[netbios]

Hello,

I downloaded a version of Linux the other day to install in my computer.I wanna run a dual OPerating System with Linux the main usage.Right now I run XP.I see there is no FDISK on the cd and was wondering will I have to download and use a Partition Utlity to Partition and format my hard drive?

NetBios

[Paul Nagel]

When you instal linux, it will "see" the xp installation and give you the option of installing a bootloader. That will give you the chance at bootup to pick which os to start.

[netbios]

I downloaded A Linux version the other day.At least I think I did.I burned it on a cd. Im very novice whe it comes to the software.Ive been reading things about LILO and certain files for Linux? All I wanna do is install it and run a dual operating system.Will I have to download some utility that will partition my hard drive and when I boot from the Linux cd will it install?

NetBios

[Paul Nagel]

The downloaded linux will most likely have the bootloaded built in and simply installing the os will bring up the option of installing it or not. The setup programs i have see all have a basic program for partitioning also built in.

[netbios]

I'm not sure whats going on with this Linux I downloaded and then burned on a CD.I have my BIOS booting from the CD-ROM first and nothing seems to be happening.Do I have to prepare the partition first?


NetBios

[Paul Nagel]

If the download/cd burn is good, it should be bootable and thus will try to install automatically. As to the preparations, you should have a partition separate from the Windows partition to install the linux os on. I dont believe that the linux setup program will allow you to move/chage partitions as would Partition Magic. I have only a little experience with linux-2 installation total and both were on there own hard drive on dual boot systems. Hopefully someone more experienced will jump in and offer better advice.

[codejockey]

It would be helpful to know what version of Linux you are trying to install, as the installation procedures vary somewhat among distributions. Some distributions are very user-friendly, while others assume you know quite a bit about what you are doing and offer lots of control and options.

In general, you will need to install XP first, then Linux. You will need some free space available on your drive for Linux (5 Gbyte is probably fine unless you intend to store lots of MP3 files, etc.), and more is always better. Linux will take care of setting up its filesystems, etc. and updating the partition table during installation. Again, however, different distributions offer different degrees of support, so yours may offer minimal or none at all.

Now, for the bootable CD problem. You should have downloaded a .iso image and burned that to the CD. If you look at the CD and see one huge file, you haven't burned it correctly. Instead, you should see a series of files and directories. Which CD burning program are you using?

Any info appreciated -- hope this helps.

[Paul Nagel]

Thanks for jumping in codejocky. I did not want to leave the question unanswered but hesitated to offer specifics as my knowledge was limited to Mandrake 8.0 and Redhat 8.0. Red Hat was the most user friendly for a novice like me.

[mike00428]

Hey guys I seem to be having the same problem, I have downloaded and burned the .ISO image but I have no luck with booting from it. It is one large file ( i am guessing this is my problem). How do I get all the appropriate files and folders to show up when I burn the disk. I am burning using Nero and running a windows XP OS