Partition troubles
 

Hi all,

I'm having a little trouble trying to install my Redhat distro (7.2, I think). I'm trying to create some free space for Linux, which i've kind of done via Fips. The problem is that, whilst i've created a second partition on my 1st HD drive, still when I run Dos's fdisk I have a reading of 'xxxxMBs @ 100% usage', then the two drives c:\ and f:\ (the latter being the new one, and confirmation of a partition); the xxxx figure is of the entire drive capacity, and is unwelcome. Windows naturally (as i've not formated the f:\) acknowledges the f:\ drive, but doesn't see it as free space (which is good), but is confused by the new drive.

As I understand it, my new f:\ should -or ought- to be recorded as 'Free Space' - knocked out of the 100% The Fips documentation says that if I want my "partition under Linux [I need] ... to change the system indicator byte with Linux' fdisk, then use MKFS." I've no knowledge on how to do this, or whatever it is I shoule be doing, so any assistance will be much appreciated.

Thankyou kindly,

NirvanaII

Do u want to install linux in that f: drive?

regards
anindyanuri

Yes, I want to install Linux on that f:\, but Linux won't recognise this new partition as 'Free Space' ... it sees it as Windows related, i'm guessing that's why all is not well.

Thanks

NirvanaII

just remove the partition alltogether just leave empty space for the partition linux will partition and format it for you. btw rh 7.2? they don't make or support red hat desktop any more and they stoped at 9.0 if at all posible you should get a more up to date distro it will save you trouble in the end. get fedora core if you like red hat. or ubuntu will even pay the shipping to send you a free up to date install cd.

johnson_steve,

Sorry, i should have pointed out that i'm looking to keep Windows on the c:\, so removing the whole partition isn't an option. The f:\ drive is the second partition that i've created on the 1st harddisk, where the c:\ drive is.

Thanks,

NirvanaII

Nivanall,

Is that "f:\" a Windows "logical partition?" (I think that's how they refer to it.)

If you have a real "F:\" partition, you can delete it with no problem. If it's just a pointer to you "C\" drive (i.e., a "logical volume"), then you haven't actually done anything except let XP see the same information in two "logical" places.

So, bottom line, if Windows "fdisk" shows two different physical partitions on the hard drive, delete the one you will use for Linux and you're home free. If it shows only one physical partition with multiple drive letters, then you need to get better partitioning software, shrink the Windows partition, and let your Linux install do it's thing with the free space you've left.

If you're going to take Mr. Johnson's advice (which is, I think, good advice), you might consider waiting 'till Monday when the newest Fedora (Fedora Core 4) is scheduled to be released.

Good luck.

P.S.: Fedora is a great distribution, but you'll need to do some work to, for example, access your NTFS partitions from Linux under Fedora. Fedora doesn't include any NTFS access software because it (Fedora) is intended to be a distribution containing only open source software. (There are many threads in this forum explaining how to install, again, for example, NTFS drivers.)

fedora should be able to resize the partition if you defrag first

Yes Nirvanall, you may go with Fedora Core 3. Some specific updates will be required to get full power of Fedora Core 3 but it is the second issue. Using RH 7.2 these days will not be good from security point of view also. Besides you have to update more and more software updates, if you use RH 7.2. Do make those updates, a lot of dependencys are also be updated. So, better if you can use Fedora core 3. It is also from Red Hat and very similar to Red Hat. On the other hand you may use, SuSe, Mandrake (now the name is changed to Mandriva) etc. All there are good pack to start.

Not discussing regarding your captioned problem as the solution is already given in a nice manner. They have cleared the matter very well. I just want to tell you, as your linux file system differs from windows file system that is why you are not getting the free space in your f: drive. You can easily delete this partition and you will get these as free space. Now you make this free space as logical partitio, format it from linux and proceed with the installation.

Regards