How to Partition a Hard Drive for Linux

Before you install Linux on a computer, the hard drive must be partitioned to accept the new operating system. The partitioning process divides the hard drive's available space into sections and then formats that space to be readable by the operating system. This can be done before installing Linux, with many different partitioning programs, or during the installation process, with tools that are built into the Linux installer.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Partitioning software or Linux Live CD

1. Boot the computer with a Linux Live CD or a CD containing partitioning software in the CD-ROM drive. Nearly all distributions are available as Live CDs, which allow the user to explore the operating system before installing it. Often, the Live CD will also include a stand-alone partitioning utility that can be run separately from the installation process; it is normally located in the "Utilities" or "System" menu.

2. Run the stand-alone portioning software or the partitioning utility on the Live CD, or start the installation routine from the icon on the desktop. Running partitioning software before starting the installation routine may allow advanced users more control over the partitioning process.

3. Choose the drive on which to install Linux. In most computers, there will be only one drive, and it will be labeled HDA or SDA. HDA is the first hard drive on the IDE controller, while SDA is the first hard drive on the Serial ATA controller. A second drive would be labeled either HDB or SDB, respectively.

4. Resize or delete the Windows partition, if there is one. Typically, it is labeled either NTFS or FAT32. If Windows will no longer be used, and there are no files that are needed on the Windows volume, the partition can be deleted. Otherwise, resize the Windows partition, if there is enough free space on the drive. Linux will require anywhere from 500 megabytes to 4 gigabytes of space, depending on the distribution.

5. Create a new partition in the empty space using the Ext3 file system, unless the distribution requires a specialized file system. Linux requires a minimum of two partitions: one for the main file system, and one for a Swap partition. The swap partition temporarily stores the contents of the computer's random access memory, or RAM; on most systems, it should be equal to or larger than the amount of RAM in the system. After calculating the space needed for the swap partition, the rest of the empty space can be used for the main Ext3 partition.

6. Designate the Ext3 partition as the root partition, often denoted by the "/" character.

7. Create the Swap partition in the remaining space, using the Swap file system.

8. Choose the appropriate option in the partitioning software to commit the changes to disk, then install Linux or continue the installation routine.

Tips & Warnings

• Many distributions have install processes that allow the user to avoid the more complicated details of partitioning, by offering the choice of using the entire drive or the remaining space on the drive, and automatically creating the partitions from that point. Some Linux users prefer to create a third partition, which is labeled "/home." This partition stores all of the user's personal files, allowing her to switch to a different version of Linux without losing or having to move all of those files.
• Data may be destroyed during the partitioning process. Make sure all important files are backed up before proceeding.

[raymag]

on 11/11/2009 What if my Windows XP is already partitioned in 3 sections? How do I install Linux?