Partitioning an all Windows hard drive
 

I need to know how to divide a partition into two seperate partitions without losing data on the original.

uSE PARTITIONING MAGIC.

You could get the Linux Rescue cdrom from http://www.sysresccd.org/ .
It has a nice linux tool called QTPARTED. This allows you to resize partitions and do other things similar to partition magic.

I hate repeating hear-say, but I have been told that my kernel panics are because of using a windows based partitioning tool. Your better off with homey's suggestion.

If you still want to use Partition Magic, just create an empty partition and let the Linux install comfigure it and don't use Boot Magic, let Linux install Lilo or Grub on the MBR. That worked flawlessly for me.

Baldrick

Partition Magic will work well as long as you don't make the Linux partitions with it, Linux can do that much better. There's always Parted/QtParted.

For 'lossless repartitioning' use fips (google it). It allows you to create another partition(s) on you disk without losing the one you've already got (lossless).

You should firstly backup all your important windows data 'just in case'. Then run defragmentation to compress your windows data (push it to one 'end' of your disk) and then scandisk (also just in case).

You then run fips to create a new Linux partition(s) in the space you've created.

First, under Windows, you need to defragment your drive, then run scandisk. I haven't used windows in ages, but these are under 'system utilities' or something like that.

Then use partition magic or whatever.

If you're looking to dual boot Windows and Linux, may I suggest you try Mandrake Linux? It will create new partitions and do ALL of the boot configuration for you. It's perfect for splitting up a Windows drive. Very, very easy.

Thanks guys i got it workin with QPARTED.