partitioning HD for 3 linux distros

MystKid · 2011-01-25 19:36:48

hello guys i am new to linux and i am testing out some distros. i was wonderign if it is possible to partition the hd with more than 4 primary partitions. i cant find a way to be able to isntall 3 os's on the same hd. i checked the cfdisk optins and i see something like logical partitions but i dont understand how to partition the HD. thank you

Inxsible · 2011-01-25 19:42:25

yes, create extended partitions and use them to install linux in. Windows needs primary partitions to install. Linux doesn't.

Google "extended partitions" for more info. You need to re-search a lot before you can partition. Also have a look at GParted Live.

jasonwryan · 2011-01-25 19:45:36

You need to look at LVM https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Lvm

For an overview of partitoning, including your question about primary partitons:
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Beginners'_Guide#Partition_Hard_Drives

skodabenz · 2011-01-25 19:52:13

IMO extended partitions are a ugly hack. Since the logical partitions are stored in a linked list structure, it is not safe to use logical partitions. Since you plan to use 3 distros, you will need many logical partitions (min 3) to accomodate them. If you do not use Windows or do not plan to use in the future change over to GPT https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/GU … tion_Table .

MystKid · 2011-01-25 21:03:34

i do not use windows at all... so with gpt i can have more than 4 primary partitions? i dont understand how to do it with cfdisk tho

Awebb · 2011-01-25 21:55:53

skodabenz wrote:

IMO extended partitions are a ugly hack. Since the logical partitions are stored in a linked list structure, it is not safe to use logical partitions.

I never had any issues with logical partitions. Can you provide more info about that?

skodabenz · 2011-01-26 05:42:52

Awebb wrote:

skodabenz wrote:
IMO extended partitions are a ugly hack. Since the logical partitions are stored in a linked list structure, it is not safe to use logical partitions.
I never had any issues with logical partitions. Can you provide more info about that?

See http://rodsbooks.com/gdisk/whatsgpt.html . Many non-standard partitioning tools (non-parted and non-fdisk based - Windows based etc.) screw up logical partition.

Arch Linux

#1 2011-01-25 19:36:48

partitioning HD for 3 linux distros

#2 2011-01-25 19:42:25

Re: partitioning HD for 3 linux distros

#3 2011-01-25 19:45:36

Re: partitioning HD for 3 linux distros

#4 2011-01-25 19:52:13

Re: partitioning HD for 3 linux distros

#5 2011-01-25 21:03:34

Re: partitioning HD for 3 linux distros

#6 2011-01-25 21:55:53

Re: partitioning HD for 3 linux distros

#7 2011-01-26 05:42:52

Re: partitioning HD for 3 linux distros

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