okay, this is a real pain for me and i would be very greatful if anyone could help me out.

i need to install linux on my system. i need it for college as i am doing quite a bit of c++ that requires linux specific operations. ie. fork, threads etc. i already have knoppix (linux on a disk) but it doesnt have gcc on it so its completly useless. i tried downloading gcc and installing it but it just didnt happen. so ive decided to try install mandrake 9.1.

this is where the problem gets even more anoying. i only have one drive and its nearly full. i un-installed a few things that i didnt use often and defragged. when i try to install mandrake i select the 'use free space on windows partition' but it tells me that the drive is too fragmented. so i restart, let windows load and defrag. every time i go back and try install mandrake it keeps telling me the same thing. i must have defragged at least 10 times now. i dont think that this is the problem. ive also gone back to windows and un-installed more stuff to make more space. nothing. still wont work. keeps telling me the same thing.

i really need to get this working. i have stuff to hand up on monday before 9 and the college aint open weekends. im getting quite ticked off with linux, between knoppix and this problem.

the drive is a 60 gig maxtor. its FAT32.

can anybody help me out with this one? ive looked on the net but cant find anything to help. im a my wits end with this....

i should also mention that i tried the custom route but it wont let me do resize there either...

*bump* someone must know about this?

why is no one replying?