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Wraith2288 05-15-2003 05:40 PM

Issues with hard drive...
 
I've been trying for a while now to get linux to work on my laptop, with no success. The issue is that since my current harddrive is pretty much full, and I don't feel like moving all the files so I can partition, I'm trying to install linux on my USB harddrive. The issue is that the distro i've tried (Debian) doesn't have support for the USB on boot (or at least, thats what someone told me), i've tried all the various debian discs, and I'm wondering if some other distro would be capable of being installed on the harddrive.

dejan_j 05-15-2003 06:05 PM

i have done the same thing but wit with redhat..Also many people run into trouble when playin round with laptops and linux but good luck anyways...

Wraith2288 05-15-2003 06:11 PM

yeah... I've found various sites that explain how to install various distro's on my type of laptop. now if only I understood what they're telling me to do...

BoldKiller 05-15-2003 08:44 PM

here is an idea:

- use a partion resize utility to shrink one of your partion of about 20 mb.
- use that new space (20 mb) to mount /boot.
- mount the rest of linux on your USB drive.

Basicly what will happend is:
- Linux will boot using your normal hard drive.
- Once basic boot as been done, USB should be available and the USB drive should work.

Note: This should work assuming your USB drive is suported by linux.

Good luck

Wraith2288 05-15-2003 09:04 PM

are there any free/cheap partition resizing programs? I could move programs over and put all of linux, its an issue of all the partition adjusting programs I find costing like 70 $$... I'm in high school... getting a job this summer, but spending that much on a program I use once is kinda steep.

BoldKiller 05-16-2003 07:34 AM

Theres one called FIPS.
It comes on the first redhat CD. (in the dos tools folder)
(Note: as the name of the folder implies, it is not a linux utilitie, but a dos one.)

You should read the doc carefully before using it. I have used it in the past and it works great.

Wraith2288 05-17-2003 02:53 PM

OK... when I use FIPS, how big of a partition do I need to put all of Red Hat, and have space to play with? I have a 30 gig hard disc, so maybe I should just put the actual distro on my main one, and put all the other files on the USB harddrive?

bulliver 05-17-2003 04:58 PM

if you do a full install of Redhat you need 5GBs just for the installation which is huge. If you do a custom install or a desktop install you can get away with less. If you have the free space give it 10GB and you have lots of room to play with.

The 'how to install redhat linux' docs tell you the minimum space required for each type of install.

Wraith2288 05-18-2003 09:14 AM

I'm thinking I'll go with 7 gigs, so: full install, plus 2 gigs to play with... I can always make a small partition on my USB and let linux use that later, right?

Wraith2288 05-19-2003 06:13 PM

ok... I assume I can reformat just the partitioned section, right? or will it ask how I want it formatted then? I have 12 gigs of space free, which is several more than I plan to use... how do I need to format the partition to run linux. I've decided on Redhat 8.0 after reading several things that say its a breeze to install on my laptop model.

bulliver 05-19-2003 07:10 PM

Just fire in the install disk. Use disk druid to make partitions. You can make several partitions with your free space if you want.

The installer will detect your current partitions, and your free space, and allow you to erase current ones, or just make new ones with the free space if that's what you want.

Quote:

I'm thinking I'll go with 7 gigs
5GB was the full install for RH 8, if your going to use 9 then you should check out the website and get the exact figure.. it might be closer to 6 now....

As you said though, you can set up your USB if you run out of space.

Wraith2288 05-20-2003 03:13 PM

any reason to use disc druid rather than FIPS? Is it safer, more user friendly, or what?

how do I need to format the partition (assuming you can format just that partition, not the whole disc)... otherwise, Im stuck with ntfs

Wraith2288 05-20-2003 06:35 PM

wait... if my primary partition is not FAT, fips can't resize it? what program do I use then?

Wraith2288 05-21-2003 04:12 PM

now I have people telling me that programs in XP can partition without destroying (and also "just download partition magic"... but I'd feel wrong, you know?)


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