partitioning a disk for SuSE linux

[frag]

Hello everbody!

I am an absolute linux rookie.
I bought Linux SuSE 7.0 (SuSE is a german linux distributor). The installation with Yast2 seams to be very easy but I have problems with the advanced partitioning option. I have no clue which partitions and mounting points I have to creat. I want to use half of the size of a 43 GB harddisk for linux and the other half for Windows98. The easiest way would be to creat a windows partition and after that let Yast2 do the partitioning job itself. But I need to have the first 1024 cylinders for '/boot' (because of LILO), that's why I have to do the partitioning on my own (and I don't have a tool like PartitionMagic!).

The SuSE manual says that I need '/swap', '/boot', '/root', '/', '/home', '/usr', '/opt' and '/var'. Do I really have to make a partition for every of this mount points? If yes, what would be a good size for each of them with a total disk space of about 21 GB?

Please help me!

Thanx.

frag patrick.metz@epost.de

 

[d3funct]

All you really need for linux partitions is "/" and "/swap".

The way to do it is to first put Windows98 on the box, make the partition using Windows "fdisk" and create your windows partition 2.1Gb. Install Windows98 and make sure it runs like you want it to.
Then install SuSE, when you get to the partitioning phase use the Linux "fdisk". You can get a menu of options by typing "m" and it will list all of the letter options to use to create the partitions. Type "p" to view the partition table. It should show only one partition for your Windows98 partition. Then use "a" (I think) to add a partition, make the second partition your swap space ( the l (L) option will list the partition types). Make the swap space 2 times the amount of your RAM. Then make the third partition your linux partition and use the rest of the disk for it. The "w" option will verify and write the partition tables you've created. Next you will be asked to provide mount points for the partitions you created (the "/swap" is automatically named), name your windows partition "/windows" and your linux partition "/". When asked where to keep the mbr keep it on the first partition, this will ensure your /boot is on the first 1024 cylinders, but windows will think it's the only OS (as usual) and you should not have any boot problems with lilo. Let us know how it goes and feel free to ask any questions at all. The only stupid question is the one that goes unasked.
d3funct
borg@pcgeek.net
The software required `Windows 95 or better', so I installed Linux.

 

[frag]

Hi 3dfunct!

You forgot about my LILO (boot manager) problem.
I needed a boot partition in the first 1024 cylinders of the disk!

Anyway... I fixed it on my own.
I created a /boot (about 15 MB) a /swapp (256 MB) and a /root (20 GB). This seams to work perfectly fine.
I just wonder if 256 MB swapp space are enough for 256 MB Ram?

Thanx for your reply!

frag patrick.metz@epost.de

 

[d3funct]

frag,

256Mb swap is fine, I just usually make my swap space 2x my RAM, but with 256 RAM you'll probably only use little if any swap. d3funct
borg@pcgeek.net
The software required `Windows 95 or better', so I installed Linux.

 

[aashishleo]

Hi Guys!
I am very new to Linux and want to give it a shot and require help from you guys.
well I am trying to install Linux and when it is to diskdruid and I assign 256 MB to SWAP and about 4000 MB last partition to /root then it gives an error as "there are currently unallocated partition present in the list of requested partitions.The unallocated partitions are showbn below along with the reason they were not allocated."

/ Boot Partition > 1024 cylinders.

I have 20 GB HDD, 4 partitions.
C: 4500 MB
D: 5000 MB
E: 5000 MB
F: 4500 MB

and I want to install linux in the F: partition.
What do I do now without destroying my data in C:, D: and E: drive?