getting started with my installation: steps?
 

I've been reading all about Linux and I'm getting more and more confused! I do apologize for the very basic question, but I'd appreciate some confirmation that I haven't missed a basic step.

I've got a new Dell Dimension 3100, with an 80GB hard drive. I want to install Fedora. I have PartitionMagic 8.0.

Right now, I think I should:

1. Using PartitionMagic in Windows, add three new partitions to my hard drive: 2 GB for swap, 100 MB for boot, and 10 GB for root.

2. Pop in the first Fedora CD that I just burned of the ISO downloads, restart my computer and boot from that CD, and,

3. Follow the directions.

Is that it? That seems too easy. Will this give me the option to easily preserve Windows and end up with a dual-boot system?

I am most worried about ending up with a computer where I can't load windows, or can't load anything at all. Thanks in advance for any advice (or reassurances...).

That's about right ... 2 GB for swap is a bit of overkill though, 1GB should be fine. Just make sure you only create the empty space(s) with PM8 without creating the filesystems ... let Linux do that.

Baldrick

There is NOTHING you can do that is not recoverable (well, almost nothing...;) )

1. backup important data
2. make sure you have Windows install/rescue disk
3. create empty space on the drive** don't try to create linux partitions in Windows--with Part. Magic, etc.
4. boot from Linux install CD and follow directions
Typically, you will have two choices on where to put the bootloader--mbr and floppy. In either case, it should see the Windows install and automatically set you up for dual-boot.
Putting the bootloader on floppy avoids having to fix windows if something goes wrong. Not a huge issue since windows is easy to fix (see step 2)

**My ideal setup:
partitions for Linux and Windows OS +apps: ~10GB each (a bit less is OK, depending on how many apps)
balance of the drive in a FAT32 partition for data--easily shared between 2 OSes.

I really appreciate your comments! Especially about creating "blank space" specifically, I bet I'd have messed that up.

Just one more question:

I have neither windows disks nor a floppy drive. (Dell charges extra for either of these...) Is there a way to make a boot cd instead of a boot disk for Windows?

I've heard this before---unbelievable. How does Dell tell you to proceed if something happens and you need to re-install your OS?

You might want to look into something called: "The Ultimate Boot CD"

My other advice would be to put the boot loader on floppy, but you have no drive. How much does Dell want for a floppy drive?

The OS and floppy were pretty cheap, probably 50 bucks for the two of them. I'm just an idiot, and it didn't occur to me to get them... Sigh. :(

Ok... so I created the partitions, tried to run the Fedora CD's, and it hangs when I get to:

[<C0102b1>] kernel_thread_helper+0x5/8x14

Any suggestions?

what should i use to do my partion