I've been using Ubuntu for a year as my only OS, and I wanted to try another, but still keep Ubuntu as my primary for now. I mainly want it for experimentation, development and web stuff, and when I need a fast boot-up (hence DSL, though I would mind trying another fast and minimal distro instead).

I have a good little guide to installing multiple linux distros on a single box, but the specific details are for Fedora and Suse. And all the information I've found for DSL installations seems to assume that you want it as your only OS, and overwriting the previous system.

If I understand correctly, when installing the second, or subsequent OS, you should make sure the bootloader for this new installation isn't installed in the MBR, as it would overwrite the MBR I already have. Then I could just edit my /boot/grub/menu.lst file on my Ubuntu system and add an entry for DSL. I hope that's correct.

So I need to know how to make sure the bootloader for DSL isn't installed in the MBR, when I install to the harddrive.

And I would also need to know any other details pertaining to a dual boot. I really don't want to follow all these instructions that are assuming you want DSL as your only operation system. I would hate to lose my current system, so I'd really appreciate information from anyone who has installed DSL as a second OS.

So in short, I need to know:
1. What partitions to create with gparted, given I already have Ubuntu installed
2. How to make sure the MBR isn't overwritten
3. What my entry for DSL in the menu.lst file for grub should look like.
4. Any other details required for DSL as a second OS, as compared to installing as the sole OS.

I apologize for the long-winding post.

Well, first most important question is do you want DSL frugal install or DSL hd install?

HD install you will lose the "MyDSL" feature/ability, therefore usually not best

DSL is best as frugal install.

It's really easy, simply copy the KNOPPIX foldr on cd to root of HD.
copy linux24 and minirt24.gz from cd to root of HD.

edit menu.lst for same partition as Ubuntu

title MyDSL-4.4.10
root (hd0,0)
kernel /linux24 quiet root=/dev/hda1 dma=on restore=hda1 mydsl=hda1 noapm noapic noapci BOOT_IMG=knoppix frugal
initrd /minirt24.gz

assuming you have it on hda1 of hd.
Sometimes it's best to have the restore/MyDSL folders on separate partition.
also, if you don't already have any mydsl apps etc, just enter this on boot line at first
boot "dsl xsetup restore=hda1 mydsl=hda1"
and dsl will create a mydsl folder there/whereever.
then, at desktop open mydsl browser, update and start installing apps, etc.

Tinycore is the new DSL, works almost identically to dsl except MyDSL is called tce or tcz's
so check out tinycore too.

Thanks a lot for the reply. TinyCore looks cool, under 10mb wow. However, I guess I'll be more comfortable with something more full-featured (or bloated as some would say) for now, but I suppose I can just install it next and see how it goes.

I want to confirm what you said about the frugal install though. When you tell me to copy those files to root of my HD, you mean the root of my Ubuntu filesystem, right? And I don't have to create any more partitions, just use the existing ones?

Thanks again, you've been a great help

Yep dude, almost or alot of linux's are like that...Frugality
Liunx dude.

seriously, I have dsl, feather, tinycore and about 5 puplets on my hd partition right now with ubuntu-8.04, all frugal.

I simply copied kernel/initrd's and whatever to hd, edited menu.lst and booted up.
Note, DSL, feather and similar distro's sometimes freak out when you put the kernel/initrd too deep into folders, Like if you put DSL kernel/initrd in boot folder, DSL might have an issue "finding" the KNOPPIX img.
While, usually if I put the kernel initrd at the top root of my drive, it works.

so for Puppies/puplet's, just copy everything on cd, kernel/initrd, pup.sfs etc to
a FOLDER on your hd, named anything. and tell puppy where it lives and it's cool.

So, I got browserpuppy47 cd in my cd player, I make a folder named "Browser" on my hd, copy all needed from cd to folder, then edit menu.lst like this

title Browserpuppy47
root (hd0,0)
kernel /Browser/vmlinuz root=/dev/ram0 psubdir=Browser pmedia=cd pfix=copy
initrd /initrd.gz

If it was a hd install it would be "root=/dev/hda1"
so, pupuy will look 2 folders deep on my hd for a folder named "Browser"
that's "psubdir=Browser"
pmedia= could be "cd", "usbflash", "atahd" "idehd", etc
pfix=copy means copy to ram and restore save session
pfix=ram means ignore saved sessions, copy to ram.

so, alot of linux's are like that, frugal.
Tell me if any of that works for you

This frugality thing sounds great. So any USB installation of an OS is a frugal install basically, and I can just adapt it to work in my harddrive? I think I'll try out as many OSes as I can then, haha! Thanks a lot, this is so much easier than messing with partitions and not knowing what I'm doing.

I did have some trouble with DSL though, after doing what you mentioned. It starts booting, but then, the kernel "panics" apparently. Sounds dire, haha... Well, see for yourself, attached pic.

kernel panic.JPG

Ok, you probably need to use some of the DSL boot options/cheat codes
like noapm, noapic, noapci, etc
( http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page )
( http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/wiki/i...hp/Cheat_Codes )

tinycore is similar..
are you doing this on desktop pc or lappy?