Install linux Mint Alongside Xp vs. Manual Partitioning?

[Cordelly]

I was just wondering, will the automatic installer do most of the things the manual partitioning will do? Because all the posts I've seen regard manual partitioning, but is there any need for manual partitioning if I essentially just want LM as my primary OS with XP as a backup of sorts?

thx for the help

[veggen]

Well, the installer will ask if you want to create a partition and provide you with tools to do it. You need a partition to put Mint onto and whether you create it beforehand or during the installation doesn't really matter. The installer can't do this for you for obvious reasons. How would it know where to take space from, what file system to use etc.

[900i]

Auto install will detect winxp and ask if you want dual boot. Will allow you to resize winxp partition on a slider and make rest linuxmint. Easy as Peasy.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

[pszkraba]

I tried to install Mint 12 LXDE along side XP and I can't see any auto install options as per the other posts and manual. The only choices I get are "erase the entire disk and install Mint" and "Something else" (manual partition).

Am I missing something?

[900i]

http://www.muktware.com/man/1246

Try this.

[pszkraba]

I can't find the XP disks to do a re-install.

Does that mean that the XP is taking up the whole drive and there is no room to install Mint LXD?

[900i]

Windows will be on all the drive. You need to drag the slider from the right over to the left to resize the windows partition

[pszkraba]

Sorry, but drag what slider? I don't see any choice to do that on the installation?

[900i]

Sorry your having problems but I am afraid I'm going to have to pass on this as it's a bit beyond me. Sorry again

[veggen]

No need to be afraid of manual partitioning. It will offer you a very intuitive way to whatever you need to.
In broad terms, all you should do is cut of a chunk from an existing partition. You can then use it for mounting root ("/") and format it as ext4. All of this is quite intuitive and you learn in the process.
Also, leave a small separate piece (couple of GBs) for swap. This just means you should choose "swap" as file system when asked.
Of course, backup your stuff and pay attention, but this goes for the auto installer as well.