Hi all. I'm BRAND new to linux. I have not yet installed anything on my system, but am looking to very soon.

I've been planning on following the instructions given on http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=6162 I'm planning on installing the mandrake distro.

My questions start off simply. I use a lot of old DOS programs ( mainly for an old school EEPROM programmer ) so I actually have a dual boot system with win98 ( gah! ) and winXP. I'd like to install Mandrake and still be able to keep both of these in a triple boot situation. I was wondering if this is possible and if there's anything special I have to do or look out for when installing.

Also, the link has instructions pertaining to 'shrinking the windows partition' I do not think I will need to do this as I currently have a sufficient amount of unpartitioned space on my hard drive I reserved for just such a situation. What do I do when I reach the partitioning part of the install?

Thanks so much for your help!

Dave

run the program in both windows (I can't think of the name) that show the little blocks and it moves them. And then mandake has a very easy to use reparitiing utility. Make sure you add all the other partition to lilo though.

If you have unused disk space that's large enough to install Mandrake and have room for growth, then you should be all set. You have a choice of letting Mandrake use it's disk Wizard to find suitable space, or you can choose an existing partition on which you can install the software.

Mandrake is quite flexible in this, and other, respects. Assuming the hardware on your system is compatible to run Mandrake, you should be in good shape.

That's great! Thanks. What will I have to do ( if anything ) to handle the multiple boot situation? I'm really new about this. I understand LILO is a program that handles multiple boot, but I have no idea what it actually is or does and what I'll have to do to make all this work.

Thanks again!