[eddie5659]

Hiya

I had this thread in Win98:

http://forums.techguy.org/showthread...eat+partitions

Anyway, the Win2000 dosen't seem to want to install. It may be due to the fact that the MB is of an older type, and that may have some conflicts.

Anyway, thinking of trying out Linux instead. I have Win98 on 30GB, and the remaining partition, 10GB, will be for Linux.

Now, I'll have to format that one again, as it has bits of the Win2000 setup on it, but here are my questions.

Seen that there are many types of Linux, and I have a one off a cover of a magazine. Its Mandrake 7.0, but the cover says that I need Win98 installed to run the CD.
I take it, this is an upgrade, so to speak.

Now, does this seem like a good idea, or should I find one that starts purely from the format?

The reason, also, that I have an older version than the 8.2, is that I would like to install the security updates manually, so as to learn more. And I know there are a few for this version.

Does that make sense?

Anyway, on the CD, it says it contains Mandrake, GIMP (Whats that?), wordprocessing and fax tools.

Thank you in advance

eddie

[strudles]

It stand for Gnu Image Manipulation Program. I think it quite comparable to PhotoShop.

[codejockey]

The CD may not be bootable, which would explain why you need Windoze installed (or at least access to the CD-ROM drive from DOS). Unless the CD specifically says it is an upgrade, I'd guess it's a full distribution (I'm not even sure most Linux distributions issue upgrade CDs), which pretty much amounts to the same thing, anyway. During installation, you may be given the choice to either upgrade or install fresh; the main difference is that a fresh installation will recreate the file systems Linux uses, whereas an upgrade will attempt to use existing Linux file systems and replace the contents with newer versions.

Normally, Linux distributions are on bootable CDs, but there's no reason you can't install after booting Windoze first.

And yes, the GIMP is a full-featured image manipulation program.

Hope this helps.

[eddie5659]

Thanks

If I install on top of Windows, can I still access all the behind-the-scenes that is expected when using Linux?

eddie

[codejockey]

Not sure what you mean when you say you are installing "on top of Windows". If you mean in a separate partition, but with dual-boot capabilities, the answer is definitely "yes" -- you will be running one O/S at a time, even though you may have access to the files of the other (Linux, for example, can mount and access Windows filesystems). It sounded like this was the kind of thing you intended, from the description in your original post. If I've misunderstood, however, please feel free to disregard anything I've said, as it may not apply to what you have in mind.

Linux happily accepts dual-booting (or even tri-booting), so there's no worries there, provided each O/S has its own partition. Although you can run Linux from within a Windoze partition, it's mostly useful for experimentation (since you don't necessarily have to repartition/reformat). Once you decide to go ahead with Linux, I recommend having a dedicated partition (or several).

Hope this helps.

[sahil]

Eddie,

It shouldn't matter whether or not you have Windows installed. The Mandrake ISO images available at <a href="http://www.linuxiso.org/distro.php?distro=29">linuxiso</a> are bootable; if yours isn't working, just grab a free copy from there. Also, your system's BIOS must be capable of supporting a bootable CD-ROM. If the system BIOS has this capability, an EIDE (ATAPI) CD-ROM drive attached to the system should be able to boot from the compact discs.

[1] http://www.linuxiso.org/distro.php?distro=29

--
Sahil <sahil@despammed.com>

[eddie5659]

Okay

I'll try and explain a bit more.

The CD that I have has other thing installed on it, apart from Linux, so therefore, thats why it says the following:

Insert the CD
Under Win95/98/NT4, go to Run and type D:\supercd.htm

It needs IE installed, and Windows. So, I assume its not going to install it soley on its own, but on top of Windows. If thats the case, I'm not 100% sure I can access all of Linux, the behind the scene stuff.

sahil: Thansk for the idea about iso's, but I assume I'll need a burner for that. Another expense

NOOOOOO, just tried it, and it was ejected. Tried many CD's, and they all came out. New CDROM.

Off to dabs for the CDR I doth go

Anyway, as to the ISO, is that a good option to go by? I'd like a full, bootable working version.

Thanks

eddie

[codejockey]

From the looks of things, the D:\supercd.htm file is some sort of web page interface (i.e., html) to something on the CD (possibly some menu of options or similar). However, the CD may still be bootable; have you tried putting the CD in the drive, shutting down your system, and then re-booting? Assuming your BIOS is set to boot from CD first (or at least before the hard drive), you should be able to boot if the CD is bootable. Most Linux distributions are packaged on bootable CDs (although you generally do not have to boot from the CD in order to install Linux -- it's just an option).

