I want to install a dual boot winxp pro and fedora
system on my dell dimension 8400 which I got recently.


I do not find any detials of how to install a dual
boot system with win xp and fedora. Winxp pro and
redhat 9 install is available but I don't know if
thats the same for fedora.

I read in some thread that there are issues with
booting windows after installing winxp and fedora. Is
there a document available anywhere which explains how
to go about installing win xp and fedora(not redhat
9).

Also is the dell dimension 8400 hardware ok with
fedora or are there any specific issues with any part?

The dimension hardware is as follows:

Dimension 8400 Series, Intel Pentium 4 Processor 530
(3.0GHz) w/HT Technology and 1MB cache
1GB DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz
Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Desktop Solution
20 in (20.0 in viewable) 2001FP Digital Flat Panel
Display
128MB PCI Express x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon X300
SE
Dell A920 Printer Driver
160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
Intel Pro 1000 Integrated PCI NIC Card
56K PCI Data Fax Modem
8X DVD+RW Drive
Cyberlink Software Decoding for DVD Drives
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 THX Certified Sound card with
DVD Audio for Dimension Systems
Dell 5650 5.1 Surround Sound Speakers System with
Subwoofer



Thanks

I have tried installing both "winxp pro and redhat" and "winxp pro and fedora". I used the same method, and it works quite well.

I read somewhere that there is a boot loader issue with xp and fedora install which prevents windows from booting and seems like a serious issue.

Did you encounter any such issue and do you have a dell 8400 as I have?

Thanks

kmlinux12
don't worry about the 'xp wont boot error', you can fix it by changing your harddisk access settings to 'LBA' from the usual 'Auto' in your BIOS. I use XPPro and FEDORA Core 2 together - faced some problems - but everything got fixed. Runs like a baby now. Also your Dell system isn't out of the ordinary, so it should install with few glitches.

when should i change the hard disk settings in the BIOS. Should I install xp first, then fedora and then change the settings?

Any other settings etc I need to check before installing?

Thanks

Follow these instructions for a painless install:

http://lwn.net/Articles/86835/

you may change to the LBA mode at anytime - that is before or after XP, before or after installing FEDORA. I recommend you change it before XP so you have one OS operational without any changes to the system - install fedora after XP only. Also read the article mentioned by proudclod, if you are technically inclined. It achieves the same effect. I also recommend that you dbl check for compatibility at the hardware compatibility page - http://hardware.redhat.com/hcl - look around if the link has changed - its still on the redhat website Best of Luck, and welcome to the limited community of users who use both microsoft and linux - without fretting too much about what is better. Cheers

Is installing enterprise redhat linux better than fedora. I'm inclined to get an academic version of enterprise redhat WS which I think is 25$ since it has published documentation whereas for fedora we always have to hunt for it.

Has anyone had experience with xp and enterprise linux on the same box and are there any documents that describe how to install a dual boot system with xp and enterprise linux?


Thanks

Red Hat Documentation applies to Fedora Core 2. Fedora is going to apply new technologies , RH is not. unlike xp, linux is an extremely vibrant system and once you get familiar you would like to use fedora core 2's new tech. I recommend install Fed - and don't worry its not difficult to install.