PC Linux OS Install Asks For Input Concerning Partition?
 

Hi, I am trying to install PC Linux OS on a Dell pentium 4 laptop which has a XP on it and overwriting SLED by Novell.

It asks after partition starts to give two areas allotments such at home and boot... I don't know what to do.

I have the latest in PC Linux OS and gnome I think.

First things first, the forum over at PCLinuxOS is really fast about replying and helping. You might want to frequent there for support. http://www.pclinuxos.com/forum/index...oard,16.0.html That is the link to the installation section of the forums.

Second, how many partitions do you have on your laptop? You have to have at least 3 at the moment. 1 for Windows, 1 for swap, and 1 for SLED. Many people have their /home on a separate partition. I am just making an assumption about how you have your partitions. Do you know where your Windows partition is? (e.g. sda1 or whatever) Whatever you do, do not over write that! I would say boot back into SLED and figure out your partition scheme. Find out where your swap, Windows, and SLED are located then restart the installation.

If you have SLED all on one partition, then all you need to do is replace that partition with PCLOS but overwriting it (and formatting it) and have it mount as / - root. If your /home is on a different partition, then mount that as your /home and then replace the SLED partition with / - root.

If you can, install a second hard drive for Linux installs. This way, you can play with and learn all about partitioning. This is the easiest and safest way to protect your main OS on the first drive. This is the way I got started.

Different OS's have different tools to do this, and some can be quite confusing.

mlangdn - You mean like an external HD? I don't think his laptop would have anywhere to put a second HD.

Yes, an external could be used. Just makes for a bit more to lug around. And maybe a bit more expensive. I really should have payed attention to the fact it is a laptop.