SuSE 9.0 and Windows XP-NTFS Install ?
 

Alright,

Obviously I'm posting in Newbies section for a reason.

I have Windows XP-home with NTFS file structure setup right now. I need to know how I can best and now install SuSE 9.0 and have the bootup ask me which OS to boot into. I know this might be an easy question. I have all 5 of these discs. As long as I can boot into either os at startup, I'd be stoked! Like I said I have Win Xp exactly where I want it. No changes please.

I also wanted to know what you think as opinion is better to start with Mandrake or SuSE? Why?

Thanks a ton guyz!

SoHx801

It shouldn't be a problem.

The only thing that I can think of that might cause a bit of consternation is partitioning.

I haven't tried any of the SuSE range for over 2 year's, so I don't know what partitioning facility is available to you (if any). Though I would have thought that there's something.

Personally, when I first started with linux, I tried SuSE, and didn't have to worry too much as my XP install had (for reason's that I don't understand) three partitions. The main windows one, a rescue one and I don't recall the name of the third. At any rate, I jotted down the sizes, had a look to see what was on the third one (nothing) and just told the installer to put it there.

It worked fine.

Since then, I've graduated to having only one partition for my windows (the "rescue" disc that I had with the pc seem's to have everything on it so I don't bother with a rescue partition), and then I have a boot partition, a swap partition, a root partition and a home partition. All the partitioning has been done with Partition Magic 8, I tell it what size partition I want, and then just tell it to format as ext3 (I only get offered ext2, ext3 and linux swap).

Whereas you should be able to get away with having just the one linux partition, if you've got 512 of ram then that should be enough to get you going without any problem's.

When the installer ask's you where you want to put the boot loader, then opt for the first section of the MBR, it should see the windows partition fine and offer it to you as an option.

I don't know whether SuSE uses lilo or grub as their default bootloader - I've tried both, and prefer LILO - some people prefer grub. Linux = choice :confused: :D

If you've got to make space for the linux install, then how much space you'd need depend's on what you want to install e.g. Mandrake 10 official standard, three disc's come to nearly 2 gig's or so - that'd be if you installed everything.

I've got lot's of shit installed so at the moment my base system (i.e. the root partition) is using about 3.2 gig's of 20 gig's I've got allocated to it. Though my home partition is about 70 gig's. So if you could free up, say 20 gig's of space, that would be plenty, you could get away with less quite easily.

Before you ended up resizing you window's partition, you'd be better of running defrag and/or disc cleanup.

Or you could get another hard drive.

the choice is your's.....


Hope this help's some.

regards

John

Alright,

Cool. Thanks for the info. So, I have only 1 NTFS partition right now. I can get Partition Magic 8. I only have a 30 gig HD I would like 10 gig's for SuSE. SuSE 9.0 apparently has the grub loader. I was told not to have the grub loader as the MBR if windows was installed. Is this correct? Also, should I just make an ext2 then with my situation and I would need a swap for RAM issues. Swap right? Let me know. Thanks.

Oh, I didn't get an answer on Mandrake vs. SuSE. Which is preferred?

I would like something easy to use with as little (I'm new) drivers/linux coding skills/ compatability issues possilble. (Isn't that what everyone says or thinks)

Like I said I'm a newbie just wanting to take a bigger step away from paying Micro$oft. I do use XP for games and stuff though =(

SoHx801

Alright, Don't worry about it. I got it going swell-like!

I used Partition Magic 8 and had it write a swap and other (big one) at end of HD and they were both as extended not primary. SuSE 9 has a expert/custom bootloader option for both LiLo and Grub. I think LiLo seemed to be a little quicker for me. So that's it. Oh and you can covert them to change if needed too. Whelpers thanks. I'm off to Linux 101 now.

Oh quick question. Now my perty Lizard (blue screen) loader is gone and I'm watching the penguin and inits going on now. Which is fine. I kinda like the F2 option though. Does anyone know how to get this one back?

Thanks a ton

SoHx801