Linux and windows on my thinkpad

[Qif]

Specs

Product: ThinkPad T41 2373-1FA [change]


Operating system: Windows XP [change]

Original description: P M 1.4GHz, 256MB RAM, 30GB 4200rpm HDD, 14.1 XGA(1024x768) TFT LCD, 32MB ATI Radeon 7500, 16x10x24x/8x CD-RW/DVD, Intel 802.11b wireless(MPCI), Modem(CDC), 1Gb Ethernet(LOM), UltraNav, Secure Chip, 6 cell Li-Ion battery, WinXP Pro
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What i'm trying to do is install a linux operating system (dual booting method) and prevent the predesktop area/restore factory settings to be overwritten. What is the start and the end cylinder of the hard disk area?

(if anyone is willing to give me a detailed step-by-step intsructions to have linux and windows in my thinkpad please do, thx)

[tehsoul]

check www.thinkwiki.org , it has most (if not all) info on linux on thinkpads

[Miles]

The restore area should be on a separate partition, hence you don't need to worry about over writing it unless you delete that partition. The only tricky bit is resizing the main Windows partition so you have some space for Linux. If it's a completely new system it's probably easiest to delete the Windows partition, create two new ones, do a Windows restore on one of them and install Linux on the second.

For more detailed instructions check out this page:

http://www.linux-on-laptops.com/ibm.html

There are plenty of pages describing how to install Linux on a T41.

[ddutta]

Hi

I have installed Linux on a T42 like this:

* 1st use some partitioning tool like the free GNU parted or partition magic to shrink your windows partition without touching the recovery area which is at the end of the disk

* use the same software (eg partition magic) to create the linux partitions. I use separate partitions for / /home and swap .... ensure that all partitions are primary and the recovery parition has not been fiddled with!

* install linux .... choose the exisiting partitions. In FC4, you can say manual partioning and just edit the partition table to label teh partitions.

Good luck!