Can I install Fedora after XP and still have both?
 

Dear readers,

I have a Windows XP on my PC and now I'd like to install Fedora 20 without losing my Windows. I wonder if by doing so I will have the dual-boot menu or not. I don't like to re-install XP after Fedora.

(I have enough unformatted space on the disk for Linux).

Thanks in advance,
Ali

Welcome to the forums!

I think this is well-covered in the Fedora 20 Installation Guide; specifically Chapters 9.11 through 9.14.

http://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/...ide/index.html

Do you have a specific question about something you read in these chapters?

yeah... just run the fedora live-usb installer.

Install Linux on the un-formatted space. You will have dual boot system

By the way, a reminder that Microsoft is pulling all security support for XP in a couple of weeks. Personally, I would upgrade to Windows 7 before installing Fedora, or possibly just go all-Linux. :)

Oh, thank you for welcoming me and for all the kind replies.
I want both operating systems on one hard drive. My question is whether after installing Fedora there will be any dual-boot menu to switch between Linux and Windows or not.
Based on your answers I conclude: Yes there will be a dual-boot menu and the XP also will remain accessible.

May I ask my 2nd question please? If I installed Fedora (and XP was there first) is there an easy way to re-install XP some time later without touching (modifying/uninstalling/etc) Fedora? I think during installing Linux this OS suggests us to make some kind of recovery disk or something. Then, if some time later we wanted to re-install Windows (without touching Linux) it can be done easily, right?

You can re-install Windows but be cautious about the drive having Linux or you may format the in-correct partition.

When you install Windows after Linux, windows will remove Linux boot loader form MBR.

So after installing windows you will have re-install grub/bootloader

Boot in rescue mode and install grub :

a unasked question is
Can your computer even run Fedora 20 ?
dose this OLD xp computer have the Minimum specifications
you "can" install if there is 1 gig of ram
BUT 4 gigs of ram REALLY is needed

is the video card supported ?
the old ATI and Nvidia cards ARE NOT SUPPORTED !!!
my old xp computer has a 3.5 in floppy
3.5 infloppy drives ARE NOT supported .

reinstalling XP will remove fedora

you will likely need to reinstall fedora
research this VERY VERY VERY thoroughly , it can be done but ....

Thanks a lot for the clear guide! So helpful!

Thank you for the points you stated! My PC has one GB of RAM. A 2.6 GHz CPU and a GeForce 6200 VGA. If the new version didn't support the hardware, I've to try some older version.

look into the lxde or xfce spins which are designed for lower spec machines.

GeForce 6200
these are currently supported with the "325.15 " driver
BUT
they are the very very last

the 6000's will be going end of life very soon

1 gig of ram really is not enough to run gnome3 that fedora 20 uses BY DEFAULT
nor is it enough for kde4

use a "light weight" desktop manager like xfce or lxde

firefox uses a bit of ram so BE WARNED
as i an typing it is using 419 Meg of ram

as to old versions

Warning:
DO NOT !!!!!!!!!!!
Do not use old unsupported versions of fedora !!!!

fedora has a VERY short life span
only 13 months !!!
With a new version released every 6 months
you really DO NEED to upgrade to the new version about every 6 months !!!

http://spins.fedoraproject.org/
the lxde version should work fine
http://spins.fedoraproject.org/lxde/

BUT
on older hardware it might be best to use a VERY !!! conservative LONG life operating system

like CentOS 6.5
cent is a free rebuild of redhats RHEL 6.5

and is in the same family as fedora

BUT
Cent is mainly a "server" and "business Office" operating system

it "can" be used for home general purpose computing
BUT a lot of care needs to be taken

as you can see from my Sig. ( see below )
i run ScientificLinux 6.5 ( also a free rebuild of RHEL 6.5)
BUT i do NOT use it as my everyday OS
i use it for some software that NEEDS the 10 year lifespam

my everyday operating system is OpenSUSE and NOT redhat

Another way to experiment with Linux is by purchasing a device such as a Chromebook or Android phone/tablet. This would give you Linux with zero effort on your part, and no risk to your existing Windows install. :)

Special thanks for the key points and guides you provided!
They were very informative to me!

Yes, I have an older PC. Some minutes ago I inserted an old Fedora 9 CD to give it a try but the disk had some problem and the PC didn't boot it.
I've to find a better way : ))

---------- Post added 03-19-14 at 11:12 PM ----------

I thank you all for kindly spending time and answering the questions!