Forgive me if this is a repeat.

I want to create the following multiboot setup:

HDD1 120GB - WinXP-Pro, Win2K3-STD, RedHat9, Mandrake10-Official, Data/File Partition.

HDD2 30GB - FreeBSD-5.3 Release

I want to use GRUB as the bootloader but I have not found any step-by-step guides or instructions that fit my needs (I usually need really spelled out steps to learn).

I have had success with the following setups in the past:

HDD1 30GB - WinXP-Pro, Mandrake10-Official, FreeBSD-5.2.1

and

HDD1 60GB - WinXP-Pro, Win2K3-STD.
HDD2 30GB - FreeBSD-5.3 release.

Can anyone offer help for my particular scenario?
Possibly step-by-step instructions?

Thanks in Advance

Since windoze insists on writing it's own bootloader to the MBR, I'd suggest you install both versions first. Make sure each boots ok after installing (you will probably need a boot disk for the first one you install, unless you configure the bootloader of the second to also boot the first).

Then install RedHat. Be careful to tell RH to install grub to the MBR. I hope RH will correctly detect both winsoze installations and write /boot/grub/grub.conf for you. (After installation, check the contents of grub.conf to see if the two windoze partitions are listed). If they're not there, you will have to manually edit grub.conf to make the proper entries (there are tons of posts on these boards on that issue).

Once you have RH and grub configured to boot RH and both windoze partitions, then install Mandrake. But, DO NOT allow Mandrake to write grub to the MBR (that's done already; install Mandrake's grub to the Mandrake partition). Then write down the Mandrake entry from Mandrake's grub.conf (or menu.lst if that what it uses). Mount the RH partition, and edit RH's grub.conf to add the Mandrake info.

Do the same for freeBSD.

As for step by step instructions, try the grub manual. Or see if you can google up a copy of 'Zen and the Art of Using Grub'.

thanks for your answers, but will installing both windows first still force me to go through the NTLDR boot menu? I just GRUB to be able to launch either one without having to go through the windows boot menu.
On aslightly different note, will it matter if mandrake goes first, then RedHat? Or does order of linux installs not matter?

Also I have seen posts on redhat9 lockingup during certain areas of installation, are you aware of any problems?

"Zen and the Art of GRUB", huh? I will look for it.

thank you, I will post my results to let you know.

I had originally tried doing what a previous tutorial suggested (sort of)
So far I had tried creating partitions first by using the software disk that comes with the new harddrive.

I split the 120 GB disk into 6 even Partitions: 2 NTFS partitions(for XP and 2k3), 4 Fat32 Partitions (3 to be turned in to linux/BSD partitions and 1 for data and file sharing between installations).

I installed Mandrake first on the third partition (hd0,3), then using GRUB I did the following before installing winXP:

hide (hd0,1) [hd0,1 is the partition where I plan to put win2k3]
unhide (hd0,0)
rootnoverify (hd0,0)
makeactive
chainloader +1

Then I typed "reboot" to boot into the Windows XP cd to install windows.

(This is where I was when I made my original post, sorry for not specifying)

I am comtemplating hiding the windowsXP part. and unhiding the second NTFS part. to install 2003.
(could this cause a problem somehow?)

Before finally installing RedHat9 and FreeBSD-5.3.
Any corrections to make (or severe tongue lashings to recieve) for any of what I have stated above