Date: Tue, 01 Nov 2005 01:19:33 -0500 From: Ken Schutte <kschutte@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >I need to setup a dual boot system on my x40 Thinkpad laptop. I've done >it without problems before, but this time I have FC4 installed first, >and now want to add a Windows XP partition. On intial FC4 setup, I used >disk druid and kept some open space, then later used qtparted in knoppix >to create an NTFS partition. Currently fdisk -l shows: > >Disk /dev/hda: 40.0 GB, 40007761920 bytes >255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 4864 cylinders >Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes > > Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System >/dev/hda1 * 1 13 104391 83 Linux >/dev/hda2 14 3582 28667992+ 83 Linux >/dev/hda3 3583 3647 522112+ 82 Linux swap / Solaris >/dev/hda4 3648 4864 9775552+ 7 HPFS/NTFS > >When I try to boot from a Windows XP disc to install Windows, it quickly >flashes some text saying something like "please wait while checks your >system...", then the screen is blank and nothing happens and I have to >just reset. Should I be able to boot and install from a WinXP disc >given that partition table? > >Sorry if this it a bit of a windows question, but all these partions >were created in linux, so maybe somebody could help. > >Thanks! >Ken > > Try deleting your primary partition 4 (/dev/hda4) with something like fdisk and just leave the free space. Sometimes Windows barfs on NTFS-type partitions created by something non-Windows. It could be expecting it to be formatted already and it may not be (qtparted doesn't format it, IIRC) and the junk at the beginning makes the installer unhappy and comatose. Having just free space there might make the installer go into a different "fresh install" mode. Be prepared to have grub clobbered and read up on how to get it back or how to boot linux with the NTLoader. There is info on how to do this in various googlable HOWTOs. Also waiting a long time might solve your problem. It may just take a long, long, long time to "check your system". /Mike
