SOLVED_Installing PCLinuxOS to new HDD

[denregan54]

I am very much a linux newbie and I would appreciate advice.
My computer has 3 hard drives. I have added the 3rd drive ( 1TB Western Digital ) recently and it has 2 Windows partitions on it ( they are a clone of the C drive.) The remaining space is shown as 'Freespace' and totals 465.74GB.
I would like to install PClinuxOS in this free space. The PC is running Windows7. Once installed I would like to dual-boot the operating systems.
I have the PClinux CD and am hoping to install from the live disk. I find the options available rather baffling and I would be grateful for being pointed in the right direction.

edit: title change to mixed case to conform with our 'no shouting' policy.

forum rules can be found here:

http://www.pclinuxos.com/forum/index.php/topic,2401.0.html

[uncleV]

Welcome, denregan54.

"I have the PClinux CD and am hoping to install from the live disk. I find the options available rather baffling and I would be grateful for being pointed in the right direction."

So would you describe what can't you understand?

I didn't look at the last PCLOS 2010.12 LiveCD but I suppose there's installing option like "Use a free space". As far as I remember you have to pick the hard drive there too.
May be you make a screenshot (press PrintScreen button) of the installation window and post it here with your questions?

[menotu]

In addition to uncleV's post, a further option is to choose the "Custom" one - that allows you to choose the HDD/partition you want PCLinuxOS installed on.

There are various permutations of how many partitions can/should be used but a fairly safe and often used one is:

/  root partition - this is where the "core" of the Linux OS is installed

swap  a partition where "virtual memory" is used (2 x the size of your RAM Memory is often used)

/home home partition - this can be "kept" in the event a reinstall needs to take place - /home holds lots of your "local" docs/music/video's etc along with a lot of your settings

[denregan54]

My thanks to menotu & uncleV for your responses; it is much appreciated.
Having posted my query yesterday, I went back and looked again at installation.
I elected to go for 'install in freespace' option. Everything went very well and I am delighted; looking forward to getting to know PClinuxOS better. I have played with other distros in the past but I have to say that this looks the best and most user-friendly. It is great to know that the OS is backed up with such a helpful forum
Thanks again !

[menotu]

My thanks to menotu & uncleV for your responses; it is much appreciated.
Having posted my query yesterday, I went back and looked again at installation.
I elected to go for 'install in freespace' option. Everything went very well and I am delighted; looking forward to getting to know PClinuxOS better. I have played with other distros in the past but I have to say that this looks the best and most user-friendly. It is great to know that the OS is backed up with such a helpful forum
Thanks again !

Wonderful news - its great when it all works out as hoped.

Now you can have some fun 

[uncleV]

Congrats!

If you edit the title of the first post the thread will show as Solved.

[denregan54]

Many thanks !