How does the Instalition Process of Mandrivia Linux go? I want to burn the instaliton files from CD1, and then install the main things, but can I partion my drive? Im running windows, but still wanna keep Windows on my machine. Also, is there a program that loads at startup and allows you to select what Operating System you wanna boot up?

This is actually really good about the latest Mandriva. You can have it resize your Windows partition, creating enough space for it to install. If possible, I'd recommend creating a sparate fat32 partition for shared data (if you need to have read-write access to the same dat from both OS's). Also, Mandriva will automatically configure lilo for dual boot (and it works well). You could possibly also use grub, but I haven't tested it in dual boot configurations yet.

Good Luck!

So I can create a seperate partion for Mandriva, and still acess my files from my other partion?

Yes, but Linux cannot write to NTFS partitions, it can only read from them. It can read and write to FAT32 partitions though.

Ok, thats alright. I just want to be able to create a FAT32 partion with the most ease from the installer to hold Linux, and store my settings and such. All my files are gonna be contained on my NTFS Windows partion.

Yeah create a partition to hold the Linux install and a FAT32 partition for sharing files between your Windows and Linux installs. Linux doesn't install on FAT32 partitions, it only has support for accessing them for compatability with the Microsoft world.

So Linux installs on an NTFS partion?

No, Linux has its own partition types - ext3 (the most common), reiserfs, jfs, xfs. You usually use ext3 if you don't have any particular preference for one of the others. Linux supports other partition types, especially FAT32 and NTFS, for compatability with other OSes, especially Windows but that doesn't mean that it can properly install on partitions of that type.

Here is a graphical look at exactly what you will see and deal with on a Mandriva 2006 install. It may answer some of your questions.
http://www.mandrake.tips.4.free.fr/installmdv2006.html

Wait, Is Mandriva free?

Get the powerpack edition. It can be obtained for free using bittorent. Or bought cheaply on internet (~10$).

Yes, Mandriva has both a free and a paid for version. The free version has everything you need, and is available for download in three cd or dvd format. The paid for version (including Powerpack) has a few extras such as an rpm version of proprietary video drivers etc, sun's java etc. All the extras on the paid for version can be installed manually from downloads from sun's or nvidia's website etc.

Weartheborg:
It is a pretty disappointing attitude to suggest people grab a paid for version without paying vendor for it when that vendor also provides a free version. I suppose if your grandmother said I'll give you $100 today for nothing or $500 today if you will agree to cut my lawn once a week for a year, you would take the $500 and never show to cut the lawn? Piracy is piracy. Moreover it is rediculous to pirate when there is a free offer on the table.

I agree with Lakota. I personally have been using the free download version from Mandriva's site, but that has been an economic decision. If I could, I would become a club member in a heartbeat. It is very reasonable, considering what you get with the membership. Plus, it helps finance further enhancements to this fine distro.

Weartheborg:
I apollogize for the flame. I am sure you were just trying to be helpful. That simply goes against the Mandriva business model, and survival of distros is based on making money to some degree. Since they do offer a free version I believe it is only fair to promote downloading that one for free. That said, I try not to get into flame wars or debates on this forum, so I ask you to rethink your idea of what is fair game in the Linux world. I would like to think software piracy is a windows phenomenon since there are no free alternatives. That said, don't let my rant ruin your day, just give it a little thought.

Do I need the 2nd and 3rd discs at install? I only have one burnable disc...