a question involving linux

**tsun** · January 11th, 2004, 02:27 AM

if i was to install linux on to a seconary HDD which had files already on would it wipe all the files on that HDD or will it save them

**nasrules** · January 11th, 2004, 02:44 AM

That depends. Linux cannot install on Windows file systems (FAT32 or NTFS) - the hard drive would have to be formatted with a Linux file system (probably EXT2 or EXT3).

The simple way to do it would be to create a secondary partition on the secondary HD which would be formatted with a Linux file system. 'Non-destructive' partitioning tools are readily available - ones which don't delete all the data from the drive when you split the current single partition in two (or three, four, twelve, etc).

**zaphodiv** · January 11th, 2004, 04:17 AM

You should _allways_ have a current backup of all your important files when installing a new operating system or when messing with partitions.

**tsun** · January 11th, 2004, 06:16 AM

can u recommend software i could use

**nasrules** · January 11th, 2004, 07:28 AM

Lots of people have had problems with PowerQuest's easy-to-use PartitionMagic, although it's worked perfectly for me every time.

**tsun** · January 11th, 2004, 07:48 AM

Originally Posted by nasrules

Lots of people have had problems with PowerQuest's easy-to-use PartitionMagic, although it's worked perfectly for me every time.

what OS did you install it on

**nasrules** · January 11th, 2004, 07:52 AM

Windows. When I installed Linux I had two NTFS partitions. I took some space from one of the NTFS and made it EXT2.

**cpugeniusmv** · January 11th, 2004, 10:09 AM

partition magic works most of the time for me, but there have been occasions when it didn't.

and in those times, i used Acronis Partition Expert! it's very similar, and it's never messed anything up...

another good feature: lets you create a boot CD rather than rescue floppies :mellow

**nny0000** · January 11th, 2004, 07:03 PM

Partition Magic has caused me some problems. It would be better for you to just resize the FAT32 or NTFS partition and leave the free space left over so the linux installer can format it, instead of partition magic formating it. Also Linux can be installed on FAT partitions, just not NTFS (yet...hehe).

A dedicated Slackware user