EDIT: Scroll down for new problem.

Hey I'm on Knoppix right now and everything is fine so I wanna install Mandrake and also keep Windows XP on the same PC. That means I need to make a Linux partition right? Because I'm just starting to use Linux I don't wanna give it a large piece of all my space that's why I need to do a custom partition. There is an option to do that on the Mandrake CD but I've never seen screenshots so I'm not sure if I will know how it works. That's why I wanna use Partition Magic. I've heard it's easy to use but ofcourse... it costs money and I don't wanna buy it. So I was wondering if the trial is fully working and just has a time limit. Anybody can tell me? Thanks!

don't mess with windows partitioning tools. use the partitioning tool included with linux. why? no matter if you are a n00b or a exp3rt with linux, you should use the included tools with linux. partition magic doesn't know to create all three of the partitions needed by linux... in some cases, five partitions, depending on your distro.

just remember to defrag winxp before you run the install/partition on your hdd.


hope that i helped!!!!!!

NO, the partition magic Demo will not make partitions that are usable........

Well I am proud to say... the installation was NOT a success!! Yay!! Knew it was gonna happen. It was just too good to be true.... OK here goes (don't forget we're talking about Mandrake 10):

1. I probably didn't give Linux enough space. Only about 1 GB in total... that's probably the reason why I got the problems.

2. I couldn't test my graphical interface (or whatever) coz "nfs" wasn't running.

3. Linux didn't ask for another CD.

4. When everything was done and I restarted there were 4 (windows, linux and 2 others...) options in the boot menu, is that suppose to be like that?

5. After that I got some green OKs and one red FAILED. I didn't see what was failed but if u want to know I'll look for it again.

6. Even though I got a FAILED I was allowed to pass. Then I had to type the login for Vigor12 or whatever and I didn't know it. After that I did something that made it restart. End of story.

O and I didn't lose any files in Windows....

So.... can anyone help me to get this right again? Please!!!!

1) Mandrake minimal install will run on 65 mb of space
2) *shrug*
3) You prolly just didnt need packages off that cd. The first cd is all you REALLY need, the rest is extra packages
4) yes: Windows, Linux, FLoppy, Failsafe
- Windows = windows
- linux = linux
- floppy = boot from floppy
- failsafe - single-user mode
5) the red failed was probably eth0, this is normal and OK
6) need more info

Hope this at least answered a few questions

What do u mean with *shrug*? Well than the only problem is the Vigor12 thing..... So u need more info? Well I have no idea how to give it to you..... Should I reinstall? It's the only thing keeping me from starting up Linux.

I got more info on the Vigor12 thing. It turned into Vigor11. I was thinking it's my router coz that's a Draytec Vigor2200e (or somethin like that). So when I needed to type the login I typed the login to my router and then I needed to type the pass but the letters and numbers didn't work anymore. So I can't even type a pass......

Sorry that I didn't edit my last post. I did this to get my post up in the forum so someone replys. I'm not really in a hurry (since windows works and all) but it would be cool if I can get to Linux today. And for me it's 15 minutes till it's tomorrow.

*shrug* means i dont know
is Vigor12 your login? do you get a prompt like this:
or do u get a graphical login screen? Can you successfully log in? If so, what do you do when you start having the Vigor* trouble?

EDIT: If Vigor12 IS your username, then it should be something like this:

lkejwkljglkjdslkfjdkljflkjflkd

Then yes, the Vigor thing would be your router.
If the keyboard doesnt work, how are you accessing it? thru a browser? an addon program? telnet? GUI or console based? This is what I meant by more information is needed...

What brand of ethernet card do you have? Is it by chance Vigor...?

<edit>
a quick search on google revealed this:
this was pulled from http://www.fedoraforum.org/forum/arc...p/t-18994.html

maybe this will provide some guidance?

You still don't understand?

My keyboard fully works.

1. I restart my pc.
2. I get a boot screen thingy.
3. I choose Linux.
4. Get the green OKs and one red FAILED.
5. Have to login.
6. I type "admin" my router login and then enter.
7. Now I need to type a pass.
8. The number and letter keys (and some others) don't work so I can't.
9. I do Ctrl + Alt + Del to restart.
10. I'm here givin you info

oohhh...
this is the login for you linux system...
type 'valentino' for the username
press enter for the password
the reason no text is displayed is because the password doesnt echo

klaewlkrjlkadsjflkajdlkfjsaf

yes... this is linux
Vigor11 is the name of your computer... I see where that came form now lol
yes, this si your comand prompt
try this:
this will get you into the GUI (X-Windows)

Does that have anything to do with me choosing not to automatically start X? Probably did huh... Well I'm gonna try it out right now and if everything works OK I'll edit this post and say it works in X-Windows.

Awww.. not again... Too bad that im editing this message from Windows XP.... OK here's some of the last stuff. There was a whole screen with words and I didn't wanna write it all down.

If I try startx again I get the same stuff. It also said about lookin on http://www.xfree86.org/. Couldn't find anything there.... I don't see any other option than reinstalling it. What about u?