I have a second computer that I try new things on that right now has WinXP on my first HD and Desktop/LX 4.1 on the second HD. I want to get rid of all Microsoft OS and Desktop/LX went "belly-up", so there is no future for that distro.

I would like to dual boot ubuntu and PCLinuxOS on this machine if possible but I don't know if this can be done using two Linux distro's and that is my question.

My Computer info:
1000 meg AMD Athlon
HD# 1 (30 GB)
HD# 2 (30 GB)
256 meg memory

I know my memory is border line right now but expect to upgrade soon.
If more info is needed please let me know, I welcome your comments and suggestions.

Ofcourse you can do it...You can either use separate discs for two linux distros or use one disc for all distro and use the other one as a storage or home.

When you install Ubuntu, install grub on the MBR. Don't install any bootloader when you install PCLinuxOS and then when you are done with both installs, simply modify ubuntu's grub config file to include PCLinuxOS and you would be able to boot both of them.

Make sure you follow the swap thumb rule since your RAM is as your said borderline.
swap = 2 x RAM
Tux,

Which bootloader are you using?

Yes, that is what I would want to do.

Thank you for your fast reply and comments. This will be one of those "rainy day projects"

Grub

hi tuxrule,

i my knowledge the role of swap usually comes into play when you have small main memory(RAM)....so in order to 'swap' processes out of main memory you need the "swap".
...........
so i'm not comfortable with the swap thum rule...
swap = 2 x RAM.
if a person has 1024mb of RAM he should have 2048 mb swap????
.......
i think he doesn't need swap at all...
..
i'm not sure of my knowledge regarding "swap".........
any comment or suggestion will be appretiated..

regards

Here's what you do: install PCLinuxOS and partition your hard drives as follows:

hda1 / (14.25 GB)
hda2 swap (512 MB)
hda3 /ubuntu (14.25 GB)

hdb1 /home (30 GB)

So / for PCLinuxOS is hda1 and swap is hda2 and /home is hdb1.
Then, install Grub at /root.

Then, install Ubuntu, picking hda3 to be /, hda2 to be swap, and hdb1 to be /home.
Ubuntu should recognize PCLinuxOS, but even if it doesn't, put Grub on the MBR.

If it doesn't... well, let us know, and we'll help you from there.

Hi ruudra,
I know and I myself don't follow that rule...I've 768MB ram and I use 500 MB on my desktop. I merely mentioned it since having enough swap with lower RAM helps a great deal. If you move higher with ram, you would notice that you hardly use your swap.

Also the thumb rule was the case in old systems with low RAM.

I would not recommend getting rid of swap. Until he upgrades to higher ram...I'm pretty sure he's going to need the swap space.

I'm not ignoring every ones replies, I've been keeping up and paying attention. Very helpful and friendly forums here for sure, enjoyable. I see there is another post here now on this same page about multiple Linux distros on a single disk, that must be an old one that someone just replied to. I sure didn't see it before and did a search even, didn't do a very good job on that did I ? But I like the info I am getting here, thanks.....to all.

I live in an area all we have is dial-up so that means no downloading, I have a few Distro CD's coming this next week, which includes ubnutu and PCLinuxOS. Some years ago I had Red Hat and Mandrake installed but because of demanding work hours I never got very far on either one and gave up finally. I have been using Linspire now for a couple of years on my main computer.

But now my goal is to try or install all the distros' they can throw at us,. Guess I got a ways to go huh ? But I have more time now. I just like Linux and it never will be all that important to me which distro is better than the next. I'm sure that at some point and time they will be combining most of these down to maybe just two or three killer Linux operating systems that will be better than the computer world will ever have know.

I'm looking ahead here now, does anyone know of Turtorials, help, web articles, books, post on other forums for helping me with grub associated with this post that I will have to know and preform to do this dual boot ? I will search these forums and google it.

This will be critical for me to know and an essential element. Right now, I know nothing about working with grub....please help me, then I should be set to install these distros when I get them.....thanks

Jerry

I'll be able to help you out with grub. Have you already installed Linux??? I have written a short how-to on installing and configuring grub. I'll be able to help you out when I get off work later in the evening.

In any case, you can get a head start at www.google.com/linux

Tux,

Every Linux I have installed was done with Partition Magic and Boot Magic, this was on a dual boot with Microsoft OS's with the exception of Linspire which did all the work for me.

I want to learn about installing and configuring grub/MBR now, I actually won't be installing ubuntu and PCLinuxOS until I receive the CD's, so it could be a couple of weeks yet (have to leave some time for fishing)

I would very much be interested in your "how-to on installing and configuring grub" that you have written. Is that posted here on the forums some place ? Found a lot of info in the google search that will keep me busy for a while also.

Thanks again for replying Tux.....

jerry