Since you want the Linux installation to be bootable, you will need to
install it on a primary partition. You should have a choice of several
formats to use - check which is best for the version of Linux you are
planning install. DO NOT FORMAT the drive using XP - do the PARTITIONING and
formatting using the Linux install procedure. It is best that way.

The native format for XP is NTFS. There are a number of utilities now that
will allow Linux to access (read) an NTFS partition, but I am not aware of
it being able to write to NTFS. If all you want is to transfer files from
NTFS to your new Linux install, there should not be a problem. You can boot
to Linux and then read the info on your XP drive.

Although I have taught UNIX/Linux, and have used it quite a bit, I have not
kept up with what is currently happening (been away for a couple of years).
Others on the list may give you some helpful pointers as to how best to
proceed.

Peter
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-----Original Message-----
I need advice about formating a new slave HD on my system.  The situation's
not quite that clear-cut though.

Background info:

My Master Hard Drive currently has WIN XP loaded on it, that's my operating
system for now.

On my new Slave Hard Drive I want to install a distribution of GNU-LINUX, in
order to learn it.

Once I am comfortable using the new OS, I will wipe clean the Master Hard
Drive and install LINUX on it as my new OS.

I also want to move a lot of files (not programs) to the new hard drive now,
in anticipation of my formating the main HD.

Greg P.

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