Can I install Linux on a machine that already has Win2K on it?

nicktoop · 11-15-2004, 07:05 AM

I am new to Linux. I have some familiarity with Unix on old Sun machines.
I would like to install Linux as an alternative OS on a machine which already has Win2K on it (and a large unused/unformatted disk partition).

I would have to download the Linux software using the Win2K machine.

I am not clear how to proceed... do I use the Win2K machine to download some binary images, burn them as CDs and then "boot" from one of these? Is there a tutorial to tell me exactly how?

Will the Win2K (currently on c) remain intact?

I guess the info I need is already on you site.. can you tell me where?

Regards,
Nick Toop

hari_s_82 · 11-15-2004, 07:14 AM

