Problem Installation linux on single drive co-exist with windows XP pro...help
 

Hi, i've always been a Windows XP user and now i want to try out Linux without losing my XP data, so i'm expecting a dual boot system setup.

Currently i have a SuSe 10.1 iso file burnt into CD-R ady.
Also, i have Knoppix Live CD with me.
So i'm juz hoping anyone who knows either one of them cld help me out here.
Linux have too many new terms i can't understand therefore i have problems to understand most of the tutorials available on the net.

I have a 160GB hard disk, partitioned into 2 partitions. 120GB for my WinXP (NTFS), and 40GB (FAT32). I hope to install and run linux on my 40GB.

I've tried running Suse 10.1. And it gives suggested partitioning like this :-

Shrink Windows partition /dev/sda1 to 46.2GB
Shrink Windows partition /dev/sda5 to 9.9GB
Create swap partition /dev/sda3 (2.0GB)
Create partition /dev/sda4 (70.8GB) for /home with reiserfs
Create root partition /dev/sda6 (19.8GB) with reiserfs


Under Expert Partitioner(based on the automated linux settings upon detection of my harddrive)

Device -> Size,F,Type,Mount,Mountby,Start,End
/dev/sda -> 148.9GB,-,ST3160811AS,-,-,0,19439
/dev/sda1 -> 46.2GB,-,HPFS/NTFS,/windows/C,K,0,6039
/dev/sda2 -> 29.7GB,-,Extended,-,-,15554,19439
/dev/sda3 -> 2.0GB,F,Linux Swap,swap,K,6040,6301
/dev/sda4 -> 70.8GB,F,Linux Native(Reiser),/home,K,6302,15553
/dev/sda5 -> 9.9GB,-,Win95 FAT32 LBA,/windows/D,K,15554,16848
/dev/sda6 -> 19.8GB,F,Linux Native(Reiser),/,K,16849,19439



Booting Section
- Boot loader type :GRUB
- Location:1 IDE,148.9GB, /dev/sda, ST3160811AS (MBR)
- Sections: SUSE Linux 10.1 (default),Windows, Failsafe -- SUSE Linux
- Added Kernel Parameters : splash=silent


I've tried my best to tell u as much as information possible because i totally need to be taught in babysteps.
So, shd i juz follow the settings given by Suse auto settings like above?
That wont affect my winXP?

Suse looks a bit greedy for what you would probably be happy with (my hunch). I would probably let it take away less of the XP partition, and give up a corresponding amount from the sda4 (/home) partition. Like, maybe 67 GB for XP and 50 GB for /home. Those, and maybe the FAT32 partition (a good idea to keep, BTW), are probably the only partitions you would want to adjust. In the end, it is really your choice (a good thing).
--- rod.

So, is it other than changing the partition size, i can carry on with the installation which in the end won't jeopardize my winXP?

Yes, you'll be fine. SuSE is proposing merely to shrink your windows partition. This will keep all your windows files. I've done about 30 suse installs as dual boot with windows and had no problems whatsoever - never once lost anything.

That said, you should always do a backup of all your important stuff before ANY operation that alters partitions

Thanks guys, i shall try it and let u guys know the good news as soon as possible~!

Hi again, installed Suse ady.....boot fine....but then now it's the graphic problem. It's not showing dark screen, but like 16bit colours and super fuzzy, barely can read the menu.

I'm using nVidia GeForce 7300 GT. Any idea how to fix it?

Thanks in advance

I've used ctrl-alt-F2 and typed sax2 and manage to able to see my desktop now.

But it seems like it's not using nVidia driver.

My max resolution in XP is upto 1280x1024.
It's now using 1024x768 only.
And my monitor is samsung syncmaster 740BF which is not found in their list, how?

Is there a way to update all the hardware driver?

You may simply need to fine-tune the video driver parameters. If you are feeling adventuresome, you can fiddle with the numbers using 'xvidtune'. Make small changes, and apply them. Carefully observe the effects, and if you achieve a good tune, use the 'show' button to generate a modeline that you can copy into your xorg.conf file.
--- rod.

Nvidia also releases their own drivers for Linux, but I've found that in general they're not worth dealing with unless you're planning to run heavy 3-D applications. I imagine that there's a way to install them via YaST, but I don't use SuSE so you'll have to google around a bit. If not, they can be downloaded from Nvidia's Web site.