Pixel,

> It should not choke on multiple primary partitions, only multiple main
> extended partitions.

They looked like primary partitions, but I'm probably wrong (didn't realize 
that it made a difference, at the time.)  In the meantime, I've discovered 
that my external usb hd (which has some Very Funky partitioning) was at least 
part of the problem.  Would it be possible (and useful) to give diskdrake the 
ability to ignore disks who's partitioning it doesn't understand (assuming 
multiple drives and warning the user)?

Basically, to get MDK installed, I had to scrub hda, and disconnected hdb and 
the usb drive.  Following the advice of a helpful fellow on IRC, (per 
Murray's advice ;-) I created an empty extended partition.  This seems to 
have worked well.  I have no idea how diskdrake handles the situation of 
existing primary + existing extended + free space, but I'd suggest that it 
should not create partitioning that it can't handle on a re-install.  (Of 
course you could argue that people, like me, who mangle their disks with 
things like Partition Magic deserve what they get...)

> > (haven't checked to see if windows still boots, but it'd be a small
> > loss.)

Still haven't checked to see if windows will boot... :)

> well, the exact error given by diskdrake would help (find it at install on
> console 3)

I'm pretty sure (from memory) the message was actually "ask_before_blanking". 
 It just kept popping up, every time I clicked OK.

> the partition tables would help too.

The partitioning that caused this is gone, at least from hda.  I'll try the 
install again and see if it chokes with hdb plugged in.  If so, I'll post it 
and anything from console 3.  If you're interested in the notebook's 
partitions (the one that was reported as 30+gig, when it's only 20gig) they 
are still intact and I can post them as well.  (It and the CD's are at work 
or I'd do it now...)

Thanks,
-Jason

=========================
You couldn't say, 'I had orders.' You couldn't say, 'It's not fair.' No one 
was listening. There were no Words. You owned yourself.
...
Not Thou Shalt Not. Say I Will Not.
(Feet of Clay)


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