UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

I would like to install Redhat 7.2 on my Windows machine. I only have one hard drive and I dont want to lose Windows. Which method is best for partitioning the HD?

I tried it once with Partition Magic and I was installing Corel Linux First Edition and Corel wiped out my entire HD (not good when your project for school is on the machine and it's due the next day! )

Another time I used FIPS and it seemed to work, but I partitioned the hard drive too small for Redhat, but since it was an old (PI 133MHz) computer I just wiped the entire thing. XWindows did not work however, so I went back to Windows.

Anyhoo! I want to try again on a not so old computer (Celeron) but I dont want to lose the information on it like I did before.
Also if RedHat does not run on the computer, can I convert that HD space back so Windows can use it? (merge the 2 partitions back into 1)

thanks!
primal

Just use Partitionmagic or fdisk to partition your harddisk. I think u can use Partitionmagic to make the partition ready for another operating system.

Then boot Linux from CD. In the installer for Linux there is a fdisk. Use this to make a Linux nativ and swap partition from your free partition. Linux will not overwrite your windows partitions

Good luck.

I was told that Linux might finger or finger print my windows partition and could wipe it out....I am trying the same thing....but on windows 2000...I honestly tried partition magic I got from my friend but don't totally understand how much I should let for the linux partition or something....it says I have 1985.3 mb's I can use....but like I said I dont know what that means...I have a 10 gig Hd....and the linux native swap ....I do understand that I want to keep my windows as a primary and make the linux logical..right I think...