Hello:

I just received my Slackware 13.1 & the 'Official Guide to Slackware Linux' book.

I know that there is a big learning curve to use Slackware and that is why I purchased it - according to Distrowatch, "...if you learn Slackware, you learn Linux!"

But, while I am 'learning Linux', I would still like to have a linux distro installed that would be more of a 'no-brainer'.

So the question is, which distro should I install first, Slackware or say, OpenSuse? I know that if I were going to dual-boot with XP, that XP should be installed first - does order matter for 2 linux distros too?

Also, are there any points to remember to do during the installation processes so that I end up with a working, dual-boot computer?

Thanks for any thoughts on this,

Rob.

It shouldn't matter, because both should be smart and have versions of grub that will detect the other.

You will want to manually partition your disk(s) during the first install. Create one partition for SuSE, one for Slackware, and one for swap (or create more if you have a reason to). Then, make sure that each installer installs to the correct partition (they can share swap).

Its seems that Slackware uses LILO and OpenSuse uses Grub - is there anything about this that I need to know?

Thanks,

Rob.

Put the one you think you're most likely to stick with on first, with its bootloader in the MBR, and the other distro's bootloader in its root partition.
Slackware has "old" grub in /extra on the DVD/CDs, or from a mirror. And grub2 is available as a SlackBuild:
http://slackbuilds.org/repository/13.1/system/grub2/

Hello:

There has been a slight change in plans - due to 'family pressures', I had to install XP. I did this first, as I read that it is best to do so. I then installed OpenSuse with its bootloader in the MBR - it's default location, I think.

So far, both XP and OpenSuse are happliy co-existing in their new homes.

Now, I plan to install Slackware from my purchased 13.1 DVD, and I am scared! The Slackware book says that I should create atleast two primary partitions. Right now there is one primary and three extended.

Can I create 2 primary partions if I resize the extended partition?

Well, pmagic would not allow me to create a primary partition from the space freed up by resizing my large home (extended) partion. (but you knew that!)

So, does this mean that I must delete all the extended partitions, create two new primary partitions (swap & Slackware) and two extended partions (OpenSuse root & home)?

Well, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disk_pa...ng#cite_note-1 says that linux can be installed on extended partions so, that is what I will do.

Also, it says:

"A popular way to circumvent this problem is to install a small, independent "boot" partition (must be a primary partition) in which one specific bootloader is permanently stored. The MBR is then permanently set to always refer to the partition of this primary bootloader (and is never allowed to be changed or to refer to the partition of any other bootloader). This primary bootloader (in the boot partition) loads no OS directly. It merely presents a menu of operating system choices, and when one is chosen, its only function is to chainload the particular secondary bootloader of whichever OS is selected. Each secondary bootloader resides in the partition of the OS to which it belongs, and is only used to load its native OS (not any other OS). By utilizing this scheme, incompatibilities between different bootloaders, file systems and operating systems are avoided."

So, will I blow out everything, partition and re-install according to: http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Multiple_OS_Installation

Thanks,

No, you don't need two primary partitions for Slackware. Logical ones within an extended partition will be OK. A separate /boot isn't really necessary. I always make do with 2 partitions: / and swap, but some recommend 3: /, swap, and /home.

Thanks Brian.

Before I blow out everything and re-install, as per my plan above, I am going to try to install Slackware on my existing system to see what problems, if any, I run into.

OK. Good luck. Any questions or problems with Slackware, please post them in the Slackware forum. They'll get more attention.