I'm heard my friend talk alots about linux, so i decide to give it a try. But since I only have one computer at home I want to use it windows 9x.
So I did a little research over the internet and many suggest that I should use fdisk to create two partiton on my hd, then install window on the first partion leave the second partion for linux.
But there was a problem when i try to install linux. Once I'm in the intallation option for linux, I choose "use free space" then click next, but there was an error "Partion can't not rearrange ...."

Can anyone shoe me step from step how to dual boot linux with windows?
Thank you in advance

The problem (and this is a bit complicated to explain in full detail, so I'll sum up) is that you don't technically have any 'free space' in the terms they are referring to.

Option 1: Not recommended.
There are utilities to allow you to resize your hard disk, taking space away from your windows drive, to give to linux. I believe there is one called parted. If you want more information, I can write a tutorial for you, or provide you with links to existing documentation on doing just that. Many people are in the same situation you are in.

Option 2: Recommended.
I am going to suggest that you use a UMSDOS version of linux, which will allow you to test it out without fear of destroying all of your data. This basically install linux into a special file, and is very easy to get rid of if you don't decide to move to linux full time.
(Which I hope you do. It's a lot of fun.)

I can provide you with some links if you can't find any.

Option 3: Virtualized OS.
I don't recommend this, either. Too slow and buggy. You'll hear people mention VMWare, and VirtualPC. Good for developers, but not for testing out a shiny new operating system.



Might want to check here: a bit outdated, but has some information to get you up to speed

http://rpmfind.net/linux/redhat/redh...S-HOWTO-1.html

The RedHat installer should allow you to actually pick the second partition, rather than letting it try to find free space. I'm not completely familiar with the RH installer, but this may require using an "Expert" type mode in the installer which should then identify the actual partitions available on the drive. Each current partition will show up as a FAT32, and assuming that Win9x is on the first partition, simply select the second for use as your RedHat space.

humm can write the instruction for both option one an two, although i'm not sure what you are talking about but i'll try and learn from it.
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I don't know why linux intaller didn't pick it up.

thank you two, but i still need alot of help from you two and others
thank again

If I understand you correctly you have windows installed on one partition, and another empty one right? So if this is the case throw in your install disks again, and when you get to the part about partitioning choose "manually partition using diskDruid", then your windows partition will be hda1, and the empty one will be hda2. Leave hda1 alone, don't touch it, but delete hda2, and create the partitions from scratch. There are a lot of threads here about partitioning strategies for you to read, otherwise just ask here, and include the size of this empty partition (hda2). Partitioning manuslly with diskdruid is very easy, from the nice shiny gui.
Then you'll be golden.