Installing Knoppix on a computer with Winxp already on it.

**sethosayher** · 09-10-2004, 03:20 AM

I'm a newbie to LInux. Basicly, WINXP hasn't been working correctly, and I want to use knoppix to, in a way, replace it.

I'm new around partions and such, and i' sure i'll mess up the process somehow. I don't want to delete WinXp for various reasons, instead I want to have a dual boot system with Knoppix and Windows.

WinXP is already installed, and I have about 20 gigs of space left. Can someone give me some pointers for this?

**Garibaldi** · 09-10-2004, 03:32 AM

what is your filesystem? Is it ntsf or fat32. If its fat32, you are in luck. If its ntsf, you will have to use a program (there are some listed at the bottom of the "docs" page) to syphine off some of that 20 gigs, probably between 5 and 10 gigs for your install, depending on what you want to do. For the different types of installs, see the docs section also. To install in the least amount of space, you can run knoppix from the cd but be able to keep your settings, files, and install new programs. All you have to do is create a persistent home file and save an configuration file. Then when knoppix first boots you will get a screen where you can enter boot cheats. Type: knoppix home=scan myconfig=scan. That will do it for you. For more details, see the docs section, or just ask, I'm happy to help.

**dobell** · 09-10-2004, 12:18 PM

Hi:

well, I have been able to intall knoppix using winxp and resizing the partitions without problem.

when knoppix has started from cd, you have to open konsole and then type:

#su
#knoppix-installer

This is a script that will guide you throw all the process. I think the best way is resize your XP partition and then create 2 partitions more. The first for your knoppix files, minimun 2.5G and you can choose ext3 or reiserfs type. Then when created this partitions knoppix will detect them and install every file in its corresponding location. It's easy, you can try, but if you don't want to create partitions, you can choose installing it in knoppix-like mode.

**sethosayher** · 09-10-2004, 01:53 PM

I'm gonna try to install a partiton, but can someone explain that process that Garbaldi talked about?

Also, when I boot up with two Oses, will the BIOS choose linux or windows to boot up? Or can I choose?

Thanx for the help

**j.drake** · 09-10-2004, 04:28 PM

Originally Posted by sethosayher

I'm gonna try to install a partiton, but can someone explain that process that Garbaldi talked about?

Here 'ya go. Garibaldi didn't have room initially to put the knoppix file system on his hard drive, so he didn't do the portions relating to use of the "tohd" and "fromhd" arguments, but if you could free up a fraction of that 20 gig for a persistent home (maybe the rest in FAT32, so it's usable by both OSes), you should be OK. Someone recently suggested that Qtparted on the Knoppix disk can resize NTFS partitions to allow you create FAT32. I've actually seen a number of posts claiming that resizing NTFS with Qtparted is safe, provided that you defrag the devil out of the partition first (In fact, I intend to use it myself on a laptop whose NTFS partition is running out of room).

jd

**sethosayher** · 09-10-2004, 07:42 PM

Thanx, maybe I can install linux today

**sethosayher** · 09-10-2004, 08:37 PM

OK, I think my HDD is a NTSF drive. So what do i do?

Also, when I tried starting the knoppix installer using:

#su
#knoppix-installer

nothing happened. I tried in the konsole and the boot sequence. Am I typing something wrong? Where do I enter these commands?

**sethosayher** · 09-10-2004, 08:40 PM

Ok, i entered, "knoppix-installer" by itself but a message saying "root permison needed" poped up. What do I do now?

Oh yeah, thanx for all your efforts, I know how hard it can be to work with a newbie

**firebyrd10** · 09-10-2004, 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by sethosayher

Ok, i entered, "knoppix-installer" by itself but a message saying "root permison needed" poped up. What do I do now?

Oh yeah, thanx for all your efforts, I know how hard it can be to work with a newbie

Its no problem, we were all newbies once.

Root is basicly the same as administrator on windows.

type sudo knoppix-installer instead.

(j.drake: I believe the new version can safely move the fragments around on the drive in order to get to the empty space. The systemrescue cd I posted about earlier showed 23 gigs free while knoppix showed only 6.)

**sethosayher** · 09-10-2004, 08:50 PM

Ok, I got into the installer. Now I tired to resize my hdd. But whenever I try, a message pops up:

"$Bitmap $DATA: Input/output error"

I think this is because of my NTSF file system. Is there a program to convert some data to fat32?