backups.
Then, the easiest way to resize a partition and create new ones, in my opinion is to use a live CD such as Knoppix live CD. This is also good for identifying hardware drivers and such, and of course, it's free.
You can use qtparted, a program on Knoppix which is a gui tool for disk and partition management, or you can use cfdisk which is a command line tool. I personally have used qtparted for resizing ntfs and vfat partitions and have never had a problem.
Good luck

You could download Partition Magic on bittorrent, however I don't know if you feel ok pirating software. Just wanted to let you know it was available that way.

Is it a good idea to dual-boot Linux on a AMD Athlon 64 gaming computer? I just bought this new computer, and I have been very interested in Linux, but is dual-booting on a game comp. the wrong way to go? I was saving up $500 for Mac Mini, but would it be better to just be better to get a $400 Dell and use it 100% for Slackware?

You can dual-boot and not lose any performance for gaming. You do not need 160G for this, probably 20G would do, although since you have the space, you could probably give 20G to slackware and keep the rest for windows. In terms of gaming, it's more important to make sure that pointless services and programs aren't running on your windows box sucking up RAM and CPU you want for your games.

Would it work if I bought another 40-80 GB HD just for Slackware? I could get another Seagate 80GB HD from Newegg for $60. Should I do that, as opposed to having both XP and Slackware on a single HD?

Would I be better off gettting 2 HDs as opposed to dual-booting?

It makes no difference whatsoever. If you feel happier with 2 drives and you can spare the moolah, then get another drive, if not, then don't.

I'd get another HD and install slackware or any other distro (even try several different ones) onto the new drive that way you don't potential nail your xp drive. I have 3 drives that I swap out using a mobile docking system (docking station and 1 rack = $35 and another rack = $10-15).
HDD 1 = is 120GB drive with XP and several partitions for audio, video, data, downloads....
HDD 2 = is 120GB drive with mostly used distro (currently FC3)
HDD 3 = is 80GB drive with multiple distros that I am playing with and learning

Drive are so cheap, it's almost worth getting another drive.
Good luck in what ever you do...

Ruben

How do multiple HDs work? Inside my computer, I have room to install more HDs, but I don't know how to set them up. Is there any more to it than just screwing in the HD? Once it is isntalled, do I just choose which HD to load at the boot screen?

Anyone who can help me?

First off, I would recommend getting a second drive for Linux only. This saves the hassle of trying to resize your windows partition and eliminates the risk of lost data and the need to back up what you have.

However, if you do want to resize your Windows partition, the best way to do it is to use Norton Ghost to backup your existing data and then use Norton's PartitionMagic to do the partitioning. If you do not have these utilities and are unwilling to pay for them, you can use fips.exe, a DOS utility that will resize your disk. What you do, basically, is defragment your hard drive, so all the data is on the first sectors, and then partition it using fips. You'll find instructions on it on the web. It is also described well in debian.org install instructions. This method is risky if you don't first back up your data. At the very least, you ought to burn your most critical stuff to a CD or DVD. Fips will most likely work for you, nonetheless.