Need Help. Totally new to Linux
 

Hello everyone. I just found this site hoping to find some help installing Mandrake Linux 10.2. I want to make it so that I can run both that and Windows XP. So could someone help me in doing that.
Thanks.

its rather easy, you just need to create a second partition.

**this will format your comp aswell, you will loose all data**
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I only now how to do it with windows installled first however,

Enter ms dos (use a startup disk)

Type C: to switch to your hardisk

fdisk

in FDISK, delete logical & primary (? cant remember if that is what it is called)

Create 2 partitions (allocate disk space to each)

take out the boot-disk, throw in your WinXP cd and install it on the selected partition, after installing windows just do the same thing with your mandrake, and select the other partition to install it to.

Before toy do this make sure you backup all your data or you will lose it.
The entire drive will be reformatted.

I believe the Mandrake installation is pretty easy as MS Windows XP due to GUI...

Optionally, lilo and grub to boot from your MS Windows | Mandrake...

Good luck...

Google
 

Welcome to Linux. Also, remember that google is your best friend. If you google for dual boot Windows XP and Linux you will see literally 100's of how to's.

Good Luck and have fun with Linux!

thanks everyone. I am glad that I found this place

You don't need to wipe your drive clean. You can use some of the free space by shrinking your windows partition and then create partions for linux. Be sure to backup before you start just in case.

how do I create a partition for linux?

The tool for this is fdisk. Read the man page.
#man fdisk
the basics commands are
p prints the table
n creates a new partition ( there is a number steps involved here)
d deletes a parttion DO NOT delete the windows partion.
When creating your partitions you will need at least 2. One is for "/" which is your root partition and another which is "swap". Linux uses a separate partition for its swap space and this should be twice the size of your RAM.

in the mandrake setup there is an easy to use partition tool

just read this starter guide and you will be fine ;)

http://doc.mandrivalinux.com/Mandrak.../Starter.html/

http://www.sysresccd.org/ download their CD and type run_qtparted. This utility allows you to repartition without data loss.

Thanks everyone for the help. I have gotten Linux up and running, and I am going through the checking out phase.