Dual Booting with SUSE 10.1 and another Linux distro
 

Hi everyone this is my first post here on these forums, But I'm sure it won't be the last.

Anyway I just downloaded SUSE 10.1 "Remastered" all 6 disc's.
and I'm wanting to Dual Boot it on the same HD with Mandriva Linux.

How would I go about doing this?

I know if I were to use Ubuntu and put SUSE on first, and Ubuntu on second that during it's install Ubuntu would Auto detect for other distros, and act accordingly. Setting up my Dual Boot...

But will SUSE or Mandriva do this?
Or will I have to edit the Grub/Lilo file?

If so what do I have to put in it to get it to be Happy, and both of them PLAY Nice with each other?

I'm not New to Linux by a LONG SHOT...

But I'm fairly new to Mandriva, and Totally New to SUSE.

I've used Ubuntu for approx the last 2 years.
But decided I wanted to branch out.

My system specs are as follows:

PCchips Model A33G Socket AM2 Mainboard 1000 FSB.
AMD 64 X2 3800+ 2.0ghz Socket AM2 "Dual Core" 2000FSB CPU.
512mb PC3200 DDR2 400mhz FSB Memory.
ECS Nvidia GeForce 6100 PCIe Slot 128mb TurboCache Video Card.
RelTek Onboard Suround Sound Audio.
40Gig WD HD.

Now for my Second Question.

I'm going to use the x86_64 SUSE 10.1 "Remastered" of coarse to Support my Dual Core CPU.
And I'm using at the moment Mandriva's x86_64 config.

But could I use their 32bit Program on this setup and it still work?
If it would I'd be able to use LimeWire again.

I've tried to get LimeWire to work on my 64bit OS's but it won't.
And to my knowledge they don't have a 64bit Version of LimeWire yet.

Any and all Help/Suggestions I'd be most Grateful.:jawa:
Thanks...:D

suse wants to install to the first available partion but theres an option to edit grub egnore the error and delete the / from the sugested gonfig

1. Welcome to LQ.
2. Nicely worded Q, no need to suggest Raymond & Moen to you.
3. Sorry I can't help w/ the 2nd Q.
4. Would it be helpful to consider installing SuSE & Mand* as VM's inside Ubuntu? -- It is supposedly a good VMserver host.
5. As to multi-booting several/many Linuces:

You are right to worry about succeeding GNU/Linux installs overwriting the MBR & boot partition of the previous. In the past, that has been the norm. In fact, Ubuntu is the only one I currently know of that is well-behaved. (Not the only 1, just that I currently know of. :))

When I set up a dual/multi-boot box, I just tell the add'l distros' installers to put the boot loader (GRUB, LILO, etc.) in their root partitions. I then edit the "Master" menu (hopefully a GRUB menu.lst) to point to the new distro's root partition. Typically, it's a 3-line "title, root, chainload" stanza; although if both distros are using GRUB, a 2-line "title, configfile" stanza will do.

If this "Master" menu gets too crowded, & assuming that it's a GRUB menu.lst, then I split it in 2:

• The original stanzas go in a 2nd file.
• All references to other distros are removed from the new file.
• The original stanzas are removed. (from the original file)
• A configfile stanza that points to the new file is added.
• The menu display colors are changed, typically to something w/ a red background.
• Appropriate adjustments to default selection & timeout get made.

This results in a 2-layer menu system which reduces clutter at the expense of always going through the extra menu layer.

I normally advocate this method only "If this 'Master' menu gets too crowded", otherwise it's too much hassle.

In addition to reducing clutter, this method also allows you to see all secondary menus exactly as the distro designers intended. This can be good if you are building a demonstrator.

Thanks for the insight, I'd never thought of setting up a different layer for the GRUB before.

Something different to say the least.:cool:

I think I'll give it a try.
After all I like trying New things.
When I first came to Linux I didn't know SQUAT...

I just jumped in feet first, and broke alot of pkg's to say the least.
Reinstalled and try again.

If I couldn't figure it out I'd ask questions.
Sooner but usually later it worked...:)

In any event Thanks again...

Suse used to give one the option of installing grub to the MBR or to the root of the filesystem. If the 10.x versions still do so, just install grub to the root of the filesystem.

Then, while Suse is up and running, mount the Mandy partition. Copy the Suse grub menu entry from /boot/grub/menu.lst, go to Mandy, and paste it into Mandy's menu.lst.

Mandy will remain the Master insofar as grub is concerned, but the menu will show you the Suse installation.