Re: [SLE] A Question About Drive Partitioning

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Date: Thu, 24 Jun 2004 09:56:58 -0400
To: suse-linux-e@suse.com

Mark H. Dixon wrote:

> Hello:
>
> I am trying to make the switch to Linux, but am starting from the
> point of absolute cluelessness, so any help would be greatly appreciated.
>
> I am trying to install Suse Linux 9.1 on a Pentium III system that has
> 4 hard drives. Until I become proficient enough to depend upon Linux
> I want to retain my Windows OS as well. I want to use the fourth hard
> drive exclusively for Linux and except for the boot loader, which I
> assume must be on the C drive, I want to leave all the other drives
> for exclusive Windows use.
>
> My problem is that I am not sure that I understand how Linux indicates
> hard drives. Here is my best guess based on its partitioning
> recommendation.
>
> Windows: Linux:
> C:/ hda1
> D:/ hdb1
> E:/ hde1
> F:/ hdf1
>
> Now, this is what the installer proposes to do by way of partitioning:
>
> Resize Windows partition F: (/dev/hdf1) from 233.7 GB to 77.9 GB
> Create swap partition 776.5 MB on /dev/hdf2
> Create root partition 155.0 GB (/dev/hdf3) with reiser)
> Set mount point of /dev/hda1 to /windows/C
> Set mount point of /dev/hdb1 to /windows/D
> Set mount point of /dev/hde1 to /window/E
>
> My question is what are hdf2 and hdf3? Are they different partitions
> on the F:/ drive? If so does this partition suggestion mean that the
> only drive that Linux will be using is the F:/ drive?
>
> As I said any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
>
>
>
> Mark Dixon
>
A simple explanation of partition addressing in Linux for the Windows
newbie:

There are (usually ) two IDE controllers on a motherboard, the Primary
controller and the Secondary controller. Each controller has two
channels which allows two drives to be connected to each controller.
The first drive on the Primary controller is labeled HDA, the second
drive is labeled HDB. The first drive on the Secondary controller is
HDC and the second drive on the Secondary controller is HDD.

If you happen to have a SCSI controller or you are using a USB memory
stick then they are labeled in the same fashion but with a SD prefix
rather than the HD prefix.

Now, a hard drive can have 4 Primary partitions or an unlimited number
of Logical partitions. The Primary partitions are labeled 1-4 and the
Logical partitions are labeled 5-?. So, the first primary partition on
the first drive attached to the primary controller would be HDA1.

By the suggestion that you were given, your linux installer wants to
shrink HDF1 (Windows Drive F:), create two new partitions (HDF2&3) and
install Linux onto them. The other drives (Windows Drive C:, D:, E:)
will be given mount points so that they will be visible to Linux.

Since it seems that you intend to dual boot Windows/Linux, I would
suggest you do some research on it as Linux and Windows XP have been
having some issues with coexisting.

-- 
Donald Grayson
Systems Administrator
SportPaint, Inc.
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• Previous message: Trey Sizemore: "Re: [SLE] Re: More on mounting cf cards / cameras / stability of konq 3.2.2"
• In reply to: Mark H. Dixon: "[SLE] A Question About Drive Partitioning"
• Next in thread: Doug McGarrett: "Re: [SLE] A Question About Drive Partitioning"
• Reply: Doug McGarrett: "Re: [SLE] A Question About Drive Partitioning"
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