No HD in Linux?

[RayDunne]

I am running MEPIS - 3.3 from CD and cannot see my HDs. I have both of my CD devices and my floppy, but I have 2 Physical HDs and I cannot see either. This is my first experience with Linux so bear with me please. Do I have to install it to get access to them, or is something not configured? Any advice will be appreciated

[g1lgam3sh]

When you come to install it will ask where you would like to put the partitions.

[RayDunne]

Do I need to format a partition first? Here's the scoop: I have 2 HDs, 1- 4GB(C: ) and 1- 30GB split in 3(D:,E:,F: ) I have Win 98 on C: and WinXP Pro on D:. I have E: full of music and not much on F:. Can I install to F: without messing with WinXP or my music on E:? I have asked a few people this question and have not had a clear answer. One said I had to reformat the whole 30GB disk and re-install everything I own! I am not into doing that, I would rather buy another HD in the future for Linux if that is the case. Another said to use Partition Magic to create a new partition for Linux, but didn't answer about keeping the rest of my data the way it is, and I am not buying PM anyway! And another user had a sugg. but didn't make sense and was complicated anyway. So that is where I am at, any suggestions would be helpful I want to try Linux, but not at the expense of my current "comfort zone", at least for now, maybe when cashflow warrants, I will give er another go, if I can't have it the way I want now.

[Robster12]

Okay, Ray, see if this link here helps you to see the hard drives while running the live cd:

http://www.mepis.org/node/1848


Be advised, that an install is always risky if there is data on the harddrive that you do not want to lose! There is always a chance of something going down bad. Been there, done that!

:D

[RayDunne]

OK then, what is the best way to backup data? I tried MS Backup Utility, but it won't work for me because it only allows 4GB backup and mine is close to 7GB. I also D/Led Karen's Replicator, but that just copies the info and it takes too long for my wireless network to handle as it fades once in a while if the other PC isn't in use and I wouldn't know what to do with the data it creates anyway. I have heard of imaging, but don't think I have any software to do this and funds are low at the moment So if I can find a way to backup my stuff so that I can reload in case of catastrophic event, I'd be happy :D

[RayDunne]

That link did not help, I must not have the same setup or something as I have no "removable drives" icon on my desktop. I have seperate icons:cdrom1, cdrom2, floppy, and a hard disk icon. when I click the HD icon, i get errors. Any ideas, suggestions??? Please help, I want to try Linux!!!