i have 39GB HDD with 3 partitions on it.

On 1 partition, WIN2k prof. is installed. other 2 are FAT32.

I want to use one of these partition to install LINUX.

I am pretty afraid to try installing on this HDD as any mistake will wipe out my important data on WIN2K.

May i know the safest way to try installing Linux and also,

Which Linux is advisable to install (RED HAT 7.1 or MANDRAKE 9.0?

Hi umannu -

this may help you get started:
http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/Linux+WinNT.html

also run a few searches here (upper right corner of page) for "dual boot" - it's a very popular topic, you'll find tons of information on it.

good luck

Thanks for that link.

i read that but it suggests to try Auto installation of RED HAT which i'm afraid to try. I am not sure if that might destroy my WIN2000 partition.

Or anyone knows if Auto installation of RED HAT works fine and does not clear all partitions.?

Well....If the other 2 partitions are FAT32, then you shouldnt be afraid to experiment at all....

First of all....move all your important stuff to the first FAT32 partition.

This will leave the last partition for you free.

Now if you really dont want to be hassled by the partitioning....go for Mandrake .....It has an auto-allocate feature that does the partitioning for you. Now first delete the last partition and then press auto-allocate and mandrake will make your life easy.

Otherwise, you can try red hat too....i prefer to manually partiton it using Disk Druid as it gives me better control over the process.

just make sure that u allocate twice the amount of your system RAM to the swap partition. You can optionally create a /home partition or assign the entire area to /

In other words using Disk Druid, create 2 partitions....

/boot - with twice amount of your RAM - set to linux swap filesystem

/ - with the remaining space in the partiton - set to ext3 filesystem

I hope you will be able to install RedHat or Mandrake easily now.

Good Luck

Thanks amit. i worked with Mandrake on my other HDD and i think i can try that on this win2k hdd.

I was just worried coz i tried mandrake 9.0 on my other HDD (new formatted) but after the stage where it asks me to select programs to install, it just doesn't show anything on screen. I am not sure if my CD is corrupted or some problem with installtion. I also tried Red Hat 7.1 on this HDD but it comes out with error after the stage where it formats partition and begins to "Transfer image on HDD" it gave me error - no space on HDD.

So i just replaced HDD and am trying to install on the other HDD where i have running Win2000.

Anyways,

thanks.

You should in that case make sure that you check the mandrake CD before u go for installation...

so its better if u test the boot media for errors...all recent linux distributions feature this check to avoid installation errors.

In case, you are not able to install it in the graphical mode, try installing using the text mode.....

in redhat...type

linux text

where u r asked the method of installation i.e the first screen that's displayed immediately after the system boots in linux....


of course there r other options too...like

linux lowres

to install in a lower resolution for cards that do not support 800x600 and above resolutions.

anyways...just thought of giving u this information....thats all....

good luck with the installation.