Hello everybody.
I am trying to install Slackware on a new partition. I have a 40GB hard drive with Windows XP on part (30GB) and a blank partition on the other part (10GB). This is the E: drive (Primary Master). I also have a smaller HDD with Windows 98 on it, which is the C: drive (Primary Slave).
I'm using Boot-US boot loader, which I want to have in the MBR, and which requires Lilo to be on the boot sector of the Linux partition.
I don't know much about the command prompt. (I'm familiar with DOS and have several large Unix/Linux manuals, but I've been having a hard time getting information on what to do here.)
I want to format this partition and set it up with appropriate swap, /, etc. partitions within it. It is crucial that I not mess-up the XP partition, as it is a work computer and has a lot of programs loaded on it that would waste a lot of company time if I had to reinstall them. I'm really antsy about putting Linux in the MBR because the last couple times I did it I had to kill the whole drive in order to get it off.
I've installed Mandrake and Red Hat before with graphical interfaces and XWindows before on a temporary basis.

Can anybody help me get this done? It would be much appreciated!

I'm running a fast machine with all modern hardware. I don't think any of the hardware is OS specific (like winmodems).

Thanks again for your input!

--Dane
eighty6d@jps.net

When asked to partition your hard drive, you need to type fdisk /dev/hda.
Then type p to list the partitions you have on that drive. You will notice that there are 2 partitions, the first one should be the Windows OS partitions and the second one is the 10 gig one.
Then delete the 10 gig partiton by using the d option, and when asked which partition select 2.
Then you need to create a partiton, this will be root one. Use the a (I think) command, then select primary, then use default for beginin block, then type +9500M (for 9.5 gig).
The use the a option again and select primaty and the defaults for everything else. This will add the swap partition.
Then use the t option to set the type of the number 3 partiton to linux swap, I think that it is type 83.
Then use the w option to write the partiton table to the drive.

NOTE: This is all from memory, I am not setting infront of a Linux PC right now. So check the optins with the m command befor using them. fdisk in Linux is a lot like fdisk in Windows, so if you used the Windows fdisk you should be alright.

Once you finished pertitioning, reboot your PC to the install CD and install Slack. If you are still not sure, let me know and later on tonight when I get home I write you an exacted how-to. You should be safe as long as you do not delete the first partition.

The MBR thing. If you install Lilo in the MBR and then want to get rid of it. Just boot to a Windows boot disk and usr the fdisk /mbr to clear the MBR which will remove the boot loader and boot directly to Windows.

Another option regards partitioning is to use

cfdisk

during the Slack install - it will do essentially the same as fdisk - its just a little more user friendly. I'm not sure how the Boot Us boot loader would link up with LILO if LILO were to be installed in a boot sector of a partition - personally I'd put LILO in the MBR - Slack should even give you the option of setting up an entry for Windows in LILO - however its up to you what route you take with your bootloader - good luck and repost if any more ques/probs.

Thanks for the help! I'll give those suggestions a try. I'll let you know if it works.

Again, I really appreciate it.

--Dane

Alternatively, you could you something like diskdrake. It's powerful and very easy to use if you're unsure of what your doing.