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Thread ID: 20365	2002-06-04 00:17:00	Partition woes	Guest (0)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
52304	2002-06-04 00:17:00	I want to completely wipe my 40GB HD, and install WinXP Pro and WinME, with a little unused space left over for Linux. All of my important data has been backed-up onto CD and verified as working. Anything left on the drive can be wiped, and I have a bootable floppy ready to go with FDisk. (I just can't wait to wipe that drive... don't know why) Here's where the fun begins: * WinXP will be the default OS. Should it have it's own partition complete with Program Files? Same with WinME? * I want to use NTFS this time around, to get used to it's extended features. Where could it be used for maximum effect? I'd like to use it on most partitions, but with WinME only supporting FAT32... *Should I have a partition devoted entirely to games and mp3s to be used by both XP and ME? Or have apps grouped with the relevant OS' partition? * I checked WinXP's help, and it stated that if I'm using FAT32 and NTFS, that the primary (or boot) partion will need to be FAT32. Eh? Is this so WinME will be compatible? Or is it a load of bull? Any help with even one of these questions is greatly appreciated.	Guest (0)
52305	2002-06-04 02:53:00	Jeremy, My first question is: Why do you want 3 OS's on one machine? Doable, but in my opinion, you are asking for trouble. Now, assuming you still want to go ahead, here are some details you need to know. 1) The primary boot partition MUST have WinME on it. Otherwise it won't work. 2)Thus, the primary partition MUST be Fat32. 3) Each OS MUST have it's own partition - it is impossible to have two OS's on one partition. 4) If you want to access files on a partition from winME that partition MUST be fat32. 5) The OS's must be installed in the following order... i) WinME ii) XP iii) Linux This is because of the following reasons... i) If you install XP first, when you install ME, it will overwrite XP's boot file, and you will have problems. ii) Linux is best installed knowing what else is on the PC - it will configure a bootloader to organise this. There is another way where I think (in theory) you can use XP's bootloader to load linux - the p[roblem is, it has not been designed this way - old Bill does not want you using Linux. 6) you will end up with problems if you try to install apps on a separate partition and use them for two OS's. You will end up with major issues in you registry, and I don't see why you need to access the same app from two OS's anyway. Surely you are only installing ME for compatibility issues? If not, why on earth do you want ME? Some people have succeeded in installing apps on a separate partition, but that is with one OS, and I still disagree - it is asking for trouble. So, Partition your drive like this: (Sizes are approximate, and should be tailored to your uses) I would not use NTFS except maybe for the XP partition. Why? Because otherwise, ME will not be able to recognise it. So, 2GB Fat32 for ME including apps. 5GB NTFS or Fat 32 for XP including apps. approx 30 GB to be divided between any of the following: data, muysic, linux data. You can have one big partition (make it fat 32), or two or three small ones. Assuming you want three. data (eg documents, pictures, misc, downloaded app installer files etc) 2GB fat32. music 25GB fat 32. include the linux data partition in the linux OS partition, and let linux sort out the partitioning. so, that will give you 1 partition (if using PM partition as ext2, otherwise, let Linux format it) 6 GB. So, you have: c:\ 2GB fat 32 d:\ 5GB fat 32 or NTFS e:\ 2 GB fat 32 f:\ 25 GB fat 32 Linux 6 GB. Now, install ME on C:\ then install XP on D:\ then install Linux on the remaining partition with 1GB for the OS (root) and 256mb for swap, and the rest for home/linux data. (let Linux partition itself during the install process). Phew! Any other queries, ask me in ten minutes after I get rid of this typists cramp (OOS), lol! G P	Guest (0)
52306	2002-06-04 04:20:00	Addendum to GP's answer: don't try to make a 'Linux' partition with MS FDISK. You can't. Just leave the space unallocated. Linux will do what is necessary.	Guest (0)
52307	2002-06-04 04:53:00	Now that I've had time to think further on the issue, Linux can wait for another day. If I *really* want to fool around with it, there's always my 'old' P2-350. Just to recap over what you suggested Graham, and implementing my ideas: 1) Create 3 partitions C: 3GB FAT32 for WinME D: 6GB NTFS for WinXP Pro E: 31GB FAT32 for Mp3s, games, et al. F: Err, that'd be the CDRW, not a HD. Aaanyway... 2) Install the cursed WinME on C: 3) Install the comparatively nice WinXP on D: 4) Refill E: with the 7 CD's of documents and music and drivers and stuff (but with plenty of space to spare) 5) Configure/Personalize Windows 'till the cows come home 6) 6 months later, repeat from beginning (as per geek imperative) It's a shame that XPs Program Compatibility Wizard isn't at all compatible with a few older Windows programs I still use (and in most cases, play) otherwise I wouldn't have to worry about WinME or FAT32. Maybe when the inevitable WinXP: Second Edition rears it's predictably jazzed-up head, it'll be improved. Will WinXP's NTFS speed things up when accessing the E drive? Or just make WinXP more efficient when booting... ? Anyway, thank-you for your extremely helpful advice Graham! I'll apply it when I get home from tech.	Guest (0)
52308	2002-06-04 11:53:00	I run Win95, Win2000 and RH7.3. The advise you have got is pretty good although I would like to add that I have a programs partitions which both Win OS use having installed through both to satisfy the registry and all seems to be working well. Saves a few gig of disk space.	Guest (0)
52309	2002-06-21 00:04:00	I advise you install 98 sec edition and stay away from ME its buggy and not very stable	kiwibeat (304)
52310	2002-06-21 00:39:00	<waits to see if Merlin finds this thread> :D	Callum Hey (283)
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