Before installing Linux: VMware and partitioning

Hello,
In the attached image, you will see how I partitioned my 2 disks several years ago, with PartitionMagic8. Basically, Windows XP is in C: on Disk 1, the swap file and the programs are on disk 2, respectively in D: and E:. Since I have AutoCAD, I need to create a virtual machine. I saw that there's a tutorial on this site, but do you think it's possible with my current configuration? Or should I try to merge C, D and E first? The swap file isn't a problem but I have no idea how to proceed for E, though.

Once this VM is created, what are your recommendations to set up Linux? I'm inclined to go for SimplyMEPIS or PCLinuxOS. I will need an NTFS partition for AutoCAD (and possibly Photoshop) and of course I want to migrate my other partitions F: (data), G: (photos) and K: (music and video).

Any suggestion really appreciated, I'm completely new to Linux.
Best Regards,
Tecehen
PS: I came across this http://www.techsupportalert.com/review-linux-for-windows-users.htm a while ago, worth reading

 

Are you referring to this tutorial? http://www.howtoforge.com/vmware_converter_windows_linux

I think (but I'm not sure) that it converts all your partitions to a vm; that should solve your problem.

 

More questions

Falko,

Yes I was referring to the tutorial you mentioned. It is said there to create the VM on a network disk attached to the Linux system. However I don't have this config yet, since I will install Linux on my current XP machine. So the questions:

• Where do I store the virtual machine?
• How do I partition my disks in order to install Linux?
• Which distribution do I try? I would like to import the maximum of my XP environment but may need to run an XP program, from time to time...

I was going to try SimplyMEPIS or PCLinuxOS...
Thanks,
Tecehen

 

• 
  Don't you have any other PC in your network where you can store the virtual machine? A USB HDD would do as well.
  
  
  Normally you can accept the default partitioning scheme that most Linux installers present you.
  

I'd go for Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon.

 

Linux partitioning

Falko,

Thanks for your reply. I do have an external USB HDD, I hadn't thought of using it. Could I burn the virtual machine on a CD, though? I also have a laptop but don't have a home network.

Regarding my disks, I've already read in one tutorial that I can accept the default partitioning. But is that efficient ? Will I be able to convert my existing XP partitions without losing data? Wouldn't it be better to create a Linux one at the beginning of disk 1 for the system and programs (want to be able to backup it in one go, which I can hardly do with my current config ), and move my other partitions on disk 2...

And also, why do you suggest Ubuntu, not Kubuntu or the distros I mentioned? Actually I was hinted to them by "Briard" (see here).

Thanks in advance for your patience ,
Tecehen

 

You can burn it onto a CD or DVD, but you must create it first (you cannot burn it while it's being created).

There's a misunderstanding, I think. I guess you somehow think that your Linux partitioning must somehow be related to your XP partitioning. If you run XP in a virtual machine, this has nothing to do with your Linux partitioning.

I use Ubuntu because it's based on Debian and therefore has the best package manager (apt), plus I like GNOME better than KDE. If you like KDE more, then of course you can use Kubuntu.