[ILUG] Making room for Linux

[cmcclean at ait.ie]

Hi,

I have been helping a number of students install Linux on their 
home PCs so they can practice with Linux outside of class time.
We're working with existing Windows 95/98 installations, so
we use fips to non-destructively create a Linux partition:
	From Windows
		1. Run scandisk on C: (say)
		2. Run defrag
	From DOS
		3. Run FIPS: Resize C: and create new partition
and then install Linux.

However, the machine I'm trying to install on now is causing
a problem, in that I cannot use FIPS to create a new partition.
Of a 3GB hard-drive, 1.3GB are free.  However, after defragging,
FIPS is only able to allocate 240MB for a new partition. It appears
that there is a system file towards the end of C: that defragging
will not move.

I thought that if I switched off the virtual memory and deleted
the swap file that I could then do a full defrag and create
enough space for a second Linux partition, but when I tried that
before it rendered Windows 98 unbootable. (Same situtation occurred
previously: 4GB disk, 2GB free, only 250MB available for FIPS).

Does anyone know of a solution?

Would parted fare any better, or is there any way to move the
Windows system files?

Regards,
Cormac.

P.S. I know this is a week late, but well done to the organisers
of Linux World. What I saw of it was very good. Unfortunately
that was limited to Saturday afternoon due to personal commitments.
Looking forward to the next one already.