setting up a dual boot with an existing XP system
 

I would like to set up a dual boot system on my existing XP system but have the following concerns:
[list=1][*]I do NOT want to format or repartition either of my existing HD's, nor do I wish to reinstall XP.[*]I would have to put the new *nix system on a fresh new hd (which has not been purchased yet). Would it have to be the master of the primary IDE, or could I set it up as the slave of the primary IDE, or the master of the second IDE? Where are the possible places that it could be and still function correctly?[*]I will have to make some re-arrangements inside my box to fit it in, namely buy a IDE card (which has not been purchased yet) as my two IDE cables now are full. Is there a problem with that? Would the system still recognize all the available drives and mounts?[*]The *nix drive need not be readable or writable by the XP system, but I would like the XP drives to be r/w by the *nix system. Would that cause problems? The current drives are C:[hda1] (FAT32) and D:[hdb1] (NTFS)[*]The *nix system I use now is Knoppix 3.3 as a Live-CD, and would like something similar, as I am already familiar with it. Any Suggestions?[/list=1]

I thank you for your understanding responses to my uber-n00bie questions.

1. Fine, but you will need a new HD.
2. You can put Linux anywhere you want, whether that's hda, hdb, hdc, or hdd. XP however likes to be on the Primary Master, so that's where I'd leave it. Whatever's easiest would be the way I'd go.
3. I am not familiar with adding a third IDE channel, so I have zero knowledge of whether this is possible or not. I suppose it's possible, but it could get squirrelly
4. Reading Windows partitions from within Linux is easy enough, but writing to Windows partitions from within Linux should be considered experimental at best. Generally speaking, Windows can't do much with Linux partitions because the Linux file systems are not recognized.
5. If you like Knoppix, you can install it permanently on your drive as your distro.

Good luck with the project and welcome to LQ. -- J.W.

2. Check this thread for info about keeping Linux and Windows on separate drives (there are probably more, but that's the first one I found). Short answer: it doesn't matter.

3. I'm not sure about this. I can see no reason why it shouldn't work, but you'll have to find someone who's actually used an IDE card to give you the definitive answer.

4. FAT32 is readable and writable, NTFS is read-only (you can write to it if you really must, but it's considered a fairly dodgy thing to do).

5. Why not just install Knoppix? I've never used it so I don't know how, but I know it can be done quite easily. Failing that, Knoppix is based on Debian, so how about giving that a go?

[edit] oops, identical answers. I need to refresh the page more often! :) [/edit]

thank you so much for your replies !!

the main concern i had was putting the distro on another hd other than the primary master, and apparently, that isnt a problem. but if the IDE card is a problem, i can always shuffle stuff around so that the distro is on the secondary master (or primary slave ?) and the other stuff gets placed in the now open slots.

thanks again for your info !! now all i need to do is get the hardware and get things crackin.

i'll probably have more questions, i'll keep you posted.