Dual Drives - One for Win and the other for Linux
 

Hi everyone!

I have two separate hard drives. In one of them I already have installed WinXp Pro. On the other I would like to install Linux (distro: Slacware).

Could anyone point me to a link/resource that explains this procedure? The links that I've read don't explain the steps necessary for a newbie to perfom this task.

I already saw the threads similar to this one but I'm still with doubts about this subject...

Any help will be much appreciated!

Thank you all.

Just one more question:

Does the type of the file system matter? If it does, the file system on the hard drive where WinXp is installed is NFTS.

Basically, you simply boot from an installation CD (or DVD), and follow the directions. The installer will ask you where you want to set up the partitions for Linux. You will have the option of overwriting existing ones.

Don't get fancy with partitions on your first install---all you need is one partition of ~10-15GB---for the root (/) partition, and maybe 1GB of swap space. (Leave free space on the disk for later additions.

Another method to consider using two disks---put bot OSes on one drive, and format the other FAT32 for data--this can easily be seen by both Windows and Linux.

Having separate hard disks for Windows and Linux makes life real easy for you. I'd recommend to set your existing Windows disk to be primary slave (assuming you are using IDE) and your new HDD primary master. Then install Linux on your first drive and configure Linux bootloader to boot Windows from your second drive. With this setup both operating systems are independent from each other and in case you want remove one disk from your system the other OS will work without any reconfiguring.

Emerson (or anybody), could you tell where I can find some nice tutorial to do that?

It would help people on the list is you specified which ditro you are planning to use (or which ones you are thinking about anyway).

Well, basically you just need to install Linux and add Windows to the GRUB configuration file. The file itself is /boot/grub/grub.conf and you need to add following:

So, I need to install Linux (in my case: slackware) and choose to install it to the second drive (the first drive already has WinXp installed).

Then I need to redefine the GRUB configuration file like Emerson said, right?

Also, I need to know how can I do this:

"I'd recommend to set your existing Windows disk to be primary slave (assuming you are using IDE) and your new HDD primary master" [Emerson]

There are many variants to use when setting up multibooting. You need to choose one or things get really confusing. But let's start from beginning. Are you going to use the scheme I recommended in post #4? Are you using IDE? Or maybe SATA? Do you know how to set drive jumpers - also in case there is a Cable Select type cable?

I will copy post#4 here:

"Having separate hard disks for Windows and Linux makes life real easy for you. I'd recommend to set your existing Windows disk to be primary slave (assuming you are using IDE) and your new HDD primary master."

How can I do this? Again, any links are appreciated.

" Then install Linux on your first drive and configure Linux bootloader to boot Windows from your second drive."

How can I configure the Linux bootloader to boot Windows from your second drive? The answer is post#7? If it is, could you provide more details, please?

Now for your last post:

"Are you using IDE? Or maybe SATA?"

I'm not at home right now, but I wil answer this one later.

"Do you know how to set drive jumpers"

I think that is an option in the bios settings, but i'm not sure... Could you explain it?

"also in case there is a Cable Select type cable?"

I don't know. How can I see if there is a Cable Select type cable?

Again, thank you for your time.

I'd recommend to speed up your learning curve. Right now it seems every answer I give results in more and more questions. There is Google for you, giving answers instantly as soon as they arise. For instance, search for 'install IDE drive' brought up plenty of useful information. Here's just one of them: Installing IDE drives
You are welcome to ask your questions here but this certainly is the slowest way.

Ok.

I will study first and post my conclusions.