Red Hat 7.1 on Dell 8200 ( 40 GB) - How to partition
 

I am planning to install linux on my Dell Dimension 8200. I have many questions . But here's the first one

I have a 40GB Harddrive.

I know I have to install linux within the first 8 GB. I dont want to keep more than 10 GB for the whole linux partition . Or in other words I want to have more space ( more than 8GB) for the windows . In that case how do I partition the hard drive ( with FIPS )

Can I create something a like a D Drive for the windows which may reside after the linux partition .
Pardon my novice ideas .
But can you guys help me

If you get RH 7.2 you can forget about the limit. But if you'd like to install 7.1, you can create, let's say 5GB Linux partition+small swap (300MB) and use the rest of your hd for Windows. It will work.

tip:
 

start with making a 12gig? windows partition in the dos/fdisk , that is familiar for you.
leave the other 8? gig unpartioned for linux. after windows install is done install linux and fill those 8? gigs up.

NEVER install windows after linux because windows fdisks your MBR. and you won't be able to start linux unless u start up with a floppydisk

tip: keep your windows partition FAT32 if u can also choose for NTFS (NT) NTFS is a bitch to get it working in linux. (reading from it)

Thanks guys for your help .

To clarify ....

what should I have in the first 8gig partition the whole linux or only the boot directory of linux . If show will the installation process aske me where to place the boot directory where LILO resides

Hi Surajit,
I too have a Dell Dimension 8200, and am thinking of installing Linux (as dual boot with the current WinXP). I am going to get Partition Manager to resize my active Windows partition to be around 20Gig and keep the rest for Linux. Is there something else I should do? Which Linux did you use? I was thinking of using Mandrake (but not sure which version yet).
also what about hardware compatibility problems? I connect using a cable modem, wonder if that is supported in Linux.
Thanks
You can also email me at chintanmehta@attbi.com with your experience/tips.

Only the boot directory (/boot). It can be 5-10MB. The rest may be anywhere.

You don't need to do anything more. Just resize the Windows partition.
I suggest Mandrake or RedHat (newest versions). Cable modems are supported. Usually you need to install PPPoE software and configure it (the same data you use in Windows).