Partitioning and installation problems on Vista+Ubuntu+Leopard triple boot

[Mistachie777]

I recently acquired the Kalyway 10.5.1 DVD and have been trying unsuccessfully to install it since then. Here are my computer specs:

 

Acer Aspire 5610

Intel Core Duo 1.86 Ghz

160 GB SATA hard drive

2048 MB RAM

 

My hard drive is partitioned like this:

70 GB NTFS Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit

47 GB NTFS storage partition

25 GB JFS Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon

 

I first tried to use Acronis Disk Director to split the 47 GB partition into a 25 GB partition for Leopard and leave the other 22 GB for storage, however, it gave me an error that my "partition configuration had changed" (probably because of the Linux partiton). So I went into Ubuntu and split it there, instead formatting the 25 GB as FAT32. Ubuntu wouldn't let me make 4 primary partitions, so I left the other 22 GB unallocated.

 

Finally, I booted off of the Kalyway disk. The 25 GB partition shows up on the list of locations to install Leopard, but if I try to install it on the partition without formatting it beforehand, it eventually stops with an error about the installer being unable to install some files to the partition. I am guessing it's because I'm trying to install Leopard to a FAT32 volume. If try to format the 25 GB as HFS+ with Disk Utility, it erases but then still reports the volume as being formatted in FAT32. If I try to "Erase Free Space" it gives me an error that it "could not create temporary file". I should also note that I tried to make the 25 GB partition into an "unformatted" partition in Ubuntu, but Disk Utility can't read it and it doesn't show up on the list of available partitions. I also attached the installer log, if that's any help.

 

The last thing I need to explain is that I extracted the .iso using WinRAR and burned it to a DVD-RW. I don't know if that helps, but I've seen some posts about problems with bad disks. However, I have never had any problems actually booting off of the DVD.

 

I do not have any other hard drives or computers that can run Leopard, so I basically have to make this a triple boot. My Vista install is OEM so I can't exactly remove it either. I'd really appreciate some help with this because I've just about run out of options. Thanks in advance.

Installer_Log_4_Feb_2008.txt

[sh0td0wn]

I don't know if this is possible but I think it might work:

 

First, wipe all the partitions clean.

Like nothing.. and get a spare PC/Mac with net access.

 

Hmm, go to 'Disk Utility' from the DVD and make MBR partition table and three or four partitions. The first one will be for OSX. Install OSX on the second or third partition (HFS+) after Windows. (Possible?) Then install Windows on first one (FAT32 set in Disk Utility). Then the third partition with Ubuntu (ext2). Lastly fourth with FAT32 so that all OSes can access it.

 

Hope it helps.

[Mistachie777]

Well, that's a great idea except that I can't really wipe out all of my partitions. I currently have Linux and Windows installed and they are both actively used for school purposes. My computer is the only one I have which can run Leopard, and it's a laptop so I can't add any more hard drives. I also don't have the resources to acquire any more external or internal hard drives. So basically I'm stuck with what I've got. If wiping the whole hard drive is the only solution, then I probably won't be able to install Leopard. But I get the feeling there has to be another way. Thanks for the advice so far.

[Mistachie777]

I know this is a major bump but I have tried every trick in the book and none of them have worked. Does anybody have an idea? Remember, I don't have ANY other hard disks and I cannot wipe the hard drive I'm currently using. I do need to ask, does the partition have to be at the end of the disk? Because mine is not.