HDD and WinOS question(s)

[madphilb]

Few things I've got some questions on....

I've got to get a new HD... I've long since outgrown the 4GB one that came with this system, and the 10GB that I added that was loaned to me by my Sister has to go back to her.

I'm looking at either a 40 or 80 GB drive (price is about right)... however there are a few things I want to consider.

Am I going to have problems linking this drive with my existing one? (note: I have an older eMachine tower)

I'm planning on slowly upgrading my system (next step will most likely be a new Motherboard/CPU with memory and a case)... at some point Linux will be setup as the primary OS with a dual-boot to Win98.

Here's where it get's a bit complicated:

1) I don't have a Win98 install CD, only a restore CD that came with my machine. - would it be safe to use on a different drive, or worse, system than it was originally intended for? I have a directory with all the CAB files as well as an install.exe file and whatnot, can that be made into an installable CD?
(maybe I just need to break down and pick up a copy of Win98se)

2) Is there anything special I should do with the drive to prepare it for the move and later adding Linux (how should I divide it, etc.

3) What would you all say would be the easiest way to transfer all the data from my existing HD to the new one (I want to only use the new drive as soon as possible).


I'm tech savvy enough to handle this sort of thing on my own, but I figured I do the smart think and pick the brains of people who have more experience with these things than stumbling blindly into this on my own (I'd be able to get it all straight in the end, but if I can shortcut the mistakes and do it right the first time, I figure that would be better).


Thanks in advance... if I've left some information out, let me know what you need.

[shooraijin]

The restore CD usually is just a format-and-copy, so it shouldn't care if the new hard disk is bigger.

For Linux, what I would do is make a single partition and install Windows on this single partition, and don't use up the whole drive so that you can then use Linux's disk tools to partition up the rest (if you just intend to play with Linux, you probably won't need to leave more than 10GB or so, and that's probably plenty generous right there). When you're ready to install Linux, you can use the rest of the space then.

When I copy drive to drive, I have an old copy of Norton Ghost I got at a swap meet that I use to do the job. It's pretty much the ultimate disk copy tool. The current Ghost understands NTFS and FAT32 (I think the one I have only understands original FAT16, but my few PC systems are all DOS and FAT16 Windows, so it doesn't matter to me), and it's a very useful program to have.

[madphilb]

Thanks Shooby...

So if I'd want to only give about 30-40 gigs of my 80 gig drive to Windows, make that size partition, then do the restore disk to it.... then when I get my Linux allocate the rest of the drive to Linux, correct?

I may just copy all the data into a subdirectory like I did when I got the new machine (used a serial cable and the system sharing thing with Widows). This'll be easier, then I can put the 4GB away and pull what files I need from the old files as I find them (basically start the system over fresh).

I'm thinking I might just go ahead and install all the updates for 98 (got them from MS today via my Mom's broadband), find a copy of IE6, install that (upgrade) then use PCLite to hack out IE from the system (so the web stuff is up to date).

We'll see how it works out, might go get the drive on my way home in a little while.

[Mithrandir]

Uh, hang one. Make sure to lookup a HOWTO online somewhere. It's important to make sure you do it in the right order. It's been a few years since I did this, but I think that's the right order.

Assuming that's the case, you can just use fdisk to make one partition that's 40 gb, or whatever, and then when you install linux, your installer will allow for other partitions within the leftover 40+ gb.

[madphilb]

I take it we're talking a Linux "HowTo" site.

[Mithrandir]

OK. I've had a chance to do a little research here, and I think I've come up with an idea or two for you. Here's the rundown, assuming you are starting from scratch. Since your boot code MUST be in the first 1024 tracks of your first HD, you'd better be sure to follow these directions.

1. Boot from the linux install floppy, and start your install process.
2. Create a single partition of about 10 megs, using fdisk, and make sure it's the primary partition. Leave the space you want for your windows install BLANK. Don't format it using the linux format tools, or your windows system install will simply write off the end of it. ><
3. After you 'w'rite your partition table, reboot the machine.
4. Using a windows system disk, create the partition of the size you want to use with windows. (20 gb? 40 gb?)
5. Do a format c: /s (gives you the system files). Make sure it looks like it's formatting the right amount of space.
6. Install windows, and make sure it works (by re-booting).
7. Go back into the linux install and this time go all the way through it. Incidentally, your first partition should be /boot, the second partition should be the windows partition, the 3rd you'd probably want to be your swap drive, and the 4th should be the linux dir. I'd recommend installing EVERTHING on your first linux install, as you'll want it all sooner or later (if you are learning).
8. Toward the end of your install, you'll need to do your LILO config. Config the box to boot from the MBR. You can set either win98 or linux to be your default. (NOTE: you should probably give the win98 partition a better name than "dos" if you want to let other people use this at some point).

Let us know if you have questions.