No HD in Linux?

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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!

 

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

 

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!!!

 

OK, some new info. I rewired my PC so that all devices are on the standard IDE connectors and all my HDDs show up and mount and I can view files But I still cann ot install. I have another thread with the details here
>>> http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=59565 <<<
if anyone has any input on this. Thanx in advance,
Ray.