In attempting to install Opensuse 11.X, I have repeatedly encountered a warning I am not sure how to get past safely. The systems I wish to dual-boot Opensuse with will either be primarily Vista, Win 7, or XP, all of which will hopefully also have a third boot option for Windows Server 2008. If there are suggestions of which order to install these operating systems, I would appreciate that as well, as it would be a quick note one could add, but I understand if no one wants to waste this thread simply discussing that. When installing Opensuse over a Vista installation, it comes to a point where it finds the previously used partition, which is one a single HD laptop. It will warn, no matter which direction I try to go, that I will lose the entire partition. This is the step I wish assistance with, as it seems to happen with any option chosen. Otherwise, I am aware that another partition could be created on this single drive, from within Vista, and that one could be chosen during Opensuse installation. I have understanding of the MBR. If someone was to make a reply and mentioned what they know would occur to the MBR, if I chose to install Opensuse to a separate empty partition than the one Windows is using, it would be helpful. A step by step explanation of which option to choose, when all options I’ve tried keep telling me that the partition will be lost, would be helpful. If someone knows a separate page that lists steps to take at that point of the Opensuse installation, designed to help those that are warned that the partition will be lost, it would be good to mention for novice users like me.
I was hoping that downloading and burning the installation disc would be half the battle for an experienced OS user of 15 years, but it wasn’t. I am getting in to Opensuse because it is the alternate OS of choice for IBM, my future dream employer, as I get closer to a Computer Science degree and begin to learn programming. All systems that will use Opensuse will be experimental, and never mission critical, in my education. Thank you for your assistance, and I hope to be viewed as a serious user of these forums and helpful future contributor.