Partition scheme for new installation with two hard drives

[andrewrmunro]

My computer has two physical hard drives. I currently have Windows 7 installed and am trying to install Mint. I use one hard drive (C:) for running window 7 and the other hard drive (D:) for data backup. I would like to keep the D: for data back as it is. How should I go about setting up the partition to install Mint? Do I make a partition of the C: drive for where Linux will go? My goal is to be able to dual boot Windows or Linux while still having a data backup drive.
Thanks!!!

[remoulder]

How should I go about setting up the partition

You don't need to do anything other than boot from the live disc and run the installer. It should give you the option to install alongside Windows and do all the partitioning for you. You can adjust things afterwards if required. The 2nd drive shouldn't be touched as long as you ensure the first drive is selected (you won't get the option to install alongside if not).

[RETNUH]

If you don't want to mess with the back up HDD then don't.

You will need at the least two partitions on your main HDD(the Windows recovery is on the other, yes?), Your W7 partition and Mint. You may also want a /home partition as this makes it easier to upgrade to a new version of Mint when the time comes. Also there is the matter of a swap partition. If you use hibernation you will need it. It is generally advised to have one regardless as there are a few instances where Linux expects there to be a swap. Some people don't use one and have no issues though. If you do create a swap 1.5*RAM is sufficient, though some say 2*RAM.

You can do the partitions yourself or the installer can do it for you. I'm not sure if the installer can make a separate /home though.

I would go with partitions like this

• W7
• Mint
• /home
• swap