I can't use Guided as it is for the entire disk. I don't want to delete the 2 Window XP's ntfs and sda1-

If thats what you want, go ahead.

With RAM being so cheap IMO is better to get a bit more RAM if you start using swap, and/or use a lighter distros and programs.

I'd rather have / on the fastest part of the disc, even if for some reason swap will get real use and the system cannot be upgraded to tke more RAM.

I havent seen that problem this century.

No, you dont need 'swap' either. Just root. Its well worth it to have a /home partition IMO, and swap just in case...though in these days of 4GB+ machines swap is used less and less.

I most times play it safe as well agree with you on the more RAM option.
Just two ways do to things.

I read the partitioning scheme twice and did exactly as it advises in the documentation.
There is something going on with the partitioning manager when I attempt to create a new partition for the swap.
Can't seem to get past the last step (making the swap) the next step is the install.
Also; I noticed that each time I use the cd/dvd something different happens in the partitioning section.
For example:
The first attempt I created the swap first and than didn't know how to create the /
The second attempt I created a new partition for the / that worked but when I tried to make another new partition for the swap it turned the 1GB that I assigned for the swap into 999.9 GB.

I understand how to delete and create new partitions just don't get why this part of the install doesn't comply like it should.

I wrote to the folks at Ubuntu to see if they know what's up. ubuntuforums.org/shothread.php?t=2035594 I even followed this members instruction and that's when it went wrong on step #3

This is most unusual. I've read the documentation now 3 times and took notes. Anyone?

Is it possible that the Windows XP partitions have a file attached so that the Debian install can't function properly?

This question might seem absurd but I'm really perplexed at what is going on and why this install is so difficult-

I always use XFCE/LXDE-CD1 nowadays, (dd'ed to a pendrive, installs much quicker than optical disc), as I know what I want.

Even if I only want to install a commandline setup, or a basic X setup, I will do it from the pendrive.

If I require any other programs, I use apt-get install over the internet.

As for partitioning;
/ = between 3~10gb, (dependent on the intended use of the install).
swap = if needed.
/home = the rest of the disk, (but will split into 2~300gb partitions if it is a big disk).

Unlikely.

When you go to the installation menu, what do you select?

Be advised the BIOS only allows 4 primary partitions. M$-vendors make full use of those, as they (wilfully) assume anyone buying an M$ product shall never want (read as: should not be allowed ) to install a better OS on the machine anyway... You should remove at least one partition from that scheme, to allow Linux to install. If you have an XP install disk, reinstall on a single partition. If you're forced to do with a rescue partition, create a rescue CD/DVD from it, then remove the rescue-partition completely. (verify it works first though!) Steps to do the latter can be found on the internet and should be discussed elsewhere on LQ (it has nothing to do with Debian, thank-you-very-much...!!).

After you freed the harddrive from all unwanted M$ ballast, and confined its remains to a minimum of partitions and disk space, you can install Debian freely

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I would get a Live CD/DVD and use gparted from there to partition your drive before starting the install process. You need to write down the partition numbers of the partition you create and what you want to put on them (sda5 = /, sda6 = /home, etc)so that when you get to the partitioning part of installation you know which mount point to assign to each.

Take your time and make sure you have it correct. You need create an extended partition first using all your free space. Logical partitions will go inside this.

An extended partition is a type of primary partition that you can create "logical" partitions within. You are, as Dutch Master points out, limited to 4 primary partitions.

With an extended partition that restriction is bypassed by using the logical partition option and creating your needed partition that way.

Gparted will be the easiest way for you to do this.

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The first attempt I choose: Text Install
The second attempt I choose: Graphical Install

Advise taken. BTW until today I was not aware that I am limited to 4 primary partitions.
I understand that I need to create an extended partition using my free space. I wrote down all of your instructions.
Thank You Widget

That is probably the trouble you have had installing. You were asking the installer partitioner to do something it could not do.

The installer partitioner will make an extended partition. And the logical partitions within it. You do have to specify this though. That is really hard to do if you are not aware of it.

You can take my word for it that you are not the only person to not know about this.

Gparted has a very nice gui. Pretty much explains itself. You can install it on your OS but you can't use it on the same drive you are installed on. Very risky. Always work from an different drive or a live session.

I have several drives so I can do it from some uneffected drive. The entire drive needs to be unmounted to partition things safely.

It is handy to have installed anyway. Just to look at what is on your drive and if you can juggle things around for one more install. Also nice for taking screen shots of your partition table if you have a question.

If that had been done with your problem folks would have seen it right off the bat. That can also be done from a Live Session though too.

Widget:

I fully understand now that creating a extended partition from the free space is essential and that I need to specify this.
And, (thank you) it was hard to do as I did not know then what you have taught me now.

I understand that the drive needs to be unmounted to partition safely.

My current overview is:

Primary 3.8 GB fat32
Primary 146.5 GB ntfs
Logical 97.5 GB ext4
Logical 4.2 GB F swap
Logical 248.1 GB Free Space

I understand that I have some adjusting/resizing to do.
At this point I am quick to hear and slow to speak. I'm grateful for the help, advise and information you have given me.
Thank you again.

Sincerely,
Coracat

Are you trying to add the free space to the existing 97.5 GB ext4 or create a new partition?

I'm trying to create a new partition. Pretty sure that the 97.5 GB ext is Ubuntu-