rookie needs help

[dge22]

Hi all. I just installed Debian and I have never really used Linux per se. When I installed the new O/S, I reformatted my SATA drive fron NTFS to EXT3 thus erasing my WinXP and the rest of my files. I can live with that, but now I want to create a new partition as NTFS so I can reload WINXP so I can still use my computer as I am learning the Linux O/S. I have attempted to create a partition through fdisk, but to no avail. a little help from the pros would help me a lot.

[tom-tjtech]

Hi dge22-

You seem to have a working Linux system now, and you want to add
Windows as a dual-boot option.

I thoroughly suggest you start again,

Reformat the lot.

Create a sizable NTFS partition (say half the drive capacity depending on your preferences) as NTFS using Windows install CD, leaving the other half unformatted.

When you have Windows running,
first burn a disc copy of Gparted-

Create two new Ext3 format partitions, the primary for /boot can be quite small say 1GB, and the rest mount as root - i.e '/'.

You can use Sourceforge GParted LiveCD (downloaded the CD image
http://gparted.sourceforge.net/livecd.php) to do this.

Now simply insert your Debian install disc
and reboot (making sure your bios points to boot from CD drive first-option in
the bios setup at boot - this may not be necessary if Linux installer starts though).
Let the Debian installer auto configure the other mount points, but make sure the first boot -partition is pointed to by '/boot' mount point.

This is so you can totally reinstall your linux in the future without worrying about losing your boot configuration or your windows and vica-versa.
Your fresh Windows partition will remain and appear as a boot option.

Try this, Im not sure about Debian install but opt for GRUB if available and
mount your NTFS partition during install.

[genesus]

since xp will run on fat32, make a fat32 partition for it, that way you can access your files from linux as well.

[Zelmo]

since xp will run on fat32, make a fat32 partition for it, that way you can access your files from linux as well.

Better yet, steer clear of FAT's limitations and use NTFS for your Windows partition. Then install this ext2/ext3 filesystem driver for Windows and keep all your shared files on an ext3 partition (either your main Linux partition or a separate one, your choice).