is there any other method to do dual-boot machine


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I used to first install windows, and use partition magic to create the separate

linux partition (including swap), then install linux.

I'm just wondering is there any other more appropriate alternatives to do that?

cheers.

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Yeah... You could SKIP the Partition Magic step. The Linux distro will do it all upon install.

Just make sure that you have free space for Linux or are able to use a secondary/extended partition for Linux. You can use the DOS fdisk to do that. No need to pirate (or illegally copy/obtain) Partition Magic. :shifty:

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Yeah... You could SKIP the Partition Magic step. The Linux distro will do it all upon install.

Just make sure that you have free space for Linux or are able to use a secondary/extended partition for Linux. You can use the DOS fdisk to do that. No need to pirate (or illegally copy/obtain) Partition Magic. :shifty:

right, so u mean a extended partition would be enough, and then during the linux installation, let that extended partition be formatted for linux installation?

Is there side-effect doing this? I mean lost data on my windows partition?

thx.

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No side-effects.

If you leave unused space, the installer will ask if you want to use it.

For example:

You have XP,and NTFS partitioned to 80% or so of your drive, and the rest is unassigned. Linux will recognize this and ask to use the unused space as one of the options.

If you have XP and an NTFS drive paritioned to 80% of your drive, and another NTFS partitioned for the rest, Linux will ask if it is OK to use one of your partitions (you will have to specify which, so be careful!). In this case, any data in that drive will be erased. I would recommend that you back that data up (you do this already, right?), and remove the partition yourself through fdisk, or other disk/parition manager. Less likely for you to make a mistake on the Linux side that way.

If you have XP, and NTFS takes up ALL of your drive... You will need one of two things...

1) Backup and reinstall XP, but have it only use part of your drive...

or

2) Use Parition Magic (it's the only reliable program I know of) to resize your NTFS partition.

The rules are a little more relaxed when it comes to FAT parititons, as Linux can write and resize these safely. (Mandrake will safely resize your FAT drives for you when you install, if you ask it to)

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SuSE 9.0 can now resize NTFS partitions during the installation.

I did not know this! :woot:

Resizing NTFS always makes me think twice... :wacko:

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