About the boot loader
 

I have tryed a few diffrent distro and all of them have failed because of something that happenes when i try to boot up for the first time. I go through the instalation process fine. BUt when I install the boot loader I am always not sure what to do. Can some one tell me what kind of boot loader I should use.

You try to dual boot or you just want Linux only?

If you want dual boot, this is my experience, after install Linux I can't boot from window. What I do is reformat the Hard disk and reinstall window then


(1) defragment the hard disk.
(2) resize the hard disk.
(3) from window use partition magic to creates Linux and swap partitions.
(4) from window use partition magic to format the Linux and swap partitions created in (3)
(5) install Linux.

after installation, you should be able to boot from either window or Linux at your own choose.

I m just trying to boot only into linux. Where should I install the bootloader then.

Which distro you try to install? I am using SuSE, it know where to install the boot loader in the MBR y itself.

from your reply, I assume you try to boot Linux while you want to keep your window on the same hard disk, am I right?

The Linux installation program should know where to install itself in the MBR (Master Boot Record).

Well IM trying to install slackware on my computer without windows. It is my seconf time trying. The first time there was an error about the boot loader. I think it might have had to do about where I on stalled it. NOw I am trying for the second time and I dont want to screw up.


Thanks in advance fro ay help

If you're not dual-booting, then you need to install the bootloader to the MBR (Master Boot Record, located in the first physical sectors of the hard disk).