[ILUG] Linux Installation on NT system

[John_White at dell.com]

I'd imagine 4 is denied because it's an NTFS partition
The only reason Linux installs well on a FAT / FAT derivative partition is 
UMSDOS (it mimicks a linux filesystem (ext?) with permissions etc on FAT).
I don't believe it works on NTFS.

Editing the partition table is also more than likely out because it's NTFS.
(I said more than likely ). NTFS places data on the disk unlike any other
filesystem I've ever heard of. It starts writing at the start of the disk,
then at some magic point (I don't know what this is) it moves to the middle
and continues writing there, then it goes to half way between (the
quarterway
mark) and then to the 3 quarterway mark. And so keeps going. Also, where
possible
it spreads the data around the disks so that if a head crash takes place as 
little data as possible is damaged. This results in a highly fragmented
filesystem (no matter what MS tell you).

I'd imagine this is why FIPS might find it difficult to re-partition it.
(I don't know if FIPS re-partitions NTFS or not). 

However all is not lost, grab an oul' evaluation copy of partition magic
(which wil lallow you re-partition NTFS) and belt away . . . . once you 
make your free space COREL should be well happy.

John.



-----Original Message-----
From: Cormac McClean [mailto:cmcclean at ait.ie]
Sent: 17 January 2000 16:43
To: ilug at linux.ie
Cc: laing at gofree.indigo.ie
Subject: [ILUG] Linux Installation on NT system


Hi,

I am working in Athlone IT (background in Mathematics and C Programming)
and have the
opportunity to teach a course on Linux. I'm in the process of installing
Linux on the 
PCs (approximately 20-25) and I've run into a problem.

The PCs have Windows NT (server and workstation) already installed, and
obviously it
is required that the existing setup be unaffected by the Linux
installation. No problem, I thought, I'll try it with new Corel Linux
which will take care of the partitioning process
and make it a straightforward setup (and even allow me to install Linux
in a windows directory, if I wanted to). I should say at this stage that
I am a reasonably experienced Linux user ("intermediate" level), and am
confident in installing Linux on Windows 95/98 systems - running dual
boot Win98/SuSe6.3 at home and Win98/RH6.1 at work. 

However, when I went to install Corel Linux, instead of providing 4
options
	1. Take over disk (erases existing info)
	2. Use free disk space (keeps existing info)
	3. Edit partition table
	4. Install on DOS/Windows partition
of which 2 and 4 would be preferable, it only gives me options 1 and 3.
Option 1 is not acceptable - I cannot remove the existing NT setup.
When I try option 3, it does not allow me to make changes to the
existing paritions
(the Edit option is unavailable).

Is this because a) of the fact that NT is already installed (NT
filesystem problem?)
	     or b) I'm using the download edition of Corel Linux (came with
PC
Plus)?

I am unfamiliar with the NT filesystem - will fips work with it?

Any suggestions / advice would be greatly appreciated.

I requested this course as an opportunity to help to promote Linux in
the college, and am
eager to ensure that this doesn't fall flat in its face at the first
stage (installation).

Many thanks,
Cormac McClean.

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