Install Mandrake 8 on dual boot system.

[Lmworld]

I plan to install the Linux Mandrake 8 on my system, currently my PC is dual boot with Win98 SE and W2K Pro. What i intend to do is create a Linux partition using the Partition Magic 5, then reboot the PC and make the CDROM as the first boot device, then it will boot the Linux Mandrake 8 installation screen. Next is to install the Mandrake 8 on the Linux partition.
Does all my above step is correct, any comment from the Linuxers? Your reply is much appreciated...

LM

[mairving]

How big a Linux partition do you plan on making? Mandrake is quite a hefty install. With everything installed it is about 1.2-1.5GB.

[Lmworld]

Thanks mairving! I already make a Linux partition, size is about 1.6GB. I have a doubt about the installation sequence, should i install Mandrake 8 first or the Win 98/Win2000 first, since now i'm dual with Win98 and Win2000 already. If i want to install the Mandrake 8 on my dual boot system, hows is the step? Can you provide me the information, thanks in advance!!

LM

[mairving]

Always install in this sequence:

*****Dual Boot*****
Windows --- Linux
*******************

*****Triple Boot*****
Windows 95/98/ME --- Windows NT/2000 --- Linux
*********************

Windows thinks it is the only thing that you would ever need to have on your system so it overwrites the boot record every time.

[Lmworld]

Since i already created the Linux partition, below is the installation step that i thinking, please correct me if any mistake :-

-Put the Mandrake 8 CD into CDROM, reboot the computer
-Go into BIOS and change the first boot device to CDROM
-CDROM will boot the Mandrake 8 CD, setup screen will appear.
-Setup will locate/find the Linux partition and continue the installation.

And i want to know hows to LILO will be install, will it be automatically install when setup or i have to do some additional step to install it, thanks again...

LM

[mairving]

Originally posted by Lmworld Since i already created the Linux partition, below is the installation step that i thinking, please correct me if any mistake :- -Put the Mandrake 8 CD into CDROM, reboot the computer -Go into BIOS and change the first boot device to CDROM -CDROM will boot the Mandrake 8 CD, setup screen will appear. -Setup will locate/find the Linux partition and continue the installation. And i want to know hows to LILO will be install, will it be automatically install when setup or i have to do some additional step to install it, thanks again... LM

Yes, you put the CD in, reboot the computer. Change the boot sequence to CD-ROM. Setup screen appears. Setup will put the Linux install wherever you tell it. If you tell it to put it on the Windows partition, it will. Just select the Linux partition and click the autoallocate button.

Mandrake, unless you select expert install, will install lilo in your mbr. Make sure that you do make a Linux boot disk, in case of problems.

[Lmworld]

As you say, the Linux installation will autoallocate the partition. And since i want to choose the OS when my computer startup, so i cannot select the Expert Install, coz it will corrupt my current MBR. Now my doubt is if i choose another install option, then will the LILO install in other place, or will the Windows 2000 boot loader take over the OS selection screen?

LM

[mairving]

The Windows 2000 bootloader will not work. It only recognizes Windows partitions (since MS thinks they are the only ones out there). Lilo will overwrite your mbr but this is okay. It is not going to corrupt your mbr, just add lilo to it (shall we say un-corrupt it). You can select the expert install but you will have a lot more decisions to make. If something horrible goes wrong, you should be able to boot to a Windows boot disk and type in [b]fdisk /mbr[/i]. This will bring back the Windows 2000 bootup.

I would do this:

• Boot off of CD
• Selected recommended install
• Set up your partitions, you can use auto-allocate or you can create them yourself. Mandrake is pretty good about helping you with that.
• Select what programs that you want installed.
• Then you wait while it installs the OS. You will then add users and set up networking.
• Configure Lilo is about the last step before rebooting.

[Lmworld]

Ok, this is what i did the Linux Caldera 2.4 on my dual boot system:

-Put in the CD
-Reboot the system and make CDROM as first boot device
-Setup screen appear, choose the recommended installation method
-Configure the mouse/keyboard/time zone, etc...

When it ask me whether want to write the boot loader into my MBR, i choose NO. After that, setup complete. System reboot itself, then comes the W2k boot loader, here is the problem, I CANNOT SEE THE LINUX CALDERA INTO THE BOOT LOADER LIST, only Win98 and Win 2000! Now i really don't know how to make it appear into my OS selection list. Please help!!

Note: I cannot see any LILO setup screen appear until the setup completed.

[lynchmob]

If you made the Linux boot floppy,stick it in the floppy drive and see what happens.It should boot into Linux.(Mairving or Statica can then explain how to fix it.)
lynch

[Statica]

You need to install a bootloader (any bootloader .. like LILO) to the MBR otherwise there is no use for it.
Do you have a bootdisk?
If you do, boot to Linux.
type: /sbin/lilo

Whence that is done, open up your gui and go to linuxconf and adjust the settings of your lilo to boot the OS' that you need.

If not you need to manually edit out the file /etc/lilo.conf to suit your needs of OS. It should be able to detect out your OS' without manual edits but if it doesnt post here.

Cheers

[Lmworld]

Thanks Statica! Actually now i only can see the UNIX prompt only, totally cannot see the GUI screen, do i have to configure any X server or X WIndows? Please guide, thanks!!

LM

[mairving]

Did you setup X-windows on installation? More than likely you did with Mandrake. Try startx or in Mandrake just x will get you to the desktop.

[Lmworld]

Thanks mairving! When i type 'Startx' command, nothing is happen, the screen just flash once, then it go back to the prompt again. But the 'X' command i haven't try yet. By the way, you say it works in Mandrake, but mine is Caldera, can it works also? Thanks 4 the reply..

LM

[Statica]

To setup your X server type: Xconfigurator

[Lmworld]

I have try 'Xconfigurator' also, but it says that 'No such command' or just give the error only. Anything i can try? thanks..

LM

[lynchmob]

Log on as root and try again.Also try XF86config and be sure to have your video card and monitor info.
lynch

[Lmworld]

Thanks lynchmob! I'll try that later on, hopes it can works OK, thanks again...

LM