11.3 Install Question

Howdy, - I’ve been using Fedora for a couple years now and also have Ubuntu 10.10 on a partition. I just downloaded SUSE 11.3, the NET install file, burned the iso to a CD and started it up. When the installer asked me about where to put it, I selected custom install. Problem is, the scan shows the Fedora partition, but not the Ubuntu partition. Both are ext4 file systems. Why would this be so ? I’m afraid to continue because I don’t want anything to be overwritten. I have Boot It Next Generation on partition 0, Fedora 13 on 1, and Ubuntu on 2. The remaining standard partition is where I’d like to place OpenSUSE. I don’t have a SWAP for anything. I found out with all the memory on this machine, SWAP space never gets used. -

Thanks !

RDL

Boot up Ubuntu and post result of:

sudo fdisk -l

If you post a screen shot of things in GParted too, even better

If you mean “create partition setup” (last option), good choice.
If you mean “edit partition setup”, bad choice.

Rerun setup and select “Create partition setup”. If it doesn’t show your Ubuntu partition, this is absolutely NOT normal.

You’re right.

Use PartedMagic to create the partition(s) you would like to use for openSUSE. Then run openSUSE setup, select “Create partition setup”, choose mountpoint and check “format” for those partitions.

That’s not a reason not to have one. I would recommend creating a 2GB swap partition and using it for all your Linux distros.

Yo, Here’s the result from fdisk -l …

robert@E7300:~$ sudo fdisk -l
[sudo] password for robert:

Disk /dev/sda: 122.9 GB, 122942324736 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 14946 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x0f4efaee

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System

Disk /dev/sdb: 160.0 GB, 160041885696 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 19457 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x0004cff7

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdb1 * 2551 3824 10233405 83 Linux
robert@E7300:~$
sda has only Windows Vista. I’m getting there via the Boot It Next Generation boot menu.
sdb is the WD 160G

Yes, I meant to say create or edit. I forgot the terms used by OpenSUSE. What I did first was create a 20G partition (partition 3) using BING. The OpenSUSE installer did see that one when I used the ‘edit’ button. But not BING or Ubuntu. So, I deleted the 20G partition 3 and tried the SUSE install again using the create button.

I loaded up lots of apps in Fedora 13 and looked at system monitor and SWAP wasn’t being used. So, I figured it wasn’t necessary. I really don’t know how it’s used, though. I’ve not noticed anything strange without it. I’d prefer to keep BING because I use it also to create partition images. I think I can create the partition again in BING and go ahead with the SUSE installer in edit mode and place the install there, even though it doesn’t see BING or Ubuntu. Comment ?

RDL

@please_try_again
Any ideas. This looks strange.

@ piper99: what is BING

BING is Boot It Next Generation aka BootItNG. TeraByte Unlimited :: Boot Manager :: Partition Manager :: Drive Image :: Disk Copy :: Drive Wipe :: Hard Drive Utilities

@please_try_again” what ?

RDL

I was asking for comments from user ‘please_try_again’ who responded in post #3

The output from fdisk is not showing any partitions, which is strange, if not worrying.

BING: reports

Compatible with all Windows versions (9x/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003/Vista/2008/Win7/Servers)

Support for Linux Ext2/Ext3 and ReiserFS file systems

Umm…

What prompted you to use this in the first place?

BING is a strange boot menu. I paid $29. for it a few years ago and am kinda stuck with it now. It does a lot for me but I’ve had to ask for help from Terabyteunlimited several times in the past. I think I can install OpenSUSE on the remaining standard partition if I first create it with BING even though Ubuntu or BING itself doesn’t show up in the scan. If it gets FUBAR, I can restore everything from images in under an hour probably. I’ll give it a shot. I’d like to hear from “please_try_again” about SWAP. If I hear convincing reason to use it, I’ll go ahead and set up for some extended partitions and add some SWAP space.

Thanks !
RDL

The advice to use swap was good.

You are never stuck with anything BTW

I know it would get the 2 fingers from me.

Well, I kinda know how to use it and it’s paid for … A couple years ago (Fedora 10) I wanted to get away from Windows. But, initially I couldn’t find anything to replace Finale (music notation software), and there was no Rhapsody (Music, Downloads, Music Videos, Lyrics and Photos - Rhapsody) player for a linux distro. Now, I use Lilypond on Fedora for music notation. I like it and it’s also free. So, there’s just that one app now. I don’t let Windows out on the Internet except to go to the Rhapsody site. 2 fingers ?

RDL

2 fingers = something I can’t say here
Imagine ‘Road Rage’ and someone sticking 2 fingers up at you

In an inanimate setting, it basically means I would trash it.

Well thats a claytons fdisk -l ( the fdisk -l your having when your not having an fdisk -l , OK so that may be a local joke )
I would not expect much different, but what is shown by

sudo parted -l

Ok. I hear ya. Is there anything free or reasonably priced ? A boot menu and partition managing and imaging ?

RDL

Ok …

robert@E7300:~$ sudo parted -l
Model: ATA Maxtor 4R120L0 (scsi)
Disk /dev/sda: 123GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: msdos

Number Start End Size Type File system Flags

Model: ATA WDC WD1600AAJS-0 (scsi)
Disk /dev/sdb: 160GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: msdos

Number Start End Size Type File system Flags
1 21.0GB 31.5GB 10.5GB primary ext4 boot

robert@E7300:~$

I use Grub and a Parted Magic CD

I use Grub and a Parted Magic CD
so do I, I second the 2 finger suggestion!

Now I’m rolling about on the floor!

Parted Magic looks pretty good. It says “Move, copy, create, delete, expand & shrink hard drive partitions.” Is copy the same as image ?

On getting rid of BING, be carefull ! Where is your partition table?