partitioning harddrive

[Dswissmiss]

I would like to apologize beforehand for being vague and unorganized with this question, because im not sure what the problem is.
Anyways, I'm trying to install linux mandrake 8.2 alongside win98se on my compaq presario (450mhz p2, 20 gig, 256 mb ram) but I'm having problems partitioning my harddrive. Running FDISK, when i select to Create a DOS Partition, it tells me that a primary and extended DOS partitions already exist (C drive and system save D drive) so I'm confused on how to do it with FDISK.
I then ran the mandrake cd, which includes a partitioning tool, and it couldn't partition it either.
Does Compaq not let you partition your harddrive? or is it something I'm doing wrong?

I'm not sure what other information could be useful, so please ask

thank you
Dswissmiss

PS. I selected not to enable large disk support on the FDISK initial screen.

[j0hn d0e]

Hola Dswissmiss

You probably already have a partition set up from the factory settings. C: would be where your OS and programs go etc... and D: is where Compaq stores information about restoring factory settings and a back-up image of your C: .

IMPORTANT:
If you change the way the drive is partitioned with FDISK, you will not be able to use your Restore-CD to restore the factory settings and pre-installed Windows. Compaq will not provide you technical support on any machine that has been reformatted in any way other than the Restore-CD. If you need to restore it after Deleting/Chaning the partitions, you will need to BUY a Quick Restore CD Set, from them.

If you have a full version of Windows, and want to partition your drive and install this then you can do the following:
***Doing the following will result in loss of your current data and programs. Be sure to back up your data.***
Insert a Boot-Disk/Start-Disk
Go to FDISK
Delete the logical drives
Delete the Extended DOS Partition
Delete the Primary DOS Partition
Reboot
FDISK again
Create Primary DOS Partition
Set that as active
Create Extended DOS Partition
Create Logical Drives in Extended Partition
Reboot
Format C:
Format D: (if more than one Logical Drive was created, Repeat for each)

At this point you can now install Windows to C: or proceed however you choose to.

jd

[homer15]

ok, well, first off:
it doesn't seem like you need fdisk for this at all. if your drive is partitioned into drive c and drive d (drive d is probably labeled system save, right?), then your computer is already partitioned.
are you doing a clean install of windows 98? do you have any information on drive d?
if you're not doing a clean install of 98, then don't touch drive c: with fdisk. all that will do is damage your windows setup.
you should be able to install linux onto drive d without a problem.
and also, if your drive is more than 2 GB, then you would want to enable large disk support.

[homer15]

wow, he got in there right as i pressed reply!

[Dswissmiss]

I do not have a full version of win98, i bought this comp 4 years ago with it on it. Drive D (system save) does have information on it: a few folders named Bootdisk, Cpqs, Data, Rescue and some other things... is it still safe to install linux on it?

also, this is the message i get when I try to install it on drive D from the mandrake cd :

warning:
DrakX will now resize your windows partition. Be careful: this operation is dangerous. If you have not already done so, you should first exit the installation, run scandisk under windows, then restart the installation.

should I go for it? Drive D has a capacity of 3.57 gigs, with 3.07 free, will this program make the drive bigger or should I do it using windows.

thanx for the fast replies!!
dswissmiss

[OOPS!]

Only if you want to over-write everything on D drive. Mandy will re-write the drive changing the file system from FAT32, to ext2 or ext3. A file system that is unreadable by Windows.

I would recommend in this situation that you go and pick up another harddrive and install Mandy on the second drive. That way you can't harm your Windows drive.

OOPS!

[homer15]

that's a good recommendation. but most of the stuff on the d: drive is not useful. it's there incase you have a system failure, but even then it doesn't help too much. everything needed to restore your system is on the master cd provided by compaq. the stuff on drive d: just aide's that. when my parents bought a compaq, they got rid of everything on that drive and utilized all the extra free space. you could probably do that too... but if you don't want to harm anything, get an extra drive and slave it to your cd drive (because chances are your current hard drive is in an akward position for slaving).