Installing Knoppix 5.01 on Drive

[CaptSkip]

Hello All, (first post, have been reading here 4 weeks)
FIRST let me thank all you that take the time to answer us dumb noob-z.
Your efforts & posts have convinced me to scrap my windows and get back to computing in the raw....
Can I install it on my 40 gig that only shows via cfdisk 8.23mb free & partition 1 shows 40007.77mb NTFS.?
I think it said to set up the swap partition first.
It said to select free space but it needs 2gb?
I am trying to install knoppix 5.01 (2006 build) to the hard drive.
I am using the install sheet here: Tutorial for installing Knoppix on a HDD, by The Linux Information Project (LINFO)
I am doing each step very carefully but when I get On page 2 "Partitioning"
I have different screen showing than what is called for.
I think this install is for blank hard drives or with drives you don't care about losing the files already on the drive. I am hoping to save the xp pro install that ran fine untill now it is asking for activation, but I don't want to address that issue yet.

Not Related: The computer has a super clean install of xp pro sp2 that is asking to be activated, which I haven't done.

my system:P4 2.8GHz HT (2core almost) northwood, mobo Ecs Elite PM800-M2, ram 1gb pc3200, Seagate ide ata 40gig, winxp pro sp2 Locked not activated.


"97cents - at the checkout, a bag of M&Ms cost more than a share of citigroup"

[jmadero]

why are you using knoppix? This is really mostly used as a live distro (usually as a way to get into windows to recover stuff from my experience). Distros that are more "normal" for new users include:

OpenSuse
Ubuntu
Kubuntu
Fedora Core

you might want to check these out

[CaptSkip]

I am using Knoppix because an IT friend gave me the iso cd and said it is the best.
I was inclined to go with ubuntu, but was talked out of it.

Knoppix is fine and I have been using it for 2 weeks, trying to learn..

[jmadero]

I would definitely disagree with that statement. "Best" is dependent on the user...what do you plan on doing with it?

If you want general functionality, with great support I would suggest one of the ones I suggested before, in specific I would suggest Ubuntu.

I have used Knoppix several times to get into Windows systems and take files on corrupted drives. Other than that, I would never say it's the best for general purpose use

[CaptSkip]

What do I plan on doing with it?
I plan on learning knoppix 5.01 !!!!

Using cfdisk, I need to know if I should select the ntfs 1 partition 470007.77mb but it has windows on it. I have only 2 choices, the above or the "Free Space" 8.23mb.
Is the 8.23 the mbr?
If I select the ntfs that has windows on it, will i be able to add partitions there without disturbing win xp?

[jmadero]

you need to edit the NTFS partition using (most easily) gparted, which is available on the Ubuntu cd (or several other main distros), I'm not sure if it's on the Knoppix cd. If you select that one without altering it you will screw up your windows boot.

Read this:
What is Knoppix Good For ?

to get a better idea of why Knoppix is not good for a new linux user to use, it wasn't designed to be a main Linux distro, it was designed to be used as a live cd and people have found ways to trick it to work otherwise, that's not its purpose though

[rokytnji]

Well first off, before going into shrinking Partitions and Partitioning and then formatting it. DEFRAG DEFRAG DERAG.

Get all those Windows files located to the left of Partition as far as they can go under your System Tools. After that run a Checkdisk. Disk Cleanup is also recommended before defragging. Obit has a good free defragger to clean up Windows files.|MG| IObit Smart Defrag 1.1.1

Then when thats done Backup all the stuff important in Windows that you can't live without. Backup is a good way to repair anything you lose buy screwing up partitioning. By the way what distro are you going to try and install? Is it a live cd or just a install cd? Folks here can better help you if we know exactly what you are trying to do. Espicially when it comes to installing bootloader for Windows and Linux.

Welcome to the Frontpage is a good tool for shrinking partions, Then making a new Partition out of unallocated Space. I run dual boot on all my laptop Hardrives, though they are Linux dualboots installs. Xubuntu/Antix for instance.

On my 40 gig Hardrive on one laptop I did this for Windows and Linux
I did all the above steps. Used Gparted off of Partedmagic Iso to divide 40 gig hardrive to 2 20 gig Partitions. Linux Partition was as follows.

hda2 PRIMARY EXT3 / 19 gigs (The / designated that partiton as the root Partition, That is where my Linux operating system is installed.) I didn't want a seperate Home Partition so I could keep it simple.

hda3 PRIMARY Swap 1 gig

During install process I selected Manual Install option instead of default. I selected operating system to be installed on hda2. I selected swap to go to hda3.

When asked where to put grub, I selected MBR (master boot record) After install finished, and I pull cd and reboot I am greeted with a Linux Mint grub Boot screen asking if I want to boot up Linux or Windows. Piece of Cake.

[rokytnji]

I agree with jmadero about trying to install Knoppix. Its great as a Live distro since that is its purpose. If I didn't type so damn slow I'd keep up with you guys. I like suggesting Ubuntu, Mepis 8 or Linux Mint for first time Linuxers.

[CaptSkip]

[QUOTE=jmadero;674659]you need to edit the NTFS partition using (most easily) gparted, which is available on the Ubuntu cd (or several other main distros), I'm not sure if it's on the Knoppix cd. If you select that one without altering it you will screw up your windows boot.

Thanks jmadero, but I do not understand "one" where you said "If you select "one"??
AND Altering it? What is "it" as in altering it? the partition or hard drive or partition program??

[CaptSkip]

roky - it is (I was told) a knoppix 5.01 ISO image on cd.
I has been working fine for last 2 weeks so I am learning more each day.
Time for bed - as I am old, will be back bright & early tomorrow.
Thanks guys