So, I got mandrake 9.2 sitting here right by me ready to be loaded into my computer. I'd be happy with Linux alone on my computer, but me and buds have LAN party's all the time at my place, and they all run windows, hence I need my windows OS and I can't find it at the moment, but i'll come across it eventually. My Q is, can i install Mandrake Linux on my comp first, and then win98? I'f that's possible.... I hear windows takes over the whole hard disk. but im not sure.

You may, but Windows overwrites the MBR, requiring you to reinstall your boot loader, unless you boot off of floppy into Linux. It's best to partition your hd, install Windows first, then your other o/s.

That being said, you could partition your hd to reserve space for windows (at the beginning of the disk) and install Linux to a second/third/whatever partition. While installing linux takethe precaution to create a startup diskette, but also install your favourite bootloader. When you get roud to installing windows, it'll overwrite your MBR erasing the bootloader, but it'll leave your linux partitions alone. Then load linux using your startup diskette and reinstall the bootloader of your choice.

Yes, I have installed linux first on several PCs in the past. I create a FAT32 primary partition during the install. Once you find the CD you can format the partition and install windows.

You can restore the bootloader using the MDK install CD and boot to rescue mode. Select the menu item for restoring the bootloader.

i have lan parties too...
My friends use windows too, but thats never been a problem for me.

anyways, yeah that should work fine, just make sure you have a linux rescue disk to re-install the boot loader after you install windows.

Yea, ok. So I'll just install MDK and while installing, create 2 partitions using its partitioning tool in mandrake 9.2, make one primary for a FAT32 and one, a linux native. Then find my win OS, select it to install on the FAT, and rescue into mandie and reinstall the Dual boot loader. Ok, sounds good, thanks!

ONE more thing.....

Windows cannot read partitions created in linux.

so your plan will work with one minor hickup dureing the windows install.

windows will ask you where you want to install windows.
when you select the FAT32 you created in linux, windows will have some kind of error, and send you back to the screen where you select where to install.

Delete the FAT32 partiton.
and with the free space you just created, make a New partiton, and format as FAT32.
now that the partiton has been Re-created with windows, the install will go smoothly,