Partition Confusion

[Controlpanel]

I have tried to partition my hard drive before and I know how to do it but how should I partition it to dual boot Linux? Should I just use some empty space or use unallocated space? Or should I create the partitions before installing it.

Thanks

[oz]

You need empty space (not partitioned) to install Linux. The installer will give you an option to dual-boot during the install. You can however create the partition(s) before installing if you wish.

[devils casper]

It depends on you only. I prefer creating Partition before installation.

A few distros like Ubuntu 7.04 and Fedora 7 don't have any option to use free space.

Installer offers two options only.
Guided .. Use entire disk space.
Manual .. Create partitions manually.

Most of distros are going to implement same setup.

[Controlpanel]

So how should I go about using the manual installer?

[devils casper]

If you wont create partition for new distro before installation then you have to shrink existing partition in Manual Partitioning.

Which distro are you planning to install?

[Controlpanel]

openSUSE is the distro that I am going to install.

[devils casper]

SuSe creates three partitions by default. / (root), /home and swap. I would suggest you to create only one partition before installation. Start Suse installation and select Expert Partitioning in Partition Section. Assign / mount point to newly created partition. SuSe installer will detect existing Swap partition.
You can create one more partition for home but I dont prefer separate home partition in Multiboot setup.

[Controlpanel]

Ok thanks I will try that