partitioning for linux

[prelip]

I have just built a new system and haven't partitioned my drive yet. Can anyone recommend how to allocate the partitions. I would like to dual boot with windows xp/linux. I read that I would need one partition for xp(ntfs), one for linux (?), one for swap?? (not sure what that is) and one for shared data (fat32). Is this correct? How big should I make each one?
Thanks for any input!

I have 160 GB sata drive.

[bailey]

linux will self install on any free space and do all the partitions for you,
you might want to devide that drive in half at least, and maybe dual boot with something

[Karnevil9]

Any Linux Flavor you choose will set up it's own Linux file area and swap file by asking you if you want it to be "X" size or not. The Swap file needs a very small amount of space, and is equal to about twice the amount of memory you use, if my memory serves me. User friendly systems like SUSe and Mandrake etc, will basically walk you through it.

I don't know anything about having a shared file for Fat32 since Linux and windows won't share files anyway. But maybe a more experienced Linux can shed some light on that.

If you Dual Boot with Windows and Linux on the same drive, make sure you install windows first, as the Linux boot programs overide windows MBR. I personaly think the easiest way to set them both up is by using a partitioning program such as Partition Magic. It makes the process of setting up the hard drive for more than one partition very easy.

[prelip]

Can you suggest a partition size for xp + programs.

[Karnevil9]

Really depends on what you want to do and how you are going to use it. Everyone is different. Some people have XP so they have there working are, and another partition for files and yet another to store operating systems. Myself, I have a 120 gig hard drive and I have just 80 gigs for all XP and another 40 for a back up program.

You should have at least 10 gigs, (could be less) for the Linux system and probably more for the XP. Just remember that the OS that will get the most use will probably need the most space for files and programs that you add. If you do a lot of specialty work, like video files or music files, you might want a large extra partition just for that. Then you may want a back up partition to save files in case your primary location crashes.

Both XP and Linux only need about 6 gigs recommended minimums for installation.

[colecifer]

Originally Posted by Karnevil9 I don't know anything about having a shared file for Fat32 since Linux and windows won't share files anyway. But maybe a more experienced Linux can shed some light on that.

I'm not sure because i haven't used linux yet but i'm pretty sure i remember reading online that linux can understand FAT32, and that way you could share files like mp3's or something that isn't platform dependent. Java programs would work too. I'm not sure if this is right though, i can't remember.