SuSE Linux: Versions since 7.1
Disk space needs to be allocated for Linux.
Linux requires empty partitions or free unpartitioned disk space. It is not possible to place a Linux partition between two available Windows partitions. If you have three available Windows partitions, it is not possible to make a Linux partition between the first and third Windows partition, replacing the second one. That would lead to a change of the device letters concerning the Windows partitions and subsequently cause errors in the Windows operating system.
Sometimes preconfigured Windows hosts have two partitions -- the main partition and a small hidden
partition at the end of the hard disk, which includes system files.
In this case, copy these files to the main partition and subsequently delete the small
partition
(with DOS fdisk
, the DOS software FIPS
, or during the installation when
you partition manually).
Before you change the partition table, create a backup to save your Windows files.
If an operating system is already installed on your hard disk, such as Windows or Linux, you have several possibilities to create this disk space.
Repartition the hard drive. For that purpose, save the Windows files, repartition the entire hard drive with DOS fdisk, and create a primary partition for Windows. Reserve free space for Linux.
After this, reinstall Windows. Finally, install Linux.
You can use the Windows resizer during the installation with YaST2 if the following requirements are met.
Before you change the partition table, create a backup and store your relevant Windows files.
If you are installing with YaST1 or if the reduction of the Windows partition using the Windows resizer does not succeed, you may use the DOS program fips.exe from the directory \dosutils\fips\fips20 from the 1st CD. The program can likewise reduce VFAT file system partitions. An instruction for this program can be found in the same directory.
To minimize windows partitions, move the files to the beginning of the partition with a defragmentation program. Defragmentation software does not relocate hidden system files, because such files may have been set up from copy protection programs or system tools, such as Norton Utilities, at a defined place on the hard disk. If there are no such files, you may deactivate the attribute 'Hidden' or 'System' concerning all relevant files to move these files.
C:\>ATTRIB *.* > attrib.txt
Write a list of the files signed with the S or H flag into the file attrib.txt. You will receive a summary of all files and change the attribute with the DOS command:
C:\>ATTRIB -h -s filename.typ
After the defragmentation process, revoke the changes by executing the DOS command
C:\>ATTRIB +s +h filename.typ
Even the Windows swap file Win386.swp is a hidden file. In the Windows 'System Control', deactivate this virtual memory.
Data may be lost by repartitioning. Backup your Windows files.
Find more information about repartitioning at chapter 2.6.1. 'Enhance free space for linux' covered in the reference manual. On the first CD you'll find the file "book-suselinux-reference_de.pdf" located in "/docu". It contains our manual included in the professional-edition of SuSE Linux 7.2 in a pdf-file format. The ASCII version of the reference manual can be found in /docu/ascii/suselinux-reference_de.txt.
Installation of Linux on an empty hard disk is the best option. The partitioning will be suggested by YaST2 (or YaST1) automatically. If you partition manually, use partitions as follows:
Device Size Filesystem Mountpoint /dev/hda1 20 MB ext2 /boot /dev/hda2 128 MB swap --- /dev/hda3 1400 MB ext2 / /dev/hda4 400 MB ext2 /home
The numbering can differ from this table.
The device names read as follows:
IDE System: Primary IDE, Master = /dev/hda Primary IDE, Slave = /dev/hdb Secondary IDE, Master = /dev/hdc Secondary IDE, Slave = /dev/hdd Systems with additional IDE Controllers: First Hard Disk at the Controller = /dev/hde Second Hard Disk at the Controller = /dev/hdf SCSI System: first SCSI hard disk = /dev/sda second SCSI hard disk = /dev/sdb
Features of the partitions: