which debian cd/dvd to install and take account of existing installations?
 

If you don't want, just yet, to leave WindoZe (or other) how do you install Debian and keep the previous installation. Deb on 32 bit version 6 at 6...6 will want you to do an exclusive Deb install (I think). Perhaps do a manual partition but that will not keep account of what you had before.

Any thoughts.

ps I had firmware files accessed and used.

The short version is . . .

1. Using a partition manager, shrink the Windows partition to make room for Linux partitions.

2. Install Linux to the now-unallocated space. The Linux installer will do--or allow you to do, depending on the distro--the partitioning of the unallocated space.

That's too short to be of any assistance, but it's the big picture.

Here's an article from the Debian wiki which provides more detailed information:

http://wiki.debian.org/WindowsDualBoot

And here's a video:

http://www.xpd259.co.uk/2011/12/debi...t-install.html

debian and or Windows
 

Dear frankbell (esp),
if you shrink an NTFS partition how reliable is say, Gparted? Some GNU/linux installers come with their own version of a partitioner, and they may be up to date on the latest version of NTFS, but Debian does not seem to make the transition easy.
Will a manual partitioning recognise a previous partition and shove Debian onto unpartitioned space?
Ubuntu 12.04 made this easy(I did not really want this) but will use it till I find a way of putting Deb. on a dual boot.

Fred.

I set up my dual-boot computer with Win7/Mint 13 using the Mint installer. It worked perfectly. Nevertheless, it's always a good idea to back up any important data.

Many of the partition editors included in Linux installation routines are the same partition editor used in GPartEd. The issue with Debian is may have to do with its not including NTFS drivers by default; it doesn't in the distro and may not on the install disk (I'm just not sure). Debian is aggressively free in its choices for defaults.

GPartEd is a very reliable tool. You should be able to resize the drive with it (or with another distro's installer), then install Debian to the now-unallocated space. Note that my knowledge is most theoretical--I've only ever set up two dual boot computers (Windows/Mint, Fedora/Slackware).

You might get a kick out of the Debian wiki item on NTFS: http://wiki.debian.org/NTFS

Create backups of everything important, then make room for Linux partition(s). The Debian installer will recognize existing systems and add them to the boodloader menu.