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Old 09-22-2003, 12:33 PM   #1
froZenX
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Question Installation of RHL 9


Well, heres the hitch:

Right now I want to install Red Hat Linux 9 (imao).

I bought Red Hat Linux 9 Unleashed, from Sams. It has the Publisher's Edition, also having loads of other programs and RPMs. I have been reading it lately, understanding it before I dive into the goodness of what Linux has to offer.

The only problem is.... I have been dependent on Windows for a long time now, with its simple installation (requiring me with no common knowledge with my hard ware, only some periphials).

So I know how to install it kind of, by inserting the first (of 2 CDs) into the computer and turn it on (I already set the BIOS to boot to floppy, then CD, then HDD).

Thus then the startup will occur with either? graphical or text installation.

My problem is I have a wireless keyboard and mouse. I got my computer just recently in Septemper, a Dell (lol forgot the model but I will be sure to reply again when I return home from school) with an nVidia card, (Soudblaster?), 240 GB HDD (with I know is 2 hard drives with RAID making them act as one, i think, yeh im a n00b), and 1 GB of RAM.

I am very scared to use my Partition Magic to partition my hard drive, hoping it wont haplessly kill my Windows. What I mean is, I want to be able to access all my files on one partition (Windows) from the other (Linux).

Right now its Windows XP Pro SP1 which is NTFS, and I know RHL uses either FAT, FAT32, ext2, ext3, or something else. I heard form my friend that I have to first install Linux (after my partitioning a new partition as a FAT32, which should you reccomend to be how big? since my HDD is about 240 GB) and then convert my NTFS to FAT32, and he said then I can access my other files (mostly media and songs and pictures).

But as I just looked at my Partition Magic, I noticed that I could only convert my NTFS partition to a "Logical" one. What is that? If I do, will I then be able to convert to FAT32? Is this rumor true?

Also, back to the mouse/keyboard thing. I saw also that my first partition (and my first thing to boot in my boot.ini) was some sort of software Dell intalled supposely to be my BIOS? or wireless keyboard/mouse finder? or maybe something with my RAID HDDs? will it screw up my Dell? it mentions something about IDE, and then displays little graph for a sec that shows some addition (like 1+1, and then in MB 240000, which is probably refering to my hard drives being as one C: drive for Windows)

If I do then manage to get my partition made, then install Linux, will then after having to chose (at a BIOS menu for dual boot) Linux which maybe having its GRUB loader affect anything? or would you reccomend, LILO or GRUB? (it mentioned that RH was not going to support LILO anymore, I think, only GRUB, after RHL 9)

Sorry for the whole long post, but I really want to enjoy using this OS, since I know this computer of mine will last me about for 5 years or so (also it has CD/DVD writable capabilities) and don't want to mess it up since and have to goto prolly another forum for Disk Recovery or pay a hefty price for someone to pay, for my dues on my car insurance are needed to be paid sometime soon.

Thanks again, I know you guys are the pros (and girls, if im mistakened )

and rocks!

Last edited by froZenX; 09-22-2003 at 12:39 PM.
 
Old 09-22-2003, 12:36 PM   #2
froZenX
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also forgot to mention (I will still post the model later, sorry ) that it has a Pentium 4.
 
Old 09-22-2003, 02:44 PM   #3
froZenX
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no idea?

thanks to anyone that responds
 
Old 09-22-2003, 04:08 PM   #4
froZenX
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sorry it took so long, its a Dimension 8300.

Please help !
 
Old 09-22-2003, 07:00 PM   #5
froZenX
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sorry it took so long, its a Dell Dimension 8300.
 
Old 09-22-2003, 07:57 PM   #6
froZenX
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-_- Thanks to anyone, I guess I can compile it into questions for you people who don't like to read alot lol:

Sorry

Heres my list then after reading:

1 Can I convert my Windows partition from NTFS to FAT32? In my Partition Magic it says I can only convert to "Logical" which I have no idea what that is

2 Can RHLinux run on FAT32?

3 Can RHLinux access the files on the other partition if the converting from NTFS to FAT32 work?

4 Will there be any problems involving my wireless mouse/keyboard?

5 Will there be a problem after installation with having GRUB along with my XP, making it a dual boot?

6 If the partitioning of the NTFS to FAT32 does/doesn't work, how much do you reccomend for me to set aside for RHLinux? (2 answers, depending if the converting works or not )

Thank you to all who helps me, Im sorry I didnt make it straight forward in my post.

-froZenX
 
Old 09-22-2003, 08:38 PM   #7
guild
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hmm, i can answer two of the questions.

2) run RH9 on FAT32 - no. as i understand it, linux uses a file system that is entirely different from the one used by windows. for compatibility reasons, linux is able to read FAT32 so that you can share hard drive space.

