Hi there. What kind of file system does BeOS use? Will it work on FAT32? If not, what software can I use to make a BeOS partition (non-destructivly!) The thing is, I would like to install BeOS onto one of my HDDs, but I'd like to get a partition ready first. At the moment I am using LILO to boot either Windows ME, Mandrake Linux (KDE) or MS-DOS. Adding BeOS to the list would be great. I'm slightly dissapointed with Linux, which I installed a few days ago. It crashes a lot more than I expected and takes ages to load (longer than Windows!). It doesn't seem very professional - I get the impression it was patched together with superglue and then a pretty face stuck on it. I've found installing new software and changing the 'start' menu (K menu?) troublesome and time consuming. From what I've seen of BeOS from screenshots, it looks a lot neater a better designed.

Well, about the only way to make a BFS, BeFile system is to have BeOS loaded somehow. There are two ways to run BeOS. One is from a file that is on a Fat or NTFS file system. Better to use Fat. The other way is to use a dedicated partition. I have been told that it must use primary partitions but I have made so many different ways I couldn't tell you if that is true. I think that LiLO can be used to add a partition but you must be aware of what number the partition is and it might not be what you think. If you can get your hands on the BeOS Pro version the installer will do it for you. If you have a free personal edition you can install it to a new partition from a windows fat file install. What I mean is you can run BeOS from a file called image.be located on a fat partition. You will need a BeOS floopy boot disk since WindowsME doesn't support real dos. BeOS will load from dos if you have two files. Loadbeos.com and zbeos.

Thanks for your reply. I installed BeOS a few hours ago. It kicks Windoze and Linux up the backside anyday! It's a shame about Be being bought out, I hope the OpenBeOS succeeds.

Many people think BeOS is a better way to go. I am amazed that people just create program after program and post it on Bebits.com. I wish I was smart enough to do some of the things they do. The Open BeOS people should have no trouble now that the basic plan is set in place. It would be a lot easier if Palm Inc. were to open source the code. HEY! PALM!!! Listen up. Microsoft is trying to put you out of a job. If Palm open sourced the Be Operating system then even microsoft might be looking for a job porting apps to Open BeOS. Just a thought.

Some valid snetiments Jeff. The would be much more effective mailed to Palm or posted on one of the BeOS developer and ideas forums etc. etc.

): Ok, I will only complain at work then.

If you have a copy of BeOS Pro, you can make a BeOS partition. If you have a copy of Partition Magic, you can re-size the END of your existing partition and then create a new partition WITHOUT formating it. Then install BeOS on that. BeOS can install and boot from anwhere on the disk, including the end. You should allow about 1-2GB of space.