numerous frieds have suggested that instead of using rh9 i should try debian.

Currently using a rh9/xp setup. is it possible to install debian on the linux drive and have it boot successfully?

Also what would be the best way to start this so i can keep rh9 intact as well.

Well, the obvious question...why are they pushing Debian? It will be faster, you will learn more, however, as you can tell, many of us use RH. If you have a completely working system, the performance is fine, learn all you can before you attempt a new distro. I believe that RH, Suse, MD are easier for the newbie to learn on, learn the concepts, and then, when ready, move to the power distro's like Gentoo, Debian, Slack. I could, but I like RH just fine, and a console is a console is a console where I do most of my work anyway.

RO

Get knoppix and run
knx-hdinstall on a seperate partition
you will have all three !