Install Linux on T43 2687D8U

[KK]

I use the IBM thinkpad T43 Model 2687D8U and want to install Linux.

However, I got the problem when I use the Disk Drud program to partition my harddrive for Linux (/Boot,Swap and Root partition) as following:

1. I created my partitions on my hard drive as:
1). C: 15GB Primary
2). D: 15GB Logical
3). E: 15GB Logical
(D and E are on Extended partition)
4). Unallocated Primary
5). IBM_Service Primary

So, I have three Primary Partitions and one Extended Partition. When I use the Disk Drud program to create partition for Linux as described, I can only create one partition for linux ( for example, I create boot partition for Linux first followed by the SWAP partition or vice versa). It tell me that " can not allocate the requested partition". So I can not create three partitions for Linux and can not install it.

2. I change my partitions to
1). C: 15GB Primary
2). D: 30GB Primary
3). Unallocated Primary
4). IBM_Service Primary

With this configuration, I can create three partitions for Linux(Boot,SWAP,and Root) on the unallocated primary partition. Why?


Could you give me the solution to fix this problem? I want my hard drive to have 1 primary partition for Windows, 1 primary partition for Linux, 1 primary for IBM_Service and 1 extended partition with 2 logical partitions for D and E. How could I do to create this configuration?

[smugiri]

2. I change my partitions to
1). C: 15GB Primary
2). D: 30GB Logical
3). Unallocated Primary
4). IBM_Service Primary

With this configuration, I can create three partitions for Linux(Boot,SWAP,and Root) on the unallocated primary partition. Why?

The rule is 4 primary partions and extended paritions with 4 logical volumes. In this config, you use 2 primary partitions ( c and IBM service ) and 1 extended with a logical volume ( d ).
Linux then uses the 1 remaining primaries since boot takes one then one for swap and an extended partition for / or some variation thereof of this combination since swap can also be in an extended parition. Remember that since you have a boot partition, / does NOT have to be primary. Boot is the only one that MUST be primary.

Could you give me the solution to fix this problem? I want my hard drive to have 1 primary partition for Windows, 1 primary partition for Linux, 1 primary for IBM_Service and 1 extended partition with 2 logical partitions for D and E. How could I do to create this configuration?

Assuming you do not have access to a tool like partition magic:

possible long and painful method:
- recover to factory: this will create the HPA and use all remaining disk for c
- use linux / windows disk to remove c and create a new primary partion with the c size you would like. Theoretically, you could also put this in an extended partition if you installed linux first since linux would manage boots using its dedicated boot partition
- re-install win on re-sized c using recovery, do not allow FAT to NTFS conversion if you would like linux read write access, if you only need read, NTFS is much better )
- install linux, create a primary boot partition and put / and swap in an extended partition ( 3 primaries used so far )
- when all installs are done, create an extended partition in win or linux ( win is better since you can use the wizard ) and then create 2 logical drives in the extended partition that use FAT ( to allow linux read/write access, if you only need read, use NTFS )
- monkey with grub/lilo or your boot loader of choice to create an entry that allows you access to the HPA. Instructions at
http://thinkwiki.org/wiki/Installing_Ub ... T43_(1875)
cannot link since the URL has parentheses, note that the full URL includes everything up to the close parenthesis. This page might also give you some ideas on easier methods than this one.

[KK]

Thank you so much for you advice.
I forgot to tell you that I use Partition magic to create partition on my Hard Drive and the Drive D is Primary not logical.

Sorry.