Not a linux newbie, but more wondering how to BEST set up a system that dual boots Xp and Mandrake, (Most likely). Best way to partition the drives and what should be installed first? I've run slackware for a while on my laptop, but have yet to try a dual booting system on anything more then windows platforms

I'm newbie,but I'll try it.

I'm running XP and MDK 9.1.Firstly you should do XP.Leave unpartitoned space for linux.And then run 1st boot cd (Mandrake),it will ask you where you want make partitions for Mandrake.I'd recommend using Lilo boot loader.Hope I helped bit.

Works for me. I run Slack on my laptop and NT on this desktop. (Needs some windows software.) This is for my sister's computer. She wanted something a bit different, but figured I should leave XP, since she used to it and Linux is new to her. Any more input will be great guys.

As WannaLearnLinux states, the easiest thing to do is install Windows first, then Linux. I will assume you will be dual-booting on a single hard-drive system, and that neither Windows nor Linux has already been installed. In other words the disk is empty. If so, here's what I'd suggest:

1. Determine how much space you want to allocate to Windows and to Linux, then define the Windows partition.
2. Install Windows.
3. Install Linux. Note that one of the first things you'll need to do is define at least one partition for swap and one for / (root). You can explicitly define other partitions for specific Linux directories (such as a /home partition, a /boot partition, etc) however that is optional. If no specific partition has been defined for those directories, they'll just be created under /. In terms of size, I would not make the swap partition larger than 256Mg or 512Mg, and give the rest to /
4. Towards the end of the Linux install, you will be asked about the boot loader. I recommend using lilo and installing it to the MBR (master boot record). Complete the Linux installation and you should be able to reboot with a clean dual-boot system.

If Windows is already installed on you your drive, and is using the whole disk, you will need to resize that partition in order to make space to install Linux into. Repartitioning tools are pretty common (partition magic is popular) but I like BootIT NG from terabyteunlimited. It's a great tool. Anyway, if this latter scenario is what you've got, defrag your disk before repartitioning, in order to acquire as much contiguous free space as possible. Good luck with things - I should also mention that there are tons of other threads on this very topic here at LQ. I'd recommend checking some of them out for other ideas to consider. -- J.W.

Thanks for the info JW. I know how to create Linux partitions and windows partitions. I'm starting on a fresh system. Actually have 2 HDs. I would ideally like to have one MP3 HD that both OSes can access. (That's a new one to me). I'm fine partioning and installing either system and have done literally hundreds of OS installs. But I've never done a Windows/Linux setup and was curious if there was anything special that needed to be taken into account. Which one should be done first. Etc.

My 2 big issues are one partition being accessed by both OSes. As stated. And getting some help getting their I Net connection set up through a DSL with log on and such. (I let my sis borrow my laptop and had to put Windows on it since I couldnt get it to work through Linux and the tech support kept me on hold for 45 minutes to tell me, "I'm sorry, I mispoke. We DON'T support linux. Just Windows OSes.) Like thats cool in 2004. At least MacOS would seem mandatory. Anyway, thanks for the thought guys.

It's simplest to install Windows first, because the Windows installation process will overwrite the MBR. If you were to install Linux first, then the subsequent Windows install would overwrite the MBR, which would pretty much kill Linux and thus is not desirable. (There are various tricks you can do to physically install Windows after Linux, but it's just simpler and faster to do Windows then Linux.)

As for setting up a common, shared partition for MP3's that could be accessed from both OS's, you'd need to go with a file format Windows can handle, ie, it can't be reiserfs, ext2, ext3, etc. Linux can play nice with Windows, but it's not a 2 way street. I'll admit that I'm not sure which format works best for a Win/Lin shared space, but if may be NTFS.

Regarding the ISP connection, that should be a non-issue since the machine would only be running one OS at a time. Set up net access for Windows, then reboot and set it up under Linux. Those settings would be totally independent, and each OS would therefore have net access, so whichever OS you booted should be ready to go. Maybe I don't understand your question correctly. Either way welcome to LQ and the most excellent world of Slack. Slack ROCKS, that's all I can say. -- J.W.

J.W. I appreciate the response. The shared HD info sound great. I can handle that. As far as the net connection Ill post in more detail once I get everything up and running and go to connect. Essentially I was unable to get Slack to connect. But had no issues with XP. Most likely I missed some setting. I figure once XP runs the stupid config program that comes with the modem I can get all the info in the control panels and plant it into Linux. (I know the settings in each OS are completely idependant)

And not that it matters, but I run Slack on my laptop. (Though it's temporarily running XP to counter that nasty cable modem of hers). My Sisters desktop will most likely be running XP and Mandrake or Redhat. I just read that the new Mandrakes coming out the 28th. Don't know if I can wait that long to get my laptop back though. I hear if you leave XP on your system too long it's never the same even if you remove it.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by J.W.
[B]It's simplest to install Windows first, because the Windows installation process will overwrite the MBR. If you were to install Linux first, then the subsequent Windows install would overwrite the MBR, which would pretty much kill Linux and thus is not desirable. (There are various tricks you can do to physically install Windows after Linux, but it's just simpler and faster to do Windows then Linux.)


....hehe...that's exactly how I learned that I need install Windows first,and then Linux.It tooks bad times.

But what should I do when I need to reinstall Windows? On same HDD.

I believe it is possible to save the MBR, however I have never done this myself. I would say there would be a couple of options:

1. Save MBR, re-install Windows, restore MBR
2. Consider the Windows failure to be an omen, and make the permanent switch to Linux.

More seriously, you may want to search LQ or other resources (Google) as to how to best deal with this situation. Good luck with it. -- J.W.

I think I fixed that with 1st cd of Mandrake 9.1 cds.