Question

Procedure for installing Linux and Win?

Asked by: InGearX

Procedure for installing Linux and Win?

I have a 40GB laptop HD, and want to install Linux and Win XP (at first Win XP will host Linux OS, any software you can recommend?)

So I have a few questions:
1) What should be the procedure for going about this?
Format the drive, split it into two 20/20GB partitions, install Win XP on one, Linux on another?

2) When partitioning HD, what about the boot sectors? I'm thinking of using Partition Magic?

3) What software should I use for selecting which OS to boot into?

4) What software should I use once in XP to host Linux?

Since I have never done this before, any tips, tricks, suggestions that could save me time, effort are much appreciated...

Thank you...

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Asked On
2005-01-22 at 07:58:12ID21284451
Tags

install

,

linux

,

os

,

procedure

Topic

Linux Setup

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Answers

 

by: arantiusPosted on 2005-01-22 at 08:03:28ID: 13110814

> at first Win XP will host Linux OS, any software you can recommend?
Cooperative linux, http://www.colinux.org/

1) Yes, but be sure to do windows first.  If you do it second, it will screw up your ability to boot linux.
2) Any modern linux distribution should handle this itself, as long as you install it second.
3) I like grub.  Again, a decent linux distro should include instructions about this in their documentation.  I know gentoo ( http://www.gentoo.org/) does, and I like gentoo a lot.
4) Answered above.

 

by: wesly_chenPosted on 2005-01-22 at 08:33:11ID: 13110932

Hi,

   If you are talking run XP and Linux at the same machine at the same time, then
I've answered you on your another question: VMware or Virtual PC.
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Operating_Systems/Linux/Q_21284444.html

   If for dual boot, then the answer for your question:
1. Split it into two 20/20GB partitions, install Win XP on one, Linux on another.
2. Install XP first, Linux later. Most recently released Linux will handle the boot sector.
3. Most recently released Linux are shipped with Grub (Mandrake use LILO by default).
    Grub or LILO are boot loader for selecting which OS to boot.
4. VMware or Virtual PC. But this is not DUAL BOOT.

  If you just want run both OSs at the same time, then forget about the dual boot and the 4 answers.
Your 4 questions seem ask about the dual boot.

Regards,

Wesly

 

by: attraxionPosted on 2005-02-21 at 01:27:28ID: 13361107

Hi, me too newbie, but I have got something two cents worth .... here goes...

as far as setup hassles are concerned, I find Red Hat (esp. version 9 and Fedora) to be the most hassle-free Linux distro around. It has grub included in it, and works flawlessly for most beginning users.

The partition of your drive would depend, in my view, to your proposed proportional use of the two OSs. I personally do a lot of work in windows and comparatively less in Linux, so my partition goes like 28 GB windows and 12 GB RH Linux.

I believe most of the dual-use systems are there in the two OSs, so you should avoid needless use of extra software like partition magic and all (makes localisation of problems difficult)... just use windows setup to format your drive, partition it, and install windows in your intended space.

Then run Linux setup (I assume you are using RedHat) and let Disk Druid do the partitioning for you. Select the option of "use free space on hard drive" in Disk Druid, it will make the partitions for you.

If you want windows to load at first, then install grub on the "first sector of boot partition" and then you can reconfigure your boot.ini file in windows to add linux to it. However, remember to create a boot disk.

regards,
attraxion.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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