Chapter 1. Installation Warning

This guide only covers the most common steps of the installation process. If you plan on using Windows® as well as GNU/Linux by dual-booting (meaning being able to access either OS on the same computer), please note that it is easier to install Windows® before GNU/Linux. If Windows® is already set up on your system, and you have never installed GNU/Linux before, DrakX — Mandrakelinux's installation program — will have to resize your Windows® partition. This operation can be harmful to your data. Therefore, you must perform the following steps before proceeding:

If neither scandisk nor defrag are installed within Windows®, please refer to the Windows® documentation for instructions on installing them.

[Warning]Warning

NTFS Partitions. Windows® 2000, NT and XP users should remain careful: even though DiskDrake (through the ntfsresize application) is able to resize NTFS partitions, it's highly recommended that you back up your data before starting the installation. Please see the Linux-NTFS site as well as the NTFS Resize FAQ for more information on the subject.

[Tip]Tip

Windows® users can also use Norton Partition MagicTM to resize their NTFS partitions under Windows®.