I'm currently running XP SP1 with 3 hds - I want to install Mandrake Linux 9.2 on my [d] or possibly even [e] drive - is this possible, or even a good idea?

First of all, if you are sure that you have three hard drives, find out how large they are, and if you want to use each one with linux. Read this [how-to] to modify your particular drive that you would like to dedicate:
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...icle&artid=121

Here is the HOW-TO for mandrake: 9.1 and 9.2

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...ticle&artid=73

YOU MAY WANT TO DOWNLOAD MANDRAKEMOVE FIRST!! It is a CD based linux distro that doesn't install linux on you HD; just lets you get the feel for it before you take the big partitioning step

Good luck

I have my hard drive partitioned into three:- C,D and linux. I'm currently running Mandrake 9.2 on the Linux partition with no problems whatsoever.

When installing Linux, it asks you where to put it, just make sure it doesn't install over Windows. The default position is usually the empty "drive".

Mandrake will let you access your Windows drives through Linux, so you will be able to get at any windows files you wish to.

Just be careful when you mention the C: and D: drives, those are considered to be Windows drive letters. In Linux they are referred to as /dev/hda1 (your "C" drive), /dev/hdb1 (your "D" drive) , /dev/hdc1 (either your E drive or CDROM)

Of course these associations are just an example. Don't quote me on how your system was installed, since I don't have that info..

I still stand by my recommendation for burning a copy of Mandrake Move and running that BEFORE installing Mandrake on your computer [for an extreme ]

That way, you get a feel for what you are doing first and you don't accidentally erase your Windows files.

The first time I ever tried Linux I installed on an the second logical drive in the extendede partition. Alltogether it was drive E: in WIndows.

Ryeman:

Absolutely.

Most Linux distros appear to pick up on Windows partitions automatically, but care must be taken. Otherwise you'll install over Windows!

I concur with your advice on running Linux from a CDrom, you can play with it to your heart's content and not do anything irrevocable!