Can I install OpenSuSE 11.0 BEFORE I install Windows?
 

Hello (first post btw):

I wiping my windows install on my Dell Lattitude laptop. I want to install OpenSuse 11.0, but I'm also wondering if I can reserve a partition for Windows XP and install it later, after I've already got Suse installed. If yes, how do I arrange/create the partitions?

Thank you much for any help.

PS: Keeping my current windows install is not an option. If i'm going to have windows, it'll be installed later AFTER Suse.

From what I hear, it IS possible, but a bit complicated. I only use Linux, so I can't speak from personal experience, but from what I've read, it's far better to install Windows first, then install Linux.

Another option can be: install linux only and virtualize windows under linux (if the CPU supports virtualization). In this way you spare dual boot, that is you have not to switch between two systems anymore.

Yes this can be done. Just google some instructions on how to reinstall your bootloader for SUSE.

Windows does not care about other Operating Systems so it just totally wipes the Bootloader and installs the windows bootloader. It will boot into Windows fine but you will not be able to get back into SUSE until you reinstall GRUB or LILO.

It is actually pretty easy to do especially if you have a live CD hanging around. A few commands and you are done.

1. Boot from a live CD like Knopppix, Ubuntu etc.
2. Open a terminal and su to root.
3. type "grub" at the command prompt.
4. Type "find /boot/grub/stage1". You'll get a response like "(hd0)" or "(hd0,3)". Use whatever the computer says in the following command.
5. Type "root (hd0,3)"
6. Type "setup (hd0,3)"
7. Type quit
8. Restart the system.

i think it can be done. but you have to reserve the first partition for windows. i.e. install the linux on another partition. windows will only boot if it is on the first partition right after MBR