installing a dual-boot, XP PRO and linux

[Byan]

I just got a new hard drive, a WD 80GB and I also my old 60G samsung. First thing I need to do is set up my partitions..

I have first a 30G or so NTFS for windows..., then I have a 40G or so FAT32 for misc files, then I have a 10G FAT32(or should is be one of these linux type partitions..) for linux..
will 10G be enough?
the 60G will be another FAT32..

I have also heard about this Linux Swap partition which is suppost to be like your Page file..., it is suppost to be twice your memory.., i just dont know if there is a certian place that it needs to be put inside of HDD...

I dont know exactly which distro I will be using yet.., I have the first 2 Debian CDs, Disk 1 and 'vinalla'; I think I can get SUSE from a friend.., which is what I really want to do..; I also can probule get mandrake...

so far most of it is pretty easy, I only need a few blanks filled in.., but now for the hard part..., the booter..
for the most part I have heard all about LILO and GRUB.., really dont know much about them except they are third party booters and the configuration file examples look kinda intimidating...

it has been really hard to find documentation about LILO or GRUB so I was hoping that someone here could really walk me through what I need to do in that department...

That is for the most part what I know so far..

Thanx in advanced,
Byan

[jmtjet]

I have to offer a word of caution. If your XP partition is NTFS you could have a problem with the Linux boot loaders(grub or LiLo) Linux does not like the NTFS and may not "see" your Windows XP partition at boot up. I ran into this with Windows 2K pro. I finally gave up trying to fix it and re-installed Win 2K. I had all important data backed up, so my only loss was time.
Do your home work so you'll get the boot loader right.
I got around this by installing a Trois harddrive selector switch and set up one harddrive for Linux(SuSE 9.0)and the other for my Windows 2K. I,also have a third harddrive installed(the switch will handle 3)and use that one to play around with other Linux distros.

[Byan]

well.., how does the switch work?
is it a Hardware switch or a software switch..
I suppose that I can just put linux on the other drive..., that'll work..

thanx again,
Byan

[jmtjet]

Here's some reads on the switch:

http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTk3

http://www.technoyard.com/hardware/m...os/page_1.html

http://www.hothardware.com/hh_files/CCAM/trios.shtml

Some data on the newer version; Trios II

http://www.techadvice.com/info/item....=678&iid=21175

http://www.i4u.com/modules.php?name=...=print&sid=360

http://linuxcentral.com/catalog/inde..._code=H000-013

Hope this helps you decide.

[ONEderer]

On my system I have Windows XP Pro, on an NTFS file system. I have Mandrake 9.2 Linux on a separate drive. The boot loader is Lilo, and I have no problems with the setup.

When the computer starts, a Lilo menu shows up to give me the choice of the operating system that I want to use. If I don't do anything, it will automatically time out and default to load Windows XP. If I choose Linux, it will proceed to load Mandrake Linux.

Mandrake can read NTFS files, but cannot write to them. I've experienced no problems with that. And, Mandrake can read/write Fat32 file systems.

When you install Mandrake, the last part of the installation will be to ask you where you want to install your boot loader, and then it does it automatically. It will also invite you to create an emergency BOOT DISK, in case that your Lilo menu should ever get written over by mistake. This way you can still access Linux, to correct the problem.

You really don't have to jump through hoops to make this happen. The whole process is pretty much painless and automatic. Mandrake also has a nice easy graphical utility to partition your hard drive(s). This way, you can install Linux on the same hard drive as Windows, if that is what you desire.

[Byan]

thanx.., I thought I was going to have to put in a bunch of config stuff.., I see all these configuration files all over..

I am still awaiting my copy of SuSE but when I get it I'll let you know how to goes.., I think if I dont get it by monday I am going to buy one off ebay for $6 including shipping...

thanx again,
Byan

[ONEderer]

If you have enough disk space, you are not limited to only one additional OS installation. LiLo will support as many (to a limit) OS's that you may want to install. So if you want to install an additional version of Linux to try out, that is possible to do. You simply have to go to the LiLo of the first Linux OS that you installed, and make it aware that an additional OS has been installed.