Hi Arnaud_B,

I have done teh following already:
a) Backed up all my data.
b) Defragmented my HD.

Now I did also som emore research and currently weighting the following options in order to have both XP and Linux:
1) PartitionMagic to resize NTFS partitions on my comp.
2) Mandrake 9.1 (and up) that has a tool to resize NTFS partitions on XP.
3) Add a new HD.
4) Reisntall XP and resize partitions during the install.

So at this point I guess I'd like to re-think the Debian path. I'm trying to figure out if it is really possible with Mandrake...

I'll keep you posted.

Thank you!
Andrew

Sure take your time to take such decision but all these things can be made with every distro out there... and I still don't advise you to play with ntfs partitions from linux...
Good luck!
A.

Hi Arnaud_B,

Please confirm, are you saying that Debian has a same tool that will resize NTFS partitions on XP?
So why not to use it? Why instead to re-install the whole XP?

Back to "play with ntfs partitions from linux...".
In ordrer for me to "play with ntfs partitions from linux..." => I have to know how to do so,
Please let me know how I can impact the NTFS from LINUX, so I can be more carefull...

Thanks!
Andrew

yup there is probably a similar tool but no idea which one sorry... but not partition magic from what I know...
The only thing I meant with don't play with ntfs partition from linux is that writing to it is experimental... and "personnally", I would not play with this ntfs resizing stuff from linux... but I may be wrong, I don't know how it works and so I prefer not talking about it and not using it... but I admit that if it exists and works well it can be an option for you...
But how will you proceed... you plan to do that from a live cd? and then install a distro?
A.

Hi Arnaud_B,

Here is my plan of actions:
1) Back up my data on C:\ ===> DONE.
2) Defragment C:\ ===> DONE.
3) Run chkdsk on C:\ ===> someone recommended, but no idea why nad if I already defragmented, why would I need this...?
4) Here it comes (???)
a. I'm currently looking ofr the Madrake 9.1 or higher. If I find, will install from CD and repartition NTFS using Mandrake internal tool that designed specifically to resize the partions on XP, NT, 2000. Note, that they started distributing this tool only from 9.1 and up, not before. After that I'll complete installation, I checked most of my hwrdware is supported by Linux, so the drivers supposed to be identified with no issues... Hopefully.
b. If I can't find free version of Mandrake 9.1 +, I need to consider one of the following(inspite of the fact my budjet is really ---):
- buy Mandrake 9.1
- buy new HD
- buy Partition Magic

In such case I guess the best would be a new HD...
I do not want to rush...This is all I know...

Thanks for your support!
Andrew

I was able to resize the NTFS partition on my laptop using the Mandrake installation program. The data on my XP was OK afterwards. Since you have already backed up you data, restoring it could be a backup plan B incase there is a problem. ( I've even used the mandrake install disk to prep a hard drive for an NT 4.0 install at work. The windows installation program wouldn't partition a drive over 2 GB ).

After resizing the XP's partition, let the installation program of the Linux distro you want to install partition and format the rest. That should be the easiest way of doing things, unless your distro expects them preformatted.

Good Luck.

inq_ah,
your idea seems fine to me but again I am not familiar with this resizing stuff so I won't say anything about it... but common why do you want to buy Mandrake there are plenty of excelent free distro around... and even if you have to reinstall windows for that it seems to be worth it to me...
Good luck!
A.

Hi jschiwal,

The only thing left guys is to find where I can download really free versoion of Mandrake.
I found so far two links, but would like to go with the way that someone from Linux forum here already tried and it works.

Jschiwal, any pointers?

Thanks a lot!
Andrew

Arnaud_B,

Actually - it is just plan 2 buy.
I prefer the free distro, just not sure which webiste to use for this (mandrake 9.1 or higher).

Andrew

from what I see, you have the first 3 cd for free there
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...8&goto=newpost
Good luck!
A.

Arnaud_B,

You are the man!

Thanks!
Andrey

you're welcome :-)
I hope it will be fine... I have no idea which packages are on these cds but I hope everything you need will be there :-)
Good luck!
A.

Hi Guys,

Thank you for your support!
Well - I went with the safest (?) option and purchased a new Seagate HD.
I've went through the whole new ordeal installing it. Why all the manuals or User guides written for Albert Einstein type of people?
I have also installed Red Hat 9.0 (from the third time.
Myself with no help!!! (And I'm not savvy at all!). I found some issues during the 1st phase of install - Anaconda just hang and this was it. Well - I found work around and actually logged bug for Red Hat. I provided workaround in the bug - hope it will help someone if has the same issue.
Here is my situation now.
I have RH 9.0 installed and I have 2 books - one is huge (Secrets of Red Hat 9) and another small (Moving to Linux). In both just a bit and almost nothing said about how to connect to Internet. Mostly it says everything shall be detected automatically during the install and you are ready to go. And if it is not ready to go? I mean I’m very new to Linux, so here are my questions - PLEASE ADVISE:
1) where do I find the way how I need to establish/setup my Internet connection?
My Win XP on the original drive does has it - I use cable modem.