5) i have a dual boot system with RH9 and XP pro. i have no problems. however, i made a backup of all of my files, reformatted the HD, and did clean installs of both XP and linux. i know that others have had great success using partition magic.

i should also note that while i do have a dual boot system, i have not booted into xp since 2 days after i installed linux. now (about a month later) i can't think of any reasons for booting to xp and consider it a waste of space on my HD. the only reason i might boot back to xp is for a game or something.

as i'm sure you know, jumping into linux means that you will have control over a whole bunch of things that you dont' have control over in xp. that has meant for me that i often spend an entire day trying to figure out a solution to a problem. however, i am learning SO much about computers, operating systems, security, networking, etc. that i consider the time i am investing to be WELL WORTH it.

there is one suggestion that i have for you. when you run into a problem (e.g. i had some problems with configuring my printer), make sure to write down EXACTLY what you did to solve the problem and keep a directory with those files. that way, if you have to reinstall, or see someone ask a question on here that you have already solved, you can refer to those notes for what to do.

enjoy !!
 
Old 09-22-2003, 09:20 PM   #8
froZenX
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Thank you so much! That cleared some of my uncertainty.

As for the partition of RHLinux, do you reccomend then what to create to partition? I mean, if not create a FAT32 (as you said) do I create a ext3 or ext2 partition?

After maybe this is cleared, Ill give it a go this weekend and post the results.

Thanks again for the great help!
 
Old 09-22-2003, 10:12 PM   #9
guild
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i am pretty sure the default is ext3. just use whatever the redhat installer suggests.

also, installed from CD, and that worked well. i don't have any experience with other methods of installation.

one last note, depending on what you want to do, you might want to download the ISOs from redhat. the ISOs have a lot more programs than the CDs that come with the Sams book (I have the same book). also, if you download the ISOs from redhat, the programs will be more up to date. for example, you will get the most current kernel, and i am guessing that they have added the updated ssh server. i have a cable modem, so i just started the downloads one night and then went to bed. they were all finished in the morning and then it too me 20 mins or so to burn the ISOs to CDs.

post questions or problems. there are lots of people here to help.
 
Old 09-22-2003, 10:56 PM   #10
froZenX
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Cant say how much I can thank you. You have been such a big help.

Thanks again.
 
Old 09-23-2003, 10:39 AM   #11
abhaskumar
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u may find these answers useful:

* u can access NTFS file format too from linux after installing a module. though u will not be able to write on it.

* FAT32 file system is totally supported by linux, though u cant install in it(as of i know). better use ext3 format. u will find it cool!!

*u will have to modify /etc/fstab to mount other partitions. then only will u be able to access them.

hope it clarifies some of ur doubts
 
Old 09-23-2003, 05:02 PM   #12
froZenX
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i got one more thing if you dont mind B)

heres a photo:

http://be.ice-blink.net/screwd.jpg

As you can see... I can only convert my NTFS to "Logical"... so does mean I cant convert to FAT32?

I will do about an 50 - 80 GB partition of ext3 depending if I can solve this Partition Magic problem....

Now I guess Ill ask at the forums of the program to see if i can b4 i try to install linux.

Again, I thank you for the awesome support.

-froZenX

Last edited by froZenX; 09-23-2003 at 05:03 PM.
 
Old 09-23-2003, 08:39 PM   #13
froZenX
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no one? (sorry, just to bump this up, its way at the bottome )
 
Old 09-23-2003, 10:44 PM   #14
froZenX
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Old 09-24-2003, 02:50 AM   #15
xaxol
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I have a Toshiba Satellite 2435-S255:
P4 2.4GHz, 40GB HD, 512MB RAM w/Windows XP originally installed....

I decided to make this a dual boot system, the following is what I did to make this work:

1. I ran the Disk Defragmenter utility to defrag the HD
2. Ran Partition Magic and resized my Windows XP (NTFS) partition to 20GB (from 40GB)
3. Created a Logical Partition w/Linux partition (ext3)
4. Booted the laptop from RedHat 9 cd and started the installation.
5. Selected to have RedHat partition the HD for me and selected Next
6. Selected "REMOVE ALL LINUX PARTITIONS" (DO NOT SELECT REMOVE ALL PARTITIONS) and clicked NEXT
7. RedHat will recognize the windows is installed (GRUB will be installed by default)
8. Select the packages you want and install it.
9. Configure xserver (Video card, Monitor)
10. You are all set, linux will reboot and GRUB will give you and option to boot into windows or linux.

I also set this up on a desktop with Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse - it works without any problems.

You do not need to convert your NTFS filesystem into FAT32. I have never tried it with RedHat (Tried it with Mandrake/SuSe and was able to access NTFS filesystem) but there is a way to make it work...

Hope this helps,
Let me know I you want me to clarify anything I wrote.
 
  


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