Hi everyone!

I've been a long-time visitor here at linuxquestions.org but haven't been around for the last year or so and I have some questions for you Debian gurus about setting up a dual-boot (xp/debian) system.

First off, I haven't been in the Linux environment for over a year now so I've forgotten a few things since then. However, I was quite proficient at one point in Red Hat, happily compiling and learning a lot about Linux. (I dabbled in SuSe as well but I didn't like it). Even though I've forgotten a few things I believe it's like riding a bicycle - comes back to you quickly enough.

I now have a laptop for personal use (IBM T42 - 2378REU) with the following hardware specs:
- CPU: M 1.8Gz
- RAM: 1.0 GB DDR333
- HDD: 60GB 7200rpm
- ATI Radeon Mob. 9600 @1400x1050
- Docking station
- LG CDRW/DVD-ROM
- Enclosure (USB 2.0) w/ LG GSA-4163B DVDRAM burner

I've narrowed down my choices of distro to Debian because I like to have more control over the OS, the flexibility it offers, I want an intermediate/advanced distro to learn more about Linux, and I like package management system as wel.

What I plan to do is to install Debian but only after I repartition the current drive. I need to keep XP for other duties but I won't be needing the entire HDD for it.


Here are the questions

1)
a. - to have a dual-boot system, should I install XP first and then Debian?
b. - Would I need a /boot partition as well before installing XP?

2)
I plan to partition my drive like so - Any other suggestions?:
(I don't care about IBM's stuff (made a back-up already))

Thanks very much for reading this - looking forward to your input.

//alsac

To have a dual boot you must intall linux after intstall windows.
otherwise, windows won't allow linux to boot.
You don't have to creat a boot partition.

You can partition in anyway that fixed you need.
But you have follow the first suggestion AND you
MUST install grub in MASTER BOOT RECORD you
don't creat a boot partition

Youe setup should work. I would recommend installing Windows before Linux, so it does not clean the MBR. No, you don't need a /boot parition.

Edit: Just wanted to clarify a few things:

• You can install Windows after Linux, but then you need to either boot from a linux floppy, or use a live system to chroot to the installation and reinstall grub/lilo (or restorre a MBR backup).
• You can choose to install GRUB on the "first sectors of the root parition", but then that partition has to be the active partition.

Right!

Thanks fellas. Already reformatted my system which includes a fresh install of XP. On to Debian! (At this point I'm not even installing anything on the Win system - can't wait to get to Debian and some Linux fun!).

Ok thanks for the thoughts fellas. Now to finally download Debian and install it. Can't wait to have it running my laptop