2) During the install phase I selected password for a GRUB, but it actually doesn't prompt for password at all. How do I setup this?

3) When GRUB menu comes up it lists Windows XP (default), Linux and DOS.
- What is DOS, I mean I know it is an old OS, but is it real; can I actually select and use it? Or is just a reference to the inial partition of my original HD where Win XP resides?
- Also if I do not select anything - Windows XP will launch automatically - and it is really just few seconds. So where can I increase the time for GRUB selection or make it wait until I do select something?

4) When I've installed Linux on the 2nd HD, I have feeling that when I launch Win XP from the GRUB it takes more time as usual (before I've installed new HD and Linux on it). Any idea why? I'm sure if I'll remove new HD - the system will start working faster as it used to be.

5) When I select Linux from GRUB, it starts showing all the messages (like it takes about a minute or so). Message with the entire OK in the end of statement. Is this a mandatory or is it normal. Nothing mentioned in the books I have about this.
It looks like:
Bla-Bla-Bla device OK
Bla-Bla-Bla device OK

Is there any way to remove this text from appearing?

Thank you very much for your help and support!
I really would appreciate if you can point me out to some documentation where I can find out to my answers or if you can explain by yourself in details.
I listed my questions in the priority order, so as you see - Internet is # 1 for me, however I do like to get the feedback on other doubts I have as well.

Thanks again!
Andrew

Linux distributions are usually pretty good about auto-detecting internet connections. You can work to fix this, but I think a better course of action would be just getting a newer distribution (isn't Red Hat 9.0 a bit old? Fedora is the offshoot of Red Hat that's for desktop users). Ubuntu has pretty good hardware detection. So does Mepis.

Have you tried just selecting it to see what happens? Couldn't hurt. Even if you select it, and it goes to a blank screen and freezes, you can force restart your computer and just know not to use that option again. That option can also be taken off your Grub list, too, if its mere presence bothers you.

This can be changed by editing the /boot/grub/menu.lst file in Linux, assuming, of course, that you installed Grub on the MBR. Otherwise, if you're using Windows' boot loader, the file is C:\boot.ini (it's a hidden file) in Windows. I think in either case it's called "timeout." Then, there's a number--that's the number of seconds. You'll also notice in both menu.lst and boot.ini that's there's something called "default," and that's usually set to 0--that means the first OS listed is the default OS to boot to. If you change that number to 1, the second OS will be the default; 2, the third OS; etc.

My guess is that you installed the Grub boot loader in the MBR (which is a good thing), but the MBR is probably on your first hard drive, whereas Grub's settings are on the second hard drive (where Linux is). Any reason you didn't just do a dual-boot from one hard drive? Believe it or not, that's actually easier. I know Arnaud_B was just trying to help, but I think you ended up more confused. A dual-boot is very easy to configure with the latest version of Mandriva or the latest version of Mepis.

Do you see something in your /boot/grub/menu.lst that has the word verbose in it? If you change that to silent, that should solve your "problem." I'd keep it as is, though, particularly since you're a beginner. It may look unsightly, but if you ever get errors, you'll know exactly what failed and wasn't "OK."

I actually created a Linux guide just for people like you:

http://www.psychocats.net/essays/linuxguide.php

Check it out. Let me know if you find it at all helpful.

Hi Aysiu,

Thanks for your feedback!
I do really appreciate you took time and ansered each of my questions.
I'll answer/clarify, ask in order you posted your feedback - this way it is much easier for us to know what are we discussing (more like what are you trying to help me with.

1) About your feedback # 1.
Well, I am convinced and my next step would be to install FC4. So all the other issues are "gone" for now.
However I do have once concern. This is actually about my Internet connection.
I went and started trying to configure my network (internet) connection yesterday.
I think I found the issue - my Ethernet card is not detected, or better to say not supported by Linux. It is just my guess. I checked in the big book of Secret of Linux, there is a list of Ethernet cards supported by Linux and also couldn't find my.
I have: Network Adapter = Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller and I didn't find it in the list of Ethernet cards. And RH also said so - something like: "Failed to find the ethernet card...".

So what do I do in this case? This card is working perfectly fine with my 1st HD (Windows XP)...

2) About your feedback # 4.
Yes, I installed the Grub boot loader in the MBR. Arnaud_B helped me a lot - no confusion here and I was not confused at all
I just analized the situation and decided that it would be much safer for me to have 2 separate HDs with XP and RH on separate drives.
NOTE:
In both books I have it is recommended to setup GRUB on the Master Boot Record (which is located on the first sector of PC's hard disk (C: drive). However. I think it would be better if to select First sector of the Linux boot partition. I figured it out yesterday.
I've disconnected my HD with RD linux and and system was giving me the following error on boot: "GRUB disk error -". Or something like this...

Also same "GRUB disk error -" would happen if one decides (as I did) to use external enclosure ofr HD based on the USB connection....

I liked your website!
http://www.psychocats.net/essays/linuxguide.php
I've printed it out and will learn it today on my way home!

Thanks a lot! It really means a lot to me, that there so many great people here!
Andrew
P.S. I promise - once I'll become Linux savy - will alos help all the new comers (inspired by you guys...).