I am sorry but this must be the most stupid and simple question ever. I am fresh as can be to Linux so thats why, sorry. I really want to learn how it works but the internet is just a big chaos or its just me, I cant really find what I am searching for.

I want to install Linux XP on my PC next to Windows XP. Linux XP has some really easy screens with complete descriptions but I cant figure out how I can set a root without destroying my Windows XP. I am this far; there are programs like Partition Magic which can change partitions without destroying data.

On my c:/ I have Windows XP installed. I have about 12 gb of free space next to that. When I want to install Linux it says it needs a root. But to set a partition to root partition I have to format it. What can i do to avoid losing my Windows? I want to be certain I have something to get on the internet with when something goes wrong or I cant figure out how Linux works...

I am working with a Pentium 4 Compaq desktop. I already have written down all my network information which was recommended in the Linux XP quickstart reader.

Thanks a lot for your help. If there is anything I forgot to mention please let me know.

If you have something like Partition Magic, you'll need to create a second partition on your hard drive out of that 12GB of free space. I don't know about about Linux XP, but every Linux distro I've used comes with the utility necessary for creating partitions. Ususally that is a step during the installation process. In any event, once you've ceated the new partition, that is the one that you will use as root (/). Linux will see the first partition as /dev/hda1 and the second as /dev/hda2 (or sda1 and sda2 if using SATA drives).

Thanks.

Yes, Linux XP comes with Automatic partition manager and DiscDruid. Although i have 12gb of free space I cant use the c:\ because it says it isnt a root partition. And to make it a root partition I have to format it to a root partition it tells me.

The root of a Linux is its home. In a hard disk it can be any partition (either a primary or a logical).

When a user choose a partition to install a Linux that is its root. It is perfectly acceptable to house a Linux in one partition plus a swap partition if it is the first one. The swap is not necessary from 2nd Linux onward as they all use it.

Therefore once a root has been specified, i.e. a partition like /dev/hda2 if /dev/hda1 (called "C" inside Windows) is occupied by XP, a user can go ahead to format it for Linux use.

A proper installer will not offer a NTFS or Fat32 partition as a choice to a user to install a Linux.