I have tried to partition my hard drive before and I know how to do it but how should I partition it to dual boot Linux? Should I just use some empty space or use unallocated space? Or should I create the partitions before installing it.

Thanks

If you're doing dual boot Windows and Linux - do the Windows install first but don't use the entire drive - just a partition.

When you do the install of Linux it should recognize you're existing partition is there. When I did it on my Laptop with XP and Fedora Core 6 during the install of FC 6 I just told it to use the unallocated space.

Also during install it allowed me to add the first partition to grub AND label it as Windows XP and make it boot to XP automatically if I didn't interrupt it at boot to do the Linux instead.

Ok thanks I will just try using unallocated space then

Do don't say how bigger is your disk...

If u have 20 GB Disk (actually are more more bigger disk but, suppose this scenario)

And u have Any Windows, u need calculate, your used space... say 10 gb used now for windows and some extra for the future in windows, u destinate 13 gb for windows in present day and future..

The rest... is for Linux and work... excellent.. don't have any problem, but u need choose your packets in Linux for don't consume space with packets u just don't use...

Conclusion : need analyze your machine for correct setting but u need a little space for Linux, but don't let windows without space

If u machine is already partition for Linux u need delete Linux partitions for fresh installation, don't use free space bcs u gain Two Linux partition in the same disk...

Something useful is Visual Partition Editor... like DiskDuid of Madriva in Windows... Hated.. but useful Norton Partition Magic... u see graphical your disk...

This a way to understand the logical of disk

Lucky!!!