Hello there

i recently picked up a dummies on linux .i found it very impresing . i tought id give it a try . i went out and got a Linux SUSE 10.1. i have a very basic understanding of software.

i have a 80G hdd & 3 partitions (ntfs) . So i formated drive D (FAT 32) for SUSE.

When installing in red it stated shirink windows...
in black:
create partition/dev/sda4/16.9GB
create root....

whats going on there .

i would like to dual boot(i guess SUSE uses grub). im afraid of deleting my xP os.

Linux is pretty obscure here (Malaysia).

Really could use help

Im using a sempron 2800 (1.6 ), MSI K8N Neo m/board, 512 ram .If that is important?

hope to stick around
Thanks

hello,
you should do the followings: after booting go to partitioner ,custom , expert partitioner,resize(the disk you want to install linux on),create new partition:
1.create 32MB partition as partition type /boot(you can find the option through the filter down and wright the screen) and ext2 file system
2.create 512 mb partition as / and ext2 file system
3.create a 4gb partition as /usr ,reiser file system and go to fstab options and choose journal instead of ordered
4.if you need server create a 2GB /srv partition and as step 3 file system
5.create a var partition 1 GB as /var and as step 3 file system
6.create an /opt 3GB partition and as step 3 file system
7.create a partition /home and as step 3 file system(the size of this is as much as u want for your documents and files)Do it last!
8.create from a filter down and left "format" then choose swap and set it to size as large as twice your ram size!!!

The sizes may differ from your needs so calculate proportionatly the sizes for your disk's size but do not change the sizes of :1,3,8

If you show patience linux will pay you back with lot's of pleasure.Good luck