Mandrake Linux 9.1

[ZeroX5]

Well, I'm downloading Mandrake Linux 9.1 as we speak. I was wondering what everyone thought about it. And I'd also like to ask, if it is feasible to put it on my machine that runs WinXP Pro. I've seen screenshots, and it looks pretty cool. And as you can probably see, I'm new to linux. But anyway, comments are helpful. Thanks.

[LocoCoyote]

I haven't used mandrake yet. I have been playing with RedHat9 and SuSE 8.2. I am leaning toward the SuSE right now. You can and IMHO should install both Windows and Linux on the same machine. it is nice having the option on what you want to run.
I have heard good things about Mandrake, but I recommend that you try several differnt distros to find out what you like best.
Also, I recommend doing a partition of your hard drive prior to installing Linux. Most installers now give you options to do it during install, but I like to use Partition Magic to set up the hard drive first and to make sure that my Windows still works.
Oh, that is another thing...install windows first. During install windows will overwrite the MBR and kill GRUB or whatever a boot loader you are using.

Good Luck

[ZeroX5]

Does anyone by chance know of a good partitioning software that doesn't cost as much as Partition Magic? Cause I'd rather buy a new hard drive than buy that software, but I'd prefer to find a "non-expense" way of partitioning a linux partition. Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

[Dangermouse1]

I have installed mandrake 9 and Redhat 9 and did not partition before hand both distros will do that for you and although I have only done this twice it worked perfectly both times.

[mrstirs]

Hey,

I tried Red Hat, and didn't really like it. Have been using Mandrake 9.1 for a few weeks now.

I'm a n00b to the whole Linux thing but so far I'm getting on just fine with Mandrake just now :D

[Force Flow]

Let me just say it takes a little bit of getting used to. ;)

Especially if you haven't had a chance to use a Mac.

[lynchmob]

Mandrake 9.1 has a disk partitioning tool that will non-destructively resize fat or NTFS partitions to make room for Linux.I would resize but not create a partition for Mandrake:let the installer find the free unallocated space left from the resize operation and install there,preserveing XP.
lynch

[Force Flow]

I would try repartitioning with partiiton magic and leave free space where you want Mandrake to go.

My XP partiiton was destroyed by following the method lynchmob provided.

[LocoCoyote]

FIPS (provided on many install CDs') works well and it is free.
Look under DOS tools or something like that

[revelation]

I have used the partitioning tools in Mandrake with no problems. I have also used FIPS in the past. Before using either I would defrag the drive to make sure there is no data scattered on the partition that is being created. This would not be as big a problem with NTFS, but I would do it anyway to make sure that all of the "Windows" data is all to the "front' of the drive.