The .iso file is a CD image, and is identical to the original distribution. If the original distribution was bootable from CD, the .iso file will be as well. The .iso file is a complete distribution (note that because a Linux distribution often requires more than one CD, you may have to download more than one .iso file in order to duplicate a distribution).

Hope this helps.

[eddie5659]

Thanks

I'll try the bootable approach tomorrow. I'll format it first, to get rid of the Win2000 stuff.

I'll let you know

eddie

[eddie5659]

Okay

taken a look, and yes, it has the option to install without the OS.

However, I have another problem. My video card.

Its a Rage 128, and ATI say they don't have drivers for it.

Found this:

http://www.linuxnewbie.org/nhf/intel...i_rage128.html

But not sure if thats what to do. Has anyone got an easy approach, or even a driver, for Mandrake 7.0?

I'll install it as soon as possible, just getting my video driver for Win98 installed first.

Thanks

eddie

[sahil]

First of all, I know for a fact that your ATI Rage 128 video card is supported by Mandrake 7.0. For more information, check this[1] link.

As far as the link you proposed, that looks like it might work, I can't say for sure. Have you tried installing Mandrake yet, or are you just worried because you noticed the ATI drivers aren't on their website? If the latter, try installing -- I have a feeling Mandrake might just autodetect. Again, I can't be too sure since I don't really use Mandrake, but I've heard it does a lot of the basic stuff for you.

Good luck.

[1] <a href="http://www.linux-mandrake.com/en/fhard70.php3">http://www.linux-mandrake.com/en/fhard70.php3</a>

--
Sahil <sahil@despammed.com>

[eddie5659]

Thanks Sahil

yes, thats why I haven't installed it yet. That, and I have only a lousy modem. Gonna get a network card, but then I have to do some networking at home. Now, thats new terratory for me.

I'll post when I have to do that, in Networking.

I've got 2 days off, so I'll have an attempt then.

Thanks

eddie

[eddie5659]

Hiya

Still haven't installed it. The reason is this....

I have 2 partitions on that PC. Now, it boots to Win98 as default, but I can stop it going by using the arrow keys when it reaches that part on startup.

Now, I try and go into the Linux partition, and it says that a part of Win2000 isn't there. I'll get the full message in the morning.

However, I have formatted that drive just recently, after having problems installing 2000...on that partition only.

How do I get onto that partition to install Linux?

I have also this off the CD:

Launch install from MS-DOS
If you have MS-DOS installed on your computer, you can boot the installation system directly from the CD without using any diskettes.
To do this (assuming your CD is drive D, use the following commands:

C:\> D:
D:\> cd \dosutils\autoboot
D:\dosutils\autoboot> autoboot.bat

Note that this method will not work if run in a DOS window -- the autoboot.bat file must be executed with DOS as the only operating system. In other words, Windows cannot be running.

Now, I have C as Win98, I assume D is Linux, would E be CDROM?
But, I need to get onto that partion.

Thanks

eddie

[trev.h]

What a palaver. I will keep this simple so as not to blow your mind.

I'm in the UK so for starters, give me your address and I will post you a copy of Mandrake 8.0 download edition that I don't need (8.2 is the latest). This will boot straight from CD.

During the install Mandrake will ask to partition a drive, these will NOT be called C:, D:, etc.
Your C: will be hda, your D: will be either hdb, hdc or hdd depending on which ide interface the drive is plugged into.

Select your drive hdb/hdc/hdd drive. This will install to what your windows knows as D:. Note that if you delete all existing partitions from this drive and use it all for linux (might as well), there will not be a windows recognised partition on the drive so Windows will only see C: for win & D: for your CD. Windows does not reconise Linux partitions.
DO NOT DELETE ANY hda PARTITIONS, YOU WILL DELETE WINDOWS.

Looks like the Win 2000 startup stuff is entries in your MBR. Don't worry about this at the moment.
When installed Linux will overwrite the MBR with either LILO or GRUB, these handle the boot process and can be managed easily with a gui when in X.

ATI 128 Rage is supported, although you may need to manually setup the display if it is an ATI Rage Pro.

Good luck
Trev.

[eddie5659]

Hiya

Thanks for the reply. I'm downloading an iso that sahil gave in this link:

http://www.linuxiso.org/distro.php?distro=29

And the other iso's as well.

Don't really like giving my address out, so hope you're not offended by me not giving you it.

As soon as I've dowloaded and burned them all, I'll give it a go, along with your instructions.

Thanks

eddie