How to proceed with a Linux installation? 1

[cgkeller]

I would like to install a Linux Distro (Debian, Suse 9.0 or Mandrake) on my AMD Desktop computer, which has:
2 hard drives (1 x 160 GB with WIN-98 and another 40 GB which is presently formatted as a DOS Partition, with no operating system on it).

This is what I propose to do:

1. Disconnect the 160 GB hard drive with WINB-98
(Master), so that I don’t damage anything.

2. Connect the 40 GB hard drive as “Master” (instead of
“Slave”) and reformat the drive
with Fdisk as a “Non-DOS partition”.

3. Then, reconnect the 160 GB hard drive with Win-98 as
the “Master” and re-connect the
40 GB hard drive as the “Slave” , which now is a
“Non-DOS Partition”.

4. Here I am not clear what to do:
I suppose I have to create on the 40 GB hard drive,
using Fdisk, 3 partitions:

a) Boot partition for Linux , how big?
b) Swap partition for Linux, how big?
c) Balance of Disk for Linux Files ?

5. Now I should be ready to install my Linux Distro ?

Any advice you could give me will be very much appreciated.

Charles.

 

[ericbrunson]

That's a lot more work than is necessary. Just put the second disk in as a slave, the installer will allow you to choose the second disk and will suggest sane partitioning.

 

[jstreich]

Indeed... It'd be a lot easier to just:
Leave both drives in.
1.) install windows on the master drive
2.) start Linux install, and chose to format the second drive as a Logical partion containg ext2 or ext3.

If your unsure about partioning mosr distros have an auto partion that will split a hard drive into reasonable sizes for you.

When prompted to install Lilo OR grub (depending on distro and preference), it doesn't matter which you use -- so long as you install it to the Master Boot Record (MBR). If you don't you'll have to use a boot disk to get back to your linux instalation.

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