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Thread ID: 43644	2004-03-22 05:06:00	Partitioning	alec-k (5428)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
224335	2004-03-22 05:06:00	I have a SOHO peer to peer network comprised of a Pentium II 350 Mhz running Win 98, and a Duron 750 Mhz running Win 98SE , these are connected via a crossover cable, and share the primary printer via a printer switch. Other peripherals are connected via USB to one or other machine. All business files are kept on the Duron (it has a 20GB HDD versus the Pentium's 6 GB), this is the "main" machine. The Pentium is set up to provide secondary access to files, so we can work simultaneously when required. Games are mainly confined to the Pentium, which is getting too old even though we don't go much for 3D shootemups but more RTS. This machine also provides redundancy so that if the Duron dies, we can continue working with minimal disruption. We now want to expand the network to three machines, with the Pentium being relegated to being a homework box for the kids, with access to the network's scanner, printers, etc. The new box is an Athlon 2400 and came pre-loaded with XP Professional on a single 80 GB HDD formatted as NTFS. We have an ethernet switch, and cabling I can handle, but business use requires that we stick with W98, as most of our software won't run on XP, so before we can use the new box on the network it must be reformatted as FAT32, and have W98 loaded. Eventually we will have to replace our office suite but we are not ready for those hassles yet, and of course choice of a future OS may dictate this. Meantime to get running while keeping our options open, I want to partition the 80 GB HDD as 3 primary partitions (one with W98), and an extended partition with 2 (or more) logical drives for data etc. Hoping that this will allow trials of other OSs (eg XP, Linux) without compromising the day to day running of the business. Being only moderately techno-savvy, the task is a bit daunting. QUESTIONS 1 Can this be done using the DISKPART command of the existing XPprof installation, or should I use FDISK from an older system's rescue disk? Or do I need Partition Magic or similar to do it? (Your Nov. acticle doesn't say where to get it) 2 If using Diskpart, will it do the required reformatting to FAT32, or do I have to reformat first? Using which command(s)? 3 From reading the XP help files I understand that each OS must be put on a separate Volume, but must they also be on Primary partitions, or can a secondary OS be run from a logical drive? (in which case I may split the Ext. Partitition into more than 2 logical drives, and try other OSs). 4 I have trawled through & noted all the driver files currently in use. There is no personal or business data on the machine, so no need for a back-up. I have the original OEM XP CD and a bootable floppy created by this machine. Are there any other precautions I should take before reformatting? 5 Once the partitioning is done, I presume I will be able to reformat any of the volumes separately, eg to re-load XP prof as NTFS? Or to trial Linux? 6 How do I set up the main printer as a network printer (to enable printing from the 3rd (another room) machine without having to have either of the office machines booted? (Printer is an OKI 6ex LED "laser" ). Can this be done easily or will it require special printer software?	alec-k (5428)
224336	2004-03-22 06:17:00	I haven't got time to reply to all this at the moment but I would: 1. Leave XP Pro installed and use Partition Magic or similar to repartition for future use. Make another primary partition for Win98. Linux does not need a primary partition. 2. Install Win98 - this will blow away the mbr so you will need to use the XP recovery console to get the NT loader working again. You may have to edit the boot.ini file to add Win98 in.	JohnD (509)
224337	2004-03-22 11:07:00	>1 Can this be done using the DISKPART command of the existing XPprof installation, or should I use FDISK from an older system's rescue disk? Or do I need Partition Magic or similar to do it? (Your Nov. acticle doesn't say where to get it) There is a GUI partitioning tool (right click on My Computer->Manage->Disk Management I think - I run Linux at home :>) ). But this tool is destructive as is the command line tool is. To do this job and leave XP installed you need Partition Magic or Paragon Partition Manager. There is a Linux tool called QTParted available by booting to the CD based Linux distribution called Knoppix but I'm not sure if it will resize NTFS at this stage - I hope to test in the next week or so) >2 If using Diskpart, will it do the required reformatting to FAT32, or do I have to reformat first? Using which command(s)? Best to resize with one of the above tools. If you do start from scratch, Disk Manager will format in FAT32. >3 From reading the XP help files I understand that each OS must be put on a separate Volume, but must they also be on Primary partitions, or can a secondary OS be run from a logical drive? (in which case I may split the Ext. Partitition into more than 2 logical drives, and try other OSs ). General rule - MS operating systems require primary partitions. Linux doesn't mind. >4 I have trawled through & noted all the driver files currently in use. There is no personal or business data on the machine, so no need for a back-up. I have the original OEM XP CD and a bootable floppy created by this machine. Are there any other precautions I should take before reformatting? XP and Windows 2000 take 4 floppies to boot - usually don't bother - just use the CD and recovery console if there are problems. >5 Once the partitioning is done, I presume I will be able to reformat any of the volumes separately, eg to re-load XP prof as NTFS? Or to trial Linux? Yep. But volumes and partitions are not exactly the same thing. >6 How do I set up the main printer as a network printer (to enable printing from the 3rd (another room) machine without having to have either of the office machines booted? (Printer is an OKI 6ex LED "laser" ). Can this be done easily or will it require special printer software? You need a print server if the printer is not currently network aware - see www.dse.co.nz Hope this helps John	JohnD (509)
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