Partitioning

[Nomad]

I've got a question for you gurus out there. I'm looking into installing Ubuntu on this machine as a second OS, which means I'm going to need to partition.

So I want to put 20gb aside for it. My question is, if it's possible to throw a partition in a drive with existing data, and if it would in any way damage it? I've never messed with partitioning in this manner; I've always done it during a complete reformat of my hard drive, so I wanted to ask before I went and destroyed everything.

Thanks in advance.

[Aliotroph?]

You can usually use something like Norton Partition Magic to do it. I've seen at least one computer where that thing just refused to work though.

[Planky]

As long as you're careful with the Ubuntu installer, you can resize the ntfs partition. I have never lost any data doing this. I did have to manually add a windows entry into the boot manager so I could dual boot (simply editing a config file).

I recommend using gparted (http://gparted.sourceforge.net/) to create the partitions. Simply resize the existing partition and then create two seperate partitions (using whatever linux file system you want). Mount one as linux-swap (give it about 500meg) and one as '/' (using whatever space you have free).

Start the Ubuntu setup and point it to the new partitions - do not let it format the whole drive! :)

[Doom-Dork]

Like Aliotroph said, Partition Magic will let you re-partition your HDD while it contains data. You create a hidden partition to load your second OS on. Then from within Windows you can boot into that partition, though I prefer to set it up so that PM asks me as I switch on the computer, which partition I wish to boot into to,

[Nomad]

Ok, thanks guys. I'm going to back up my stuff just in case, and then try it out and let you all know what goes down.

I recommend using gparted (http://gparted.sourceforge.net/) to create the partitions. Simply resize the existing partition and then create two seperate partitions (using whatever linux file system you want). Mount one as linux-swap (give it about 500meg) and one as '/' (using whatever space you have free).

Ubuntu comes with gparted, so I'll probably use it (via LiveCD). Thanks for the advice, though I have one other question--does linux (particularly Ubuntu) require the swap drive?

[Nomad]

HAY GUISE. I'm posting from my fresh install of Ubuntu. Coolness. Will take some figuring out. Thanks for the advice and everything.

[Planky]

I believe it does. I've been using ubuntu for about a month. Im happy with it.

[Aliotroph?]

I've fiddled with Ubuntu. Seemed ok.

[Nomad]

I like it, although it doesn't seem to like my sound card. Oh well. Seems like with a little more work, it could be a very, very good competitor for Windows. Once installing shit is a little more user friendly it should be pretty much gold.

[Aliotroph?]

The whole way Linux apps are designed makes installing them a pain in the ass and it doesn't look like it's going to change any time soon.