Linux/XP question.

[Orcmonkey]

Is it possible to dual boot linux and XP Pro, (i assume yes) when XP is installed first? I ran into problems trying to install 98 on a FAT32 partiton over XP, but XP install fine go over 98. I hope my wording wasn't too confusing.

[OOPS!]

Yep, should work fine. I don't use XP, but posts I've seen else where indicate that the install sequence is Win9x, then Linux, and XP last, and using XP's boot loader to control OS selection works best. Though I would think that LiLo or GRUB should do as well.

Your 98 install failed because XP formats to the NTFS file system, and once done, you can't go back without running FDisk to remove the non-FAT32 partions.

Hope this helps you out,

OOPS!

[Orcmonkey]

So should I partition the disk before installing the Linux OS? What file system?

[OOPS!]

If it was me, I would FDisk the whole drive and format it to FAT32 because both OS's will easily see it and be able to work with it. Linux can see NTSF and read and write to it ( plus about 30 others ). I don't think that XP can read the ext2 file system. You can leave the disk as 1 partion, then diviy it up when you install your OS's. Plan using at least 3gigs for Linux (you can load the kernel off a floopy, but depending on your distro, you will have literally 1000's of programs to choose from. So leave room to play).

OOPS!

[Orcmonkey]

I'm still a little confused on whether or not I can install mandrake while I have XP installed (on a second partition.) Would it be best to reformat everything, install linux, and then XP? I'd rather not do that, since I've had to reformat/install XP Pro 4 times in the last month and a half (long story...)

[OOPS!]

You can certainly do it that way. Mandy will ask you what partion you want to install to. The install GUI will show you all available drives. You just need to pick the partions that you want it on. Then you just need to partion the drive out for Mandy. I recomend 150megs for the ./ partion, your swap should be about equal to your RAM ( If you have lots of RAM, say 128+, then you can cut back the swap), about 250megs for ./var, and 2-3gigs for ./usr (this is where all your progams go so depending on how much you plan to install you need to haveroom for), and about 200megs per user for ./home.

The one thing that I am not sure about is how well XP's boot loader will play with Mandy installed second. All the documentation I've read recommends installing XP last and using its' boot loader. I don't have any expirence with it. LiLo or GRUB should do the job though. Just to be safe I would have a boot disk handy for XP and make one for Mandy when it asks during the install. That way you can at least try to fix them if something goes south.

Good Luck!!! Have fun!! Oh and let me wecome you the world of Linux!!

OOPS!