So i have 20 gbs of unallocated space on my hard disk. I get this error when i try to install fedora using the "Use existing space" Option.

Shouldn't it create a new partition automatically? I have 400 gigs on my C: drive, and 20 gigs of Unallocated space. Why doesn't this work.

My theory is that this isn't truly unformatted space like i need. It says it's unallocated though?

So apparently you can only have four partitions. Is this true? In that case i can't install it? Here's a picture of my disk management. [2] http://i.imgur.com/fCbmh.png what should i do?

Your harddisk is setup to use Windows' dynamic partition layout. This is currently not supported by Linux. You won't be able to install Linux to that disk.

You can only have 4 primary partitions if 1 of them is an extended or logical partition you can put the free space there then you'll be able to install.

My apologies TobiSGD

So tobi, what should i do? I'm soooo confused.

I would recommend to use a virtual machine to try Linux. If you really want to make a native install on your harddisk you would have to make a total re-install of the entire machine.

Should i just say **** it, and use wubi ubuntu? I've done that before.

If it works (I am not sure if Wubi works with dynamic partitions) than that would of course also be an option.

A quick search shows that Wubi doesn't work. The only solutions would seem to be
1. virtualisation
2. run Linux as a live system off a big USB stick
3. kill Windows!

I wondered if the dynamic installation could be shrunk (I know nothing about Windows — I've never had it) but the M$ website says you can only create partitions on a basic disk, so it looks like the dynamic system has to occupy the whole thing.

I don't care for wubi even though I read many people who love it.

One issue is where the space is. If at end then no you may need to create a bit more at the beginning to use for at least /boot.

DavidMcCann and TobiSGD are correct in that if you have a newish supported system and enough resources a VM is a great way to go.

An 8G usb is enough to install Fedora too if you want. You don't even need to use unetbootin or universal usb installer. A 16G is almost cheap now and you could run linux for a year or so on it I'd guess without ever running out of space. Some usb installs are funky once in a while too. The most safe way they work is the www.pendrivelinux.com ways.