First time Linux/openSUSE user, Windows XP, Dual Boot interest

[LittIeWolf]

Hello! Thank you in advance for your time, and hopefully guidance.

I have been toying with the idea of switching to Linux for some time, and did use Ubuntu back when it was very blocky and just off the oven. Sadly I could not bear to part with pleasing graphics and I decided to put it off for a while.

My knowledge of Linux is very limited, but I have done a lot of research which has brought me here finally in hopes you can help me clear some doubts.

I have read the Information for New Users sections in this forum, read up on different Linux distributions, the many distinct features, and the difference between KDE and Gnome. I have to say the Information for New Users started off very clear, but relied a lot on terminology I was unfamiliar with and had to constantly look up, and quickly delved into the deep part of the pool where I cannot swim yet.

Since I still need XP for my games and Photoshop, then the more sensible option would be to dual boot until a better solution is found. So I looked around and from what I read, openSUSE automatically creates its own partition (is that correct?) I looked for more information and found this on your forums:

Installation - OpenSUSE 11.0 / Win XP Dual Boot - openSUSE Forums

About how the user suggested doing it manually, which I read carefully and while I get the gist of it, it is quite confusing. I'd like to know what the validity of this process is, if any.

It might help to know my computer is apparently separated into two partitions, C: and D: with a bunch of empty removable ones. I include a screenshot for you to view this in all its glory.



Of course, space can be cleared quite easily and it will undergo defragmentation before anything takes place.

The only thing holding me back right now is a disabled DVD-R/CD-R drive. It stopped working, and I'm currently shopping for a new one. I know openSUSE can be installed from a USB stick, but all I own is an 8GB SDHC card with a USB adapter since my card slot only reads SD. Is there any way around this?

Thanks again for your time, I'm looking forwards to making the switch to Linux and learning a lot more about it in the process.

[gogalthorp]

Here is the problem the way that Windows reports partitions is very misleading. Get a bootable Linux CD (any flavor). Or a Parted Magic disk. Downloads

From a command line type as root if required

fdisk -l

This will tell use exactly what you have with no guess work.

In general you need to provide 20 or more gig of free space and the installer will do the rest. There are lots and lots of ways to customize things but if you are unsure just take the defulats or ask here. The installer will resize thing but I for one prefer the higher control a tool like Parted Magic gives.

As always backup any important data before playing with partitions!!!!

[caf4926]

Biggest problem I see is you have no free space to speak of.

[caf4926]

So my advice would be, buy yourself a 2nd internal HD, even if you can only afford a 80GB, it should be cheap enough, but it will be enough. You are shopping for a optical drive anyway, so make it a job lot.
And my advice would also be to wait until you have a new optical drive too. Please just don't rush in to this, then you will have a happy experience.

[LittIeWolf]

Thanks for replying! =D

What exactly does Parted Magic do? And do you mean to type fdisk -l as a cmd prompt?

About my available space:

The reason it is full is due to the fact I run games with daemon tools, so naturally they take quite a bit of space. But there is quite a few of them I haven't touched in a while and are being parted with as we speak. Or do you mean that 200Gb are not enough to support both operating systems to perform correctly? I was planning to clear up at least 100GB; as I am in the process of buying several things that need upgrading with this machine, I'd like to avoid buying more memory if I don't need it, but if you strongly recommend it, more memory is never a bad investment.

[caf4926]

Parted Magic is a Linux Live CD, but it has a number of tools, included Parted, which is a partitioning tool.
Here is a guide
Using Parted Magic an Introduction - openSUSE Forums

Yes: fdisk -l
from a terminal prompt

200GB is plenty. And if you can free up 100GB I would only use 50GB
Backup anything important
finally defrag.

Use parted to resize your C drive and create One extended partition in all that space. We can then create logical partitions inside that.
In my forum signature I have a link to My Guides, check it out.

I would go for

swap 2GB
/ (root) 15GB
/home all the rest

But free up your space and defrag, then get us fdisk -l
before you proceed.

I didn't say anything about memory.
I suggested a 2nd Hard Drive

[LittIeWolf]

Sorry! I meant hard drive, not memory.

So the only option is to boot from CD when I get my new optical drive? I will read the guides for now and then get back to you.

[caf4926]

You can install from a UBD flash drive
Live USB stick - openSUSE

[Knurpht]

If you run games, you may do so on linux too. I've found on my son's PC, that 15GB is a bit low with a couple of big games installed (openarena, vdrift, nexuiz, Flight Gear, Penumbra). My son's root partition is 32 GB, which allows him to have quite a lot of games installed.

[LittIeWolf]

I have obtained a new optical drive, space has been made, defragmentation will start tonight, and .iso is being mounted.

What would be a fair partition share for openSUSE to function as intended? If I change my mind, can this partition segmentation be reversed or modified?