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I want to install Fedora 20 from a full DVD (not live) on a new computer, with as much software as I can; so, during the set up for the installation, I tick all the repositories offered and then find that I need more space than is available. The machine was partitioned by the vendor, and Windows XP3 installed, so I will use a dual boot. I think the partitions he left me with are biased by his disdain for, or ignorance of, Linux.

I include a picture of the partitions from Windows on this machine; the C: partition is only 5% full, so it should cover the little I will use it for. So my question is: please, how do I make the rest available for Linux? I don't fully understand the jargon around partitions, in Linux or Windows, so I am extremely nervous about getting it wrong and losing Windows entirely. Needless to say I have aborted all my attempts at installing F20 so far.

It may be that I could use the repositories on the DVD after installation, but would I not then come up against the same space problem?

(Following on from @Anthon's comment) If, in Windows, I delete partitions E: and F: ( I have no data on them), will that affect my use of the Linux and Windows in the remaining partitions, until I install a new Fedora in place of the existing one, and then will the deleted partitions be automatically be included into Linux? How will I recognise them, if necessary, in the list during installation? Please forgive my fussy ignorance, I always get to a point in an attempt at installation, where there is something that I do not understand, even with the help of the installation instructions viewed on my laptop, and have to abort and start again, so I want to be fully prepared for these dangerous actions.

Windows partions

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  • Is the title a typo asking about F12?
    – slm
    Mar 12, 2014 at 20:38
  • I wonder why your question is about Fedora 12.
    – enedil
    Mar 12, 2014 at 20:50

1 Answer 1

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Since partition E: is, and partition and F: is almost empty, you should (under Windows) move what data you need that is on F: to C: and then delete the E: and F: partitions.

That way you create space for a 350Gb+ partition for Linux, which I think should be enough for any DVD install.

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  • Thank you Anthon, I will do that, but I would please like reassurance as asked in my newly edited question. Mar 13, 2014 at 19:02
  • Sorry, I did not realise that my comment would come up before I finished editing the question. Thank you for your close attention to my problem, very much appreciated. Mar 13, 2014 at 19:20
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    @HarryWeston I am not familiar with the F20 installer. I am used to Ubuntu asking me if I want the whole disk, or just the free space or do a manual install. I invariably install manually, which means I know exactly which partitions I delete, then I create the partitions I need and let the system install.
    – Anthon
    Mar 13, 2014 at 19:21
  • Thanks again, I will do more research, try another install, and maybe come back again if I have to. Mar 13, 2014 at 19:24
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    You partitioning program probably talks about /dev/sda1, /dev/sda3 and /dev/sda4 which should be C:, D: and E: respectively (not 100% sure, this is based on the layout Windows provide, check the sizes and compare them with those in your image, before deleting/installing anything). Do you have a 500Gb+ drive on which you could do a backup first?
    – Anthon
    Mar 13, 2014 at 19:30

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