RH9 partition problem

[RichL025]

New user to linux, been around computers awhile but never learned much about partitions...

I'm trying to set up a dual-boot system with RH9 and Win XP (eventual goal of a MS-free system, but have to ease into it).

I have Red Hat Linux 9 for dummies, and using the install disks that came with the book. I can only assume I am stupider than the dummies the book was written for....

I set up a linux ext3 "logical" 9 gig partition using Partition Magic. I also set up a 4 gig NTFS partition. The remainder of the drive is a FAT32 windows partition that, for some reason, the FIPS program bundled with RH could not modify (that's why I bought Partition Magic).

During the install process for RH9, I get an error message when doing the automatic repartition - paraphrased: could not allocate requested partition. Partitioning failed: could not allocate partitions as primary partitions.

After hitting OK, a second error message: You have not defined a root partition (/) which is required for installation.

Any ideas? I followed along pretty much exactly what the book suggested (I went back and added the NTFS partition as a Hail Mary play, I got the exact same message with just the Linux ext3 and FAT32 win partitions).

Am I correct in understanding that (for a dual-boot install) I need to use partition magic FIRST, to create a non-windows partition, and then the RH9 installation program creates _further_ partitions (sub-partitions?) for it's architectural purpose???

Anyone have any ideas? I'd love to do a complete HD reformat and go cold-turkey to a linux machine, but I have too many required peripherals (PDA, etc) to risk having driver problems that can't be resolved quickly.

And I need to start quitting windows... to many damn security and reliability issues!


Thanks!

[Icarus]

Sounds like your doing things the good way...keep Windows until you figure out how to get things working in Linux :)

First problem I see is the use of Partition Magic...good for resizing NTFS partitions, BAD for making Linux partitions.
When making your partitions allocate what you wish to use for Windows and the parts you want for linux...leave un-allocated, Partition Magic just does not understand how Linux partitions work...after all, it's Windows software ;)

You already have Windows installed correct? If it's on a NTFS partition do not expect to do any read/writing to it right away (you need to re-compile the kernel to do that, save this for later and make a FAT32 partition if you want to share date between Linux and Windows ;) )
Also, having Windows installed before you load Windows makes dual-booting much easier to setup, Red Hat and others will do it during install if it finds a Windows partition

could not allocate requested partition. Partitioning failed: could not allocate partitions as primary partitions.
This is from using Partition Magic, during the install let Red Hat partition and format the non-allocated space, the defaults are good for starters.

Am I correct in understanding that (for a dual-boot install) I need to use partition magic FIRST, to create a non-windows partition, and then the RH9 installation program creates _further_ partitions (sub-partitions?) for it's architectural purpose???
Sort of...as I said, don't use Partition Magic, leave the space un-allocated (free)
Red Hat install will then read the free space and make / /boot and swap from this and allocate the space as it sees fit (usually 100mb /boot, 2x memory for swap and the rest for / )

Welcome to the world of Linux, that Dummies book should be a good start for you. I never look at any of those Dummies books bad, for people that have never touched the content, they usually are very helpful (although they do miss many key details as you have found ;) )
Stick around seach these forums for your questions and www.google.com/linux is very helpful with Linux questions.
Good luck and have fun!
We are here to help :D

[RichL025]

Thanks for the help, Mahdi, deleting the old partitions and just leaving some "unallocated" space did the trick!

I have alot to learn about space allocation, etc... hopefully the defaults will work for now.

I now have linux installed in a dual-boot, so hopefully I can find time to play with it over the next few weeks/months and learn how she runs - I'm looking forward to the day when I can say "Microsoft-free" in my sig file :) .


Thanks again.

[Icarus]

Originally posted by RichL025
I'm looking forward to the day when I can say "Microsoft-free" in my sig file :) So am I :(

[sclebo05]

just a side note/contradiction - i use Partition Magic 8 to make linux paritions, and have never had a problem with them. i use ext3, and have installed everything from debian to slack to redhead and have had not a single issue with it.

[coffeelover]

Originally posted by RichL025
Thanks I'm looking forward to the day when I can say "Microsoft-free" in my sig file :) .


Thanks again.

And I and every one that I work with is looking forward to the day when Linux completely takes over the desk top :D