Install linux (mandrake 9.1) over win 98 and still boot linux and winxp(drive E:)

BlueTaurus13 · 08-18-2003, 11:14 AM

I have a dual boot system using Win98SE(drive C) and WinXP(Drive E). All drives are FAT32. My system is broken down as follows:

C: Windows 98SE- 6 GB
D: Backup (this is a separate 20GB hard drive)
E: Win XP- 33.5 GB
F: Swap File- 2.32 GB
G: Games Music- 14 GB

I rarely used Win 98 and with the install of new motherboard and video card it will no longer boot. I would like to install Mandrake 9.1 onto the C drive and want to know if this will cause problems with booting into WinXP. I know the boot.ini is currently on my C drive. Will Mandrake Install a boot loader that includes Drive E: Winxp or do I have to create a special boot.ini or floppy? Thanks for any help I can get.
BT

Zb7 · 08-18-2003, 11:19 AM

Mandrake can simply install grub or lilo (these are the program linux uses for dual booting) To install from whatever hard drive you have selected in your bios to boot from first. When you install Mandrake it will ask you to point to any other partitions or hard disks containing OSes and what their type is (WinXP is considered type DOS). Remember to go over the rules for hard drive and partition naming just to familiarize yourself, just in case grub or lilo does something bad. I'm confident that since you're install Mandrake, it will hold your hand, and it will be pretty easy on you.

oni0n56 · 08-18-2003, 03:54 PM

im not sure about this but i think that if when you install lilo/grub... then when you reboot even if it doesnt show windows because of the different hard drives.... [im not sure about this though..] you can add it manually to the boot menu... i read this somewhere but i forgot how to do that

but im pretty sure its possible!! ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!! with LINUX!! except blue screens of death and constant crashing

Zb7 · 08-18-2003, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by oni0n56
im not sure about this but i think that if when you install lilo/grub... then when you reboot even if it doesnt show windows because of the different hard drives.... [im not sure about this though..] you can add it manually to the boot menu... i read this somewhere but i forgot how to do that but im pretty sure its possible!! ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!! with LINUX!! except blue screens of death and constant crashing

This is possible. You have to find your grub.conf or lilo.conf and edit them manually.

A code block for linux will look like this

title=Linux
root (hdX, Y)
kernel (hdX, Y)/boot/kernel-[KERNELVERSION] root =/dev/hdXY
init (hdX, Y)/boot/initrd/initrd-[KERNELVERSION]

and for windows
rootnoverify (hdA, B)
chainloader (hdA, B)+1

oni0n56 · 08-18-2003, 05:10 PM

yeah thats it Zb7... thats what i meant!!

BlueTaurus13 · 08-18-2003, 06:48 PM

To clarify; C,E,F,and G are all partitions on my main 60GB hard drive. I have created a WinXP boot disk in case the grub or lilo fail to include WinXp. Any way to put the Mandrake boot info on the Windows Boot.ini?

andrewlkho · 08-18-2003, 07:04 PM

There's no point in putting the Mandrake boot blook in the Windows Boot.ini [at least, I can't see one, although, not being a windows expert, I couldn't say]. All you need to do is add the windows boot block to /etc/grub.conf or /etc/lilo.conf, and then don't forget to run "lilo" afterwards. That will mean that when your computer boots, it will show the grub/lilo boot menu, and you can select winxp or linux. If it's any help, when I used to do this, I found it easiest to install linux first making partitions that took up half the hdd, and then instructed windows to install in the rest of the hdd.

oni0n56 · 08-18-2003, 07:11 PM

but blue taurus those are windows partitions ... you need a different type i think... like dev/hda1 ,2 etc etc... dont you?? im not sure but i think thats the case... you might want to re partition them but im not sure how the partitioning thing works..

BlueTaurus13 · 08-18-2003, 07:29 PM

I'm going to use C drive and format it for linux, unfortunately that is also the location of my current boot.ini info. If all goes okay and I find myself using Linux more then I'll shrink down my XP drive E and increase the drive space for Linux. Doesn't Linux use 3 similar type partitions for the OS,swap and program files?

Zb7 · 08-18-2003, 07:45 PM

Taurus just for your benefit if you're going to be using Linux I would suggest for you to check out how /dev/XXX naming conventions work. Windows just slaps the C D and E on so its easier when in fact you're working with /dev/hda1 /dev/hda2 etc....

As for Linux and what it needs partitioned, you need at LEAST a swap partition (not recommended to go without this AT ALL) and a root partition. The swap partition should be anywhere from the size of your ram, to double its size, I've heard what it should be vary. As for the big partition, just let it fill up however big you want it to fill. The swap partition uses a special linux swap format, and there are many choices for filesystem on the big one. Ext2, its younger brother ext3, and reiserfs are all options.

Dont worry about boot.ini or whatever, grub will take care of you fine, and mandrake with (most likely) take care of things for you.

BlueTaurus13 · 08-18-2003, 07:56 PM

Thanks Zb7! I hope to do the install tomorrow. I have a disability problem (elbows, lot's of pain when i type), so it may be a day or 2 before i let you all know how it goes....keep check'n in!
BT

oni0n56 · 08-18-2003, 10:10 PM

Okay blue taurus!! good luck!!

BlueTaurus13 · 09-01-2003, 08:03 AM

Hi to All,
Finally got 9.1 installed! Had to do a text option install, no other type would work. Also, had to buy new CD burner,old one died and had made faulty ISO imagies That I was trying to install with. One question---Should I use the mandrake firewall and if so how should I set it up(what options) or is another type available like ZoneAlarm?
Cheers,
BT13