Hello,

I recently switched to linux suse 8.1, before this i worked with windows.

/dev/hda 7.8G
/dev/hda1 12.4MB native /boot
/dev/hda2 256.4MB native swap
/dev/hda3 7.6G native /

/dev/hda3 is on a reiser partition
cillinder's start's on hda1
Currently the hole of the harddisc is owned by linux.

I came across a few problems while attempting creating a Fat32 partition.
I tried (using YaST2) to resize hda3 en then create a partition which i wanted to use for a windows os (win98).

while atempting to resize , yast2 gave me a message it was breaking it's operation because of /dev/hda3 was unable to unmount.

My question's

1) Could some explain or give some pointers how to deal with this problem on the unmount subject?

2) Which 'mount' should a give the Fat32 partition based on the already existing partition's ?

3) Can windows use the same device linux is using as boot?
linux uses dev/hda1 as it's boot partition

if not

4) How should I make this windows boot partiton

I hope someone can help me with the problem's.
Thanks

use lilo to boot windows so you can just leave your partition bootable as is, umount your partition before using yast and if it still gives you problems use either fdisk or the easier to understand utilily cfdisk both console based programs

Since your /dev/hda3 (not good to resize mounted partitions) is your root partition you will have to boot with the install CD if it has a rescue mode or use another boot disk. Then you can use yast or parted to resize. Also, don't forget to create a boot disk because if you have a bootloader on the MBR it will be overwritten by windows.

Since your hda3 is your biggest partition that is the one you will need to resize. Once you resize you need to create a primary partiton /dev/hda4. But because this is your last primary paritition (only get 4) you will not be able to create additional partitions unless you delete an existing partition and create an extended partition. Next you will need to set the boot flag on the new partition and set the filesystem flag as fat32. You can use either cfdisk or fdisk.

I have always formated the partition first before installing windows. Once you have installed windows you can reboot linux using the floppy boot disk and reinstall the bootloader.

michaelk,

It worked and did really learned a lot working the problem.
Thanks

Your welcome