I am a linux noob. I am preparing for a Dual boot install (winxp pro and Fedora). I have an 80 gig HD that I am going to alot at least 10 gig to a Fedora install. I will use partition magic to resize my current partition. I bought "Fedora for dummies a while back. This book comes with Fedora on DVD. I keep reading about dual boot issues with Fedora. I am wondering which Fedora core is on the DVD, is there a way to find out which core is on that DVD B4 installing. I would like the dual boot install to go smoothly.

I have read where people have setup their computer with a windows XP install and linux, but the linux won't boot until you place a floppy in the floppy drive. This sounds like a good way to dual boot. Here is a few questions that come to min .
1. Is this possible to do this type of booting with Fedora (floppy, not modify the MBR)??

2. If a person wants to setup the linux boot this way (via a floppy) does linux have to be on a completely separate HD??

3. The floppy booting process sounds like it doesn't mess with the MBR, is that true.

4. I like this process because I have setup a couple dual boot and when windows needs to be repaired (it always does ) than it is easier to repair when the MBR has not been modified.

I am also wondering if I will have any issues with my current hardware. The purpose for the fedora install is a strictly learning experience. I want to learn the capabilities (ie workstation, server, firewall etc).

Asus A78Nx
Athlon XP 3000+
ATI 9500 pro ( I understand no 3D gaming unless a person has a Nvidia card)
512 pc3200
80 gig HD
DVDRW
DVD
Sound blaster Live

Are there any commercial applications/freeware that allow Linux to read/write to an NTFS partition (stabily)?? If not would it be a good idea to create a FAT32 partition to share file between the 2 installs?? From my reading, there is nothing available that will read and write to NTFS without the risk of messing up the file structure, am I correct??

Thanks for all your time and knowledge

1. You can decide not to alter MBR with linux install (only floppy). End of linux installation asks for this. (though I haven't tried Fedora).

2. This is just a decision about where should the linux loader should lie: MBR or floppy it does not affect either Linux is on same hdd or different.

3. Yes, if you install bootloader in floppy only and leave MBR untouched it doesnot mess with MBR.

4. SUGGESTION: even though you need to reconfigure your windows, it is not much difficult to rewrite the MBR. No need to worry about changes in MBR. LILO or GRUB can be easily rewritten. If anything goes wrong windows bootloader can be recovered with FIXMBR command from windows


Regarding Filesystem compatibility between Linux and Windows FAT32 is stable. Actually one should use FAT32 to exchange data between windows and linux.

To find out which Fedora is on your media (DVD) just boot from it.

One other possibility for a dual boot system is to install the boot loader in the first sector of your Fedora partition. This way, you can manually edit Windows's "boot.ini" to allow a choice between Windows or Linux at startup. That way you don't need a floppy, yet you don't have to change the MBR.

I'm not sure exactly what you'd want to add to boot.ini, but Google could probably help you out... however to install GRUB/LILO on your Linux partition, make sure you select "Configure Advanced Bootloader Options" when installing Fedora and then instead of installing to /dev/hda you'll want to choose "first sector of boot partition."