Linux Mint Forums

In step 4 of the installation you should have several partition methods to select from;

1. Use entire disk - Formats entire disk in ext3 and installs Mint using all available space (easiest for first time users)
2. Resize partition and use freed space - shrinks existing partition and installs Mint in recovered space while automatically setting up a dual boot with existing OS (usually Windows)
3 Use largest contiguous free space - similar to 2 but requires space to be freed up before beginning installation.
4 Manual - Advanced partitioning method for more experienced users. allows user to set custom partitions for root, home, swap, media, etc.

Choose one of these by clicking the proper radio button and click Forward. Your choice will be implemented and partitioning will be done automatically (except for manual).

For a detailed discussion of installation and partitioning, read this: http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=90&t=11872

To set up a multi-boot , the first thing is to reduce the size of Vista's C; drive , in order to make empty space for Linux installaation.
The safest way to reduce C; drive is to run Vista and find its Disk Management menu which will display the size of C: drive and allow you to set a smaller size, Vista always limits the amount of downsizing, usually only 33 percent or 50 percent. When you complete Vista's downsizing, then re-boot Vista first to allow it to check its file system. Only then you can boot your Linux installer and create Linux partitions of the empty space, preferably all as Logical partitions.

drumdan wrote:I have an IBM Lenovo 3000K desktop. I've had it with Vista and I'm ready to give Linux a try. After backing up all of my data, I attempted to install Mint 6. At step 4, there are no partitions listed. No buttons are enabled other than Quit, Back and Forward. I want to wipe the hard drive clean and start fresh. No dual boot. How can I make a partition available for the install?

If you want to wipe your hard drive clean there are two ways to do it. You can use a Vista disc if you have one. Just boot from the disk, select the repair option, at the DOS prompt window type these commands, pressing enter after each one:

diskpart

list disk

select disk ? ( ? is the disk number you get from list disk)

clean

The other way is to boot to the Mint Live CD then go to System -> Administration -> Partition Editor and delete all the partitions.

If you have a recovery partition installed you may want to keep that unless you are 100% sure that you want to dump Windows. If you're not sure don't use the "clean" method.

markcynt,

Actually, the two methods you cite only remove the registry entries for all data on the drive. To truly clean off a hard drive you need a utility like Derik's Boot and Nuke or Active Killdisk. Either of these (or any of a number of other choices) will overwrite all data and leave the drive loaded with all zeros.

Both of the programs I mentioned are available as free downloads from several sources. Just google "drive (or disk) erasers".

True, but it's simple, fast, and usually enough to get an install going. I usually delete the partitions, then clean using the Vista disc.

I would try that 1st. It it didn't work, then I'd go with the wipe.