I have used Unix for ages on a Sun Workstation but never tried to install linux on my pc. I just got a new pc installed with Win 7, download a dvd for installing Suse. As I went through all the question/query, I came to a page right before the real installation begins. The message says that it will create new partition (from my spare space from C drive) which is fine with me. However it warns that all existing partitions will be formatted and all existing files will be deleted. That is when I chickened out and aborted the installation. Question here, did it really mean all the existing files will be deleted? I do not wish to have my Win 7 setting to be wiped out? Any suggestions for properly installing Suse without wiping out my Win & installation?
SUSE will not delete windows unless you specifically tell it to or allow it to use the entire HD
Have a look at these
Install openSUSE alongside Win7/Vista - A Guide
Thanks for the quick response. Should I partition the disk through Win before I reboot to restart the Suse installation? Or
just let the installation to partition my existing disk C:?
One other thing you might think about, since you are new to Linux, if you have the bandwidth and the spare CD’s, try downloading a LiveCD (openSUSE has these linked from the main opensuse website). You can booting that up and trying Linux that way, and it won’t make any changes to your computer. If something doesn’t work, just shutdown, eject the CD, and reboot – your computer will be just as it always was.
I like to suggest this because it’s a good way to make sure that your hardware is supported (and supported well) with Linux, and that you won’t have a lot of frustration after installing when things like network cards don’t work, video cards don’t work (or don’t display the wrong resolutions, etc).
Just my 2 cents worth…
Don’t use windows!
How may partitions are there Now! See my guide about that. Get yourself this and post the** fdisk -l** info
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10573557/pmagic-4.5.iso
Burn it to a cd
You can use it later for other things too
Please forgive my ignorance. After I download the pmagic iso file, what do I do to call up the program to invoke fdisk -l?
You have to burn the .iso to a cd
If windows can’t do it (I take it you are using windows)
Use an app like: Download ImgBurn 2.5.5.0 - FileHippo.com
Then boot from the CD
Using Parted Magic an Introduction
I did burn it on a cd. But when I reboot the machine, it still started to boot from the window. That was why I was puzzed…did I burn it with the wrong speed? (I chose 24x)
In Win 7 under “Disk Management” I just shrink my NTFS partition and let Linux create a new one from the empty space.
Windows can’t just burn an *.iso the “right” way. It literally wrote a file called “openSuse.iso” to the disk. A real disc burning utility un-“zips” (for lack of a better term) the *.iso and burns the unzipped contents.
bsilvereagle,
I tried that approach before through Win, but the installation program did not see that space and still tried to partitioned the
scaled down drive C:. Did you leave the spare space as a disk drive, free space or unallocated space?
My Steps:
Right Click on “My Computer”
Manage
Disk Management
In “Disk 0” I right click on “C:” and choose “Shrink Volume”
I shrink by the amount I want Linux to have.
I leave it unallocated.
In the openSuse installer I go to “Advanced Partition” or something like that. “Edit Partition” possibly.
I create a new partition.
I point openSuse to mount “/” (root) on that partition.
I hope that helps.
I did burn my suse disk the same way, all the files were unzipped on the disk and the rebooting did initialized from the dvd. I wonder why this burning is different.
That is strange. Did you check the PartitionMagic .iso for errors? I seriously doubt the burning speed had anything to do with it.
If the Windows “shrink” works, you won’t need the disc anyway.
That was what I first tried. But I do not know how to point openSuse to that location.
It seem unbelievable to me that windows can’t burn a .iso properly
But I gave you an app that can and advice. Take it or leave it
If you shrank the windows partition, I strongly recommend you find a good dual-booting openSuse guide. I believe caf has one in his sig. It is rather simple to do, but if done incorrectly, you will wipe Windows.
Also, do you plan on using Grub or the Windows Boot Manager?
Ignore the size of the partitions here, just note the principles in practice:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10573557/Partitioning%20example%20win7-linux.mpeg
This is being done in Parted Magic
Thanks for your help. I suceesfully installed suse without delete my win 7. ( I left the spare space as unallocated and the installation program targeted that area by itself)
I do have a few questions for you experts.
- Do I boot up through fail-safe mode?
- the boot up process for suse is longer than win 7. Is it mormal? When I chose window, it is up in 20-30 seconds while the Suse takes a few minutes.
3.When I called up firefox in suse, it cannot find the network. Where should I connect my computer to the wireless network at home?
4.the graphic is not as good as win 7. Is there any file I should edit to check that the display info is correctly set?
Thanks in advance.
Not normal to use failsafe, but you may need to until you get a graphics driver.
Open a terminal and post the result of
/sbin/lspci -nnk
It will help us see your hardware
Booting is usually similar to win 7 or quicker.
I have to crash soon, but others can help
These may get you started:
openSUSE Graphic Card Practical Theory Guide for Users