going to insatll linux, formating questions

[maurik]

I've decided to install linux - fedora 3 core or ubuntu, probably fedora , I wanna run an XP / Linux dual boot.

At the mo im having some queries. I have a 80gb harddrive. I have partioned it c:\ = 30 gb & d:\ = 50 gb I have XP Pro installed on the d:\ drive. At first i thought there'd be little problems.

However just recently while testing a file explorer program i made in vb6 i notced that the c:\ drive contains certain "valuable" files which are not visible in windows explorer unless i have "do not show system files" off...

I'm worried that if i install linux on my c:\ drive it will be formatted and XP will not be able to start up as it needs those files...

here's which files they are:



basically i found out that XP boots off the C:\ drive but runs of the D:\ drive, I need to format the c:\ drive to fat32 or one of the linux formats, if i do that, will i retain those files, and the mbr?

[bazooka]

You need to use PartitionMagic.

It works very well and you retain your data.

[Garibaldi]

You need to use PartitionMagic.

It works very well and you retain your data.

Partition Magic is very good. A good freeware program is QTParted, which can be found on the Knoppix live-cd:
www.knoppix.net
I'm currently running a version of slackware, with ext2 filesystem. I would recommend ext3 when you format because it is a journeling filesystem, and therefore recovers much better from errors during an improper shutdown. You will also probably want to create a swap partition, 521 MB or less. BTW, why are you choosing Fedora Core as your linux distro? I choose Slackware because of the stability and support base. Plus if you learn how to do something in Slackware, you can do it in any other distro no problem.

Keep me updated on your progress. Welcome to linux!

[bazooka]

Linux is a good os, but be prepared to rip your hair out when you can't get certain things to work.

[Garibaldi]

Linux is a good os, but be prepared to rip your hair out when you can't get certain things to work.

Yep. But you can limit your folical stress by posting your problems here (you can pm me too and I'll give it my best shot) or at a good linux forum like www.linuxquestions.org