Partitioning Windows at the end?

[trenzterra]

I want to install Red Hat 9, and I want to partition Windows at the end, so that I can download all the RH ISOs, and later on, delete Windows, so that I can utilise the space. Is this possible? I have no CD burner etc...

[MrStaticVoid]

Maybe I am misunderstanding your problem, but even if you download the ISOs, how would you use them. You have to boot from the burned ISO image, but you have no CD burner. It sounds to me like you'll have to buy the CDs. I recommend http://www.edmunds-enterprises.com/linux/index.php. I bought Gentoo 1.4 i686 from them as it the cheapest store around.

[trenzterra]

I am doing a HDD install, so I do not need to burn the isos. I am using Windows now just to download the isos for a HDD install.

[trenzterra]

Heres what I want.

I have a 20GB Hdd.

Windows goes right to the end, from 15-20GB.

Then, I install Linux on the unpartitioned space, from 1-14.99GB of the HDD. All my RH9 ISOs reside on my Windows partition, so that i can install from there.

Then after installation, I use parted etc to delete my Windows partition, and use the rest for Linux.

My question: How do I get Windows to install right at the end?

[seethru]

uhm.......ok but how do you intend on using the isos to install them? If my memory serves me right last time I tried to read a linux cd (iso) in windows it didn't work out too well lol......so without a cd burner how do you intend to install linux?

[HPMCommander]

are you asking to install windows at the end of your hard drive so that you can just remove it after you're done installing redhat? if so, you don't necessarily have to put it at the end. you can use a program like partitionmanager to delete the windows partition and then resize the linux one to utilize the unused space.

[lostspyder]

a) i dont think partiton magic can resize linuxtype filestructures

b) windows has to 'have' the first partition on the disk because it needs to keep boot info there.

So the best thing would be to just have two partitions, and use one for you home directory, that way when and if you ever switch distros or reinstall you dont loose all your data. Make shure to copy all the home info onto the partition before you mount it because most distros keep all kindsa configs etc in there.

Or head over to newegg.com every night at about 8pm and check there referbished items for a cheap cd burner, ive seen em low as 20$ refurb.

[trenzterra]

  seethru said:

uhm.......ok but how do you intend on using the isos to install them? If my memory serves me right last time I tried to read a linux cd (iso) in windows it didn't work out too well lol......so without a cd burner how do you intend to install linux?

RH9 installer supports HDD install, you just need to tell them where the ISOs are located.

HPMCommander, it seems that Linux will only utilise space in front of it, eg Linux is on 15-18GB, and Windows on 0-15GB. When you free up WIndows partition and give linux 18-20GB, Linux will only utilise 15-20GB, it will NOT utilise space 'behind'.

[MrStaticVoid]

I don't want to speak for you, trenzterra, but if he doesn't have a CD burner, what makes you all think he paid for PartitionMagic? GNU Parted only allows resizing of a Linux-type partition if its start position remains fixed, so trenzterra is correct in wanting to install Linux at the beginning of the hard drive. However, I've never heard of an HDD install. I have heard of a network install, though. I am interested in it. Can you tell me more please?

[trenzterra]

  Mr. Static Void said:

I don't want to speak for you, trenzterra, but if he doesn't have a CD burner, what makes you all think he paid for PartitionMagic? GNU Parted only allows resizing of a Linux-type partition if its start position remains fixed, so trenzterra is correct in wanting to install Linux at the beginning of the hard drive. However, I've never heard of an HDD install. I have heard of a network install, though. I am interested in it. Can you tell me more please?

HDD Install works the same way as CD install, you download the ISOs and RH will read it from there...

I need help with network install too, can't figure out using PPPoE. If you can help me check my other thread.

I don't have Partition Magic too.

Or is this possible, I create a Linux partition, then create a Windows partition. Then I delete the Linux partition. This way, will Windows install at the end?

[John Veteran]

  lostspyder said:

b) windows has to 'have' the first partition on the disk because it needs to keep boot info there.

windows (at least NT) needs to have the boot files (NTLDR, boot.ini, ntdetect.com) on the first partition. windows can be installed on any partition you want. what i'm saying is, you can have a small partition (few MB) at the beginning of your drive, then linux partitions, then windows.

[trenzterra]

  gameguy said:

windows (at least NT) needs to have the boot files (NTLDR, boot.ini, ntdetect.com) on the first partition. windows can be installed on any partition you want. what i'm saying is, you can have a small partition (few MB) at the beginning of your drive, then linux partitions, then windows.

How do you move the boot files there?

[lostspyder]

" How do you move the boot files there?"

you dont. :) At least ive never been able to figgure it out.

[trenzterra]

ok then, can anyone figure out my thread on PPPoE anyway?

[trenzterra]

Hi, I was wondering whether this would work:

First, I found a utility that's very flexible in partitioning.

I put my ISOs on a seperate partition at the second last part of the HDD. Then I put Windows XP at the last part of the HDD. Eg:

Linux - 1-5GB

ISOs - 6-7.5GB

Windows XP-7.5GB-18.6GB

Is that possible? Then I would use LiLo to set up multiboot...

[Fortis]

everyone seems to have made it so copmlicated.

make a backup of whatever u DONT wanna loose.

install windows again.. - when it askes for partition and stuff

make 1 partition which is 15g, then make another which is 5 gig.. then go back and delete the 15 gig.. this will make ur partition for u, in ur desired location..

install or reinstall windows onto ur new partition..

then go back - and install linux.. as long u create the windows on a vfat (fat32) fs then u'll be be able to useitilse that space with no problem.

when u install linux -

it will create an automatic chainloader to boot windows with no problem.

this is the basic way if u dont have partition magic or anything

if u do

then like the rest said above

resize and move ur windows partition to the end of ur system..

then delete the rest.