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April 18th, 2005 14:00
Dual booting windows and Linux and dell PC restore
Hi,
I've just bought an inspiron 1150 and wanting to dual boot it with Linux, I also don't want the to lose the ability to restore it to its original state with the dell/Symantec restore thing.
I'm using partition magic to resize my windows partitions, I have noticed a FAT and a CP/M, Concurrent DOS, CTOS partition. To allow my to restore to the previous state do I need to add a section for the FAT partition in my bootloader configuration or will I still be able to do ctl-F11 once I've installed my Linux bootloader. Also if I restore the laptop in this way will I lose the Linux partition and the windows partition go back to its original size?
I've just bought an inspiron 1150 and wanting to dual boot it with Linux, I also don't want the to lose the ability to restore it to its original state with the dell/Symantec restore thing.
I'm using partition magic to resize my windows partitions, I have noticed a FAT and a CP/M, Concurrent DOS, CTOS partition. To allow my to restore to the previous state do I need to add a section for the FAT partition in my bootloader configuration or will I still be able to do ctl-F11 once I've installed my Linux bootloader. Also if I restore the laptop in this way will I lose the Linux partition and the windows partition go back to its original size?
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oakapples
7 Posts
0
April 22nd, 2005 07:00
When you boot from The Mandriva distros the included partition manager is extremely capable.
Using Mandriva 2005 Limited Edition, just yesterday, I was able to
1/delete the Linux partition and
2/expand the XP partition to take all the available space.
Then you would just go back and do restore as required. Specifically you can also restore the MBR using the XP disks and therefore not destroy your Windows data.
The problem yesterday was that I installed Linux with insufficient space as a result of failing to defrag windows. That machine is now dual booting without problems and without losing any Windows data.
I would add that I have experience of other users who have resorted to the use of PM and I would advise - use the partion manager of the Mandrive in preference to PM.
noordinaryspide
35 Posts
0
April 25th, 2005 20:00
If you prefer a different distro, I would recommend using QTParted to resize, format, and create new partitions. It is included on Knoppix and is far superior to Partiton Magic.
As far as adding the restore partition to your bootloader, I do not believe that it is necessary. My Compaq has a recovery partition which I can still access by hitting F12, but now I can also access it from Lilo as well. ;)
Darn (sic) Small Linux added it automatically to the bootloader.
Since Windows cannot see Linux partitions, I would assume that ours will be safe when we need to use our recovery partitions for Windows.
fulch92a
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36 Posts
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June 3rd, 2005 20:00
oakapples
7 Posts
0
June 3rd, 2005 21:00
When we have computer with the FAT32 partition containing restore data you do not interfere with that.
By default Lilo comes up with options windows, windows1 and linux.
Firstly I identify which is the restore and which is the actual windows partion by trying it.
Then I rename the appropriate one to windowsXP to make it clear when presented with the LILO choices.
Now when we install Linux we use space in the windows partition. The choice is clear at this point because the windows partition is large (c.f. the restore partition)
Now if you run the restore it will restore the windows and you won't have the lilo anymore, but the Linux partition will still be there, you just can't access it.
To restore LILO simply run (upgrade) the linux and that will rewrite the LILO on the MBR
If you wish to remove the Linux use the first disk and delete the partition. Then strech the windows (NTFS) partition.
These processes do not interfere with the restore partition.
Do NOT delete the restore partition (again it is obvious which it is from the size)
Further comment, if you have a formatted ext2 or ext3 partition for Linux, windows cannot change it, it cannot see it, and the restore software whether on a restore partition or on CD also cannot alter or delete it.
Of course you should backup any important data but, with the many different machines I have Linuxxed I have never had problems, but there is always a first time.
So, have faith, Linux works!