hello, i am in deep trouble... i need HELP! i was told that to install mandrake linux (over winxp home) i would need to use FDISK to delete all partitions etc etc. The instalation of linux wasn't working right. The computer screen just goes blank and the computer hangs with no activity. Anyway i was trying to delete all the partitions, but i cant seem to get rid of the "extended DOS partition". When i try to delete it it says that "logical drives exist". So i tried to delete the logical drives, but it says "no logical drives defined"... nothing works, i can install mandrake. My pc was store bought with winxp home preinstalled... please help me ive got 256mb sdram, amd athlon 1900+ add big_shing@hotmail.com if you like regards

Who told you to remove all the partitions on your drive before you install Mandrake? You're supposed to use Partition Magic to partition your drive so that your WinXP would still be intact! Then, you would install Mandrake on the second partition that you have just created. I hope you did not actually delete your WinXP partition with fdisk because if it is the case, you are toasted... Lawrence

i dont care about losing xp. all i want to be sure of is that if i get the cd for win2k ill be able to install right?

To remove the "extended" partition you must first delete the "logical" partition(s) within the extended partition

ive tried that but when i choose the option to delete the logical partitions it says "no logical partitions defined" does that not mean that there isnt any? so im not sure why it doenst let me delete the extended dos partition

d/l a M$ prog called "delpart.exe", it'll take out any & all partitions