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MaXimum SMOKE · 04-27-2002, 08:16 PM

I use a separate drive for my linux install. Generally I set up the partitions on it, 'hdb' as /boot (small linux native partition) , swap (linux swap about 250 meg or so) and the rest goes / (root for the balance space linux native) lilo or grub is installed on the Master Boot Record of the primary drive hda, and yes the bootloader runs first and allows you to select the os to boot. Generally there is a time-out if you do not choose the alternate os and the default OS will then boot. All the distros I have used, set Linux as the default. If you want the default to be Windows you have to configure it in the Boot Mgr setup for your linux distro. I have never used XP, personally. I don't know how XP and it's 'big brother' hardware monitoring treats changes to the MBR. By the way it is pretty easy to use up 2 gig with a common linux install, if you choose a lot of the options. They give you a lot of software. If you're just experimenting with the OS, there is a lot of things like 'Server' software, that you can do without installing. Just my 2 cents. Of course all the "Back Up Your Data", before messing with your MBR warnings apply here as usual.

04-27-2002, 08:16 PM	#3
MaXimum SMOKE Member (8 bit) Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 229	I use a separate drive for my linux install. Generally I set up the partitions on it, 'hdb' as /boot (small linux native partition) , swap (linux swap about 250 meg or so) and the rest goes / (root for the balance space linux native) lilo or grub is installed on the Master Boot Record of the primary drive hda, and yes the bootloader runs first and allows you to select the os to boot. Generally there is a time-out if you do not choose the alternate os and the default OS will then boot. All the distros I have used, set Linux as the default. If you want the default to be Windows you have to configure it in the Boot Mgr setup for your linux distro. I have never used XP, personally. I don't know how XP and it's 'big brother' hardware monitoring treats changes to the MBR. By the way it is pretty easy to use up 2 gig with a common linux install, if you choose a lot of the options. They give you a lot of software. If you're just experimenting with the OS, there is a lot of things like 'Server' software, that you can do without installing. Just my 2 cents. Of course all the "Back Up Your Data", before messing with your MBR warnings apply here as usual. Last edited by MaXimum SMOKE; 04-27-2002 at 08:58 PM.