mulitple linuxes + win - how to partion?

Ok, so I have a nice fresh install (yay!) to play with. I'd like to have a quadruple boot system- (gasp!). Why? well, I have heard a lot recently about the relative merits of the different types of distros, so I want to install a rpm based, debian based and slackware based distro- as well as windows 2000. I have the windows 2000, mandrake 10.0 community (rpm based) ubuntu/knoppix (ubuntu is in the mail) (debian based) and a type of slackware (I'm thinking vector linux?)

Right, with that established, I want at least the linuxes to share a data partion (?home? should I have other partitions?) so, how much should I dedicate to each linux? is 2GB enough? how should I divide up the linux partitions? I have a /boot section, the first partion on the first disk- 16mb. I also have a swap, right after that (600MB)
(I have heard that it is a good idea to keep the swap partition and data partition on separate hard drives)

windows 2000 needs an NTFS partition - I'll give it 5 GB. I don't mind if it can't read the data that the Linuxes can- it is really only for games.

Right now I'm sitting on a mandrake install (because I love their partitioning thing.) Should I set up the other linux's partions or just leave space?

How do I stop the linuxes from "hijacking" the other linuxs' partions?

I have two hardrives.

If there is any other info I should post, please let me know.

thanks in advance!

titanium_geek

I would set it up like this:

..:: HDA ::..
swap (512 MB)
NTFS (5 GB)
/home (?? GB)
/tmp (?? GB)

..:: HDB ::..
swap (512 MB)
/boot (150 MB)
--- extended ---
/ -> rpm based
/ -> debian based
/ -> slackware based

Cause you didn't post the size of the drives, I'm poking around a bit. But I would use a setup simular to the one above. Of course, other ppl might have a different opinion. I think 2 gig per / is a little on the low side if you want to run an X environment and some nice apps.

The explination of my choices:
Swap as the first partitions allows your system to access it quicker. Two of them will give you a round-robin approach. I generally put them in fstab with a sw,pri=42 flag. So I have been taught by a friend (who knows a hell of a lot more about linux then me and haunts these forums too as 'druuna' ).
You can safely use /home and /tmp for all linux installs.
Using only one /boot is possible, but you need to be cautious that the distro's don't overwrite each others kernels and grub.conf files.
Seperate root partitions for each distro. Self explanitory I'd say

Have fun setting it all up and tell us how it went

thanks.
downloading vector linux as I type...

hda is 16GB hdb is 19GB (so it tells me...)

ok, so, chucking in my own gut feeling with your advice
..:: hda (16GB) ::..
swap (512 MB)
/boot (150 MB)
*extended...*
/ (rpm - mandrake) 6GB
/ (slack - vector linux) 5GB
/ (debian - knoppix) 5GB

..:: hdb (19GB) ::..
swap (512 mb)
NTFS (5GB)
/home (8.7 GB)
/tmp (4.8 GB)
------------------
any glaring faults?

what about ext2 or journalised FS, mandrake is using journalised FS as the default- is this ok?

ok- now what! mandrake won't let me have multiple root partitions. GRR. so do I just leave the empty space? (EDIT as of now I have two journalised FS partitions - destined to be future root partitions, option set to extended. they don't have a mount point specified.)

I paniced- "What about LFS?" but I think that can wait for a different computer...

thanks again
titanium_geek

ok- I decided that I would just leave the empty space for the other linuxes (installing mandrake) so there was no risk of a 'hijack'. I'll set up the other root partitions as I install the other linuxes.

thanks again.

Good luck and have fun!
One last note though, your /tmp is a lot larger then needed. But if you have the space to spare... who cares?

umm... what is the /usr that mandrake wants me to set up? I gave it 4GB- whatever! cut down on /tmp.

wierd- swap is hda1 and hdb1, then it skips to hda5 and hdb5 after that....

titanium_geek

One thing, I have trouble.

I have Slakcware and Debian, on one laptop, separate / and shareing /home.

Some files, (~/.xinitrc) make trouble. The way they handle X session is differnt.

thanks kaz, good to know. I'll look out for that.