6.8. Selecting the mount points

Now you need to specify in DrakX where the various partitions on the hard drive(s) will be mounted. Depending on the current content of your hard drive, the solutions proposed will differ slightly. We will take into account three scenarios: If you are installing Linux-Mandrake over an existing Windows installation, go to Install over an existing Windows installation. If you are installing Linux-Mandrake over an existing GNU/Linux installation, go to Install over an existing GNU/Linux installation. Otherwise, go to the next section, Install on a blank hard-drive.

6.8.1. Install over an existing Windows installation

If Windows is already installed on your system, the dialog will look like this (figure 6-8).

Figure 6-8. What to do with your existing windows partition

If you choose Erase Windows, it will simply erase everything on the drive and begin fresh, partitioning from scratch.

Choosing Use existing partition will allow you to dual-boot with Windows and GNU/Linux[1], both options will lead to an automatic partitioning of your drive(s), you won't need to worry any more about it.

If you choose the third option (Expert mode or Use diskdrake depending on your install class), you will enter the Linux-Mandrake partitionning tool: DiskDrake. It allows you to fine-tune your partitions. See the chapter DiskDrake: manage your partitions; the usage is the same.

6.8.2. Install over an existing GNU/Linux installation

If a version of GNU/Linux is already installed on your system, the dialog will look like this (figure 6-9).

Figure 6-9. What to do with your existing Linux partitions

If you choose Erase entire disk, it will simply erase everything on drive and begin again, partitioning from scratch. This option will lead to an automatic partitioning of your drive(s); you won't need to worry any more about it. Choosing Use existing partition will allow you to reuse some of your old partitions, without loosing information on them (typically /home). If you choose the third option (Expert mode or Use diskdrake depending on your install class), you will enter the Linux-Mandrake partitionning tool: DiskDrake. It allows you to fine-tune your partitions. See the chapter DiskDrake: manage your partitions; the usage is the same.

If you choose to use existing partitions, you will be asked to name the mount points for each partition (figure 6-10); you can leave them unchanged or invert them.

Figure 6-10. Mount points attribution

Also, it will ask you for the partitions to format (figure 6-11). Do not select partitions containing data which you want to keep!

Figure 6-11. Choose which partitions to format

6.8.3. Install on a blank hard-drive

If you are installing Linux-Mandrake on a brand new computer, the dialog will look like this (figure 6-12).

Figure 6-12. Partitioning method

If you choose Use free space, it will simply lead to an automatic partitioning of your drive(s); you won't need to worry any more about it. Choosing Use diskdrake enters the Linux-Mandrake partitionning tool: DiskDrake. It allows you to fine-tune your partitions. See the chapter DiskDrake: manage your partitions; the usage is the same.

Notes

[1]

All ideologic thoughts aside


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