Installing Linux With Hidden Partition

[Mr. Rogers]

I have a Dell computer with one of those hidden restore partition things. If I install Suse Linux on here, will it mess up that hidden partition? Also, If I ever want to remove Linux from my machine, can I just delete the Linux partitions and then use that restore partition to bring my computer back to the way it was when I got it?

[Icarus]

I don't know how the restore partition works, so I can't answer your second question, but on most Linux distros, you can set up which part of the HD you want to use, so if the restore partition is an actual partition and not a hidden folder, you can tell the installer to ignore it entirely. I have my home computer set up with the main hard drive split between Win XP and Linux, and they share the secondary drive.

[Arnobius]

The restore partition restores the computer to the "factory condition" which means that the computer loses everything else you installed.

[Mithrandir]

Yeah...

1. Pretty much any distrobution of Linux can remove all partitions from the drive (AFAIK).
2. You can remove linux by deleting the partitions it's installed on.

[Mr. Rogers]

so if i install it, will it ruin that hidden partition?

[Mithrandir]

Most likely you'll be given the oppertunity to determine what partitions to install on (you'll have to delete SOME partition(s) in the even you don't have any unpartitioned space). Most likely you'll clear out the NTFS/FAT partition (the windows one) and install in the space left over. Unforunately, you may have to clear out the master boot record (boot block) in order to get windows to boot. Where did the computer/drive come from? We might be able to find more information online about it. On the otherhand, you may be able to get a cheap hard drive at a swap meet and avoid this altogether. I can get a small HD by purchasing a full computer at my local goodwill for about $30.00. I install linux on it as is and ususally am good to go.

YMMV.