I want to install Fedora Core onto this PC, currently running WindowsXP. However, I want the PC to default boot XP in exactly the same manner it does now, and only with intervention should Linux show up.

To clarify, I want no trace of Linux visable on the boot, unless I request it.
Is this possible, or am I going to have to use Grub/LILO?

yes it is possible. you can boot linux from a floppy. i am not to familar on fedora but it shouldn't be to hard to do. it most likely is an option during installation.

Cheers man.
Okay then, can anyone be more specific?

I am assuming you have free space on the hard drive to install Fedora on correct??

Anyways, when you install Fedora, be sure to create a boot floppy!! and then choose NOT to install grub into the MBR.. that way, there will be no trace of linux, unless you stick the floppy in on bootup.. easy enough?

Good Luck

Halo14's boot floppy suggestion should work w/o a trace. If you don't mind a small trace, you can install Grub and make Windows the default. It will bring up a little boot dialog and give you a choice of Windows or Linux. If you don't intervene, it will boot to Windows in a few seconds. I used to do this on a system that my wife and I shared and I really didn't want her to bump into Linux.

If you are new to Linux, be careful during the install process and don't format the partition with your XP installation on it. Don't ask why I mention this.

hig,

Follow the suggest of cswor. This is by far the easiest way to set up linux and dual boot with XP. You will notice when you get the bootloader part of the installation that you won't see "Windows XP" per se. In fact, it will be labelled as "Other".

What you will want to do is probably highlight this label, click the 'Edit' button (or equiv) and rename it to something more meaningful. While you are there, make sure its the default on boot up.

Don't worry if you do all this and Windows isn't the default. We can change that later from within Linux.

"Don't worry if you do all this and Windows isn't the default. We can change that later from within Linux. "

Hi all, I installed Linux on my machine that already had XP on it, I did this before I discovered this forum, now by default it boots to Linux, How do I change it so it boots to windows by default? thanks

If you are using grub then you need to edit

/boot/grub/grub.conf (or something along those lines)

and for LILO

/etc/lilo.conf

in these files you will need to just change the line that sets the default, then run "lilo" or "grub-install /dev/hda" (depending on which you are using, substitute /dev/hda for your hard disc)

thanks for the reply dave, but you need to dumb it down a little for me, this whole Linux thing is new to me, I've searched a bit about grub and lilo but don't understand exactly what it is or how to go about doing what you said

O.k. after alot of research I finaly figured out what you meant and solved my problem. thanks for leading me in the right direction, bob