Please don't yell at us.
I triple boot (soon to quadrupleboot) Linux using grub for the bootloader.
I use a common /boot and /home partition for all distros.
What is your current partitioning scheme?
Code:
Sat Apr 23 02:02 AM fancy@tinwhistle ~ $ su -
Password:
Sat Apr 23 02:02 AM root@tinwhistle ~ # fdisk -l
Disk /dev/hdc: 160.0 GB, 160041885696 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 19457 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/hdc1 * 1 19457 156288321 83 Linux
Disk /dev/hda: 82.3 GB, 82348277760 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 10011 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/hda1 * 1 10 80293+ 83 Linux
/dev/hda2 11 254 1959930 83 Linux
/dev/hda3 255 316 498015 83 Linux
/dev/hda4 317 10011 77875087+ 5 Extended
/dev/hda5 317 1290 7823623+ 83 Linux
/dev/hda6 1291 1899 4891761 83 Linux
/dev/hda7 1900 2508 4891761 83 Linux
/dev/hda8 2509 3117 4891761 83 Linux
/dev/hda9 3118 10011 55376023+ 83 Linux
Disk /dev/hdb: 160.0 GB, 160041885696 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 19457 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/hdb1 * 1 7 56196 83 Linux
/dev/hdb2 8 130 987997+ 83 Linux
/dev/hdb3 131 143 104422+ 83 Linux
/dev/hdb4 144 19457 155139705 5 Extended
/dev/hdb5 144 1056 7333641 83 Linux
/dev/hdb6 1057 1665 4891761 83 Linux
/dev/hdb7 1666 2274 4891761 83 Linux
/dev/hdb8 2275 2883 4891761 83 Linux
/dev/hdb9 2884 3492 4891761 83 Linux
/dev/hdb10 3493 4101 4891761 83 Linux
/dev/hdb11 4102 8357 34186288+ 83 Linux
/dev/hdb12 8358 19457 89160718+ 83 Linux
My /etc/fstab file:
Code:
# Duron 950 Fedora Core 1 tinwhistle /etc/fstab file
/dev/hda8 / ext3 defaults 1 1
/dev/hda1 /boot ext3 defaults 1 2
none /dev/pts devpts gid=5,mode=620 0 0
/dev/hdb11 /home ext3 defaults 1 2
none /proc proc defaults 0 0
none /dev/shm tmpfs defaults 0 0
/dev/hdb12 /pub ext3 defaults 1 2
/dev/hda2 swap swap defaults 0 0
/dev/cdrom /mnt/cdrom udf,iso9660 noauto,owner,kudzu,ro 0 0
/dev/fd0 /mnt/floppy auto noauto,owner,kudzu 0 0
#/dev/hdb8 /mnt/debian ext3 defaults 1 2
#/dev/hdb9 /mnt/fc3 ext3 defaults 1 2
#/dev/hdc1 /mnt/backup ext3 defaults 1 2
#/dev/hdc1 /mnt/wav ext3 defaults 1 2
#/dev/hdc1 /mnt/fat32 vfat defaults,umask 0,0,0 0 0
And my /boot/grub/grub.conf file:
Code:
# Duron 950 tinwhistle /boot/grub/grub.conf file
#
# Note that you do not have to rerun grub after making changes to this file
# NOTICE: You have a /boot partition. This means that
# all kernel and initrd paths are relative to /boot/, eg.
# root (hd0,0)
# kernel /vmlinuz-version ro root=/dev/hdb9
# initrd /initrd-version.img
#boot=/dev/hda
default=0
timeout=10
splashimage=(hd0,0)/grub/splash.xpm.gz
title Fedora Core 1 (2.4.22-1.2199.nptl)
root (hd0,0)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.4.22-1.2199.nptl ro root=/dev/hda8 hdd=ide-scsi rhgb
initrd /initrd-2.4.22-1.2199.nptl.img
# title Debian SID
# root (hd0,0)
# kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.10-1.14_FC2 ro root=/dev/hda8 rhgb quiet
# initrd /initrd-2.6.10-1.14_FC2.img
title Fedora Core 3 (2.6.9-1.667)
root (hd0,0)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.9-1.667 ro root=/dev/hdb9 rhgb quiet
initrd /initrd-2.6.9-1.667.img
title Gentoo Sources (2.6.11-gentoo-r6)
root (hd0,0)
kernel /kernel-2.6.11-gentoo-r6 ro root=/dev/hda3
Preparing to install Linux:
# Choosing a Linux Distribution:
Will your hardware work?
Do you have good RAM?
Memtest86 - A Stand-alone Memory Diagnostic
A Beginner's Guide to Choosing a Linux Distribution
Reasons to Choose or Not Choose Linux
LWN distro list
elinux Linux Distributions
# Freeware tools for partitioning/resizing hard drive partitions:
Any
Linux Live CD usually have fdisk, cfdisk and other tools available
Ranish Partition Manager
# Understanding Linux Filesystem layout:
Directory Navigation Help File
Filesystems, Directories, and Devices Help File
Proper Filesystem Layout
Advanced filesystem implementor's guide (requires registration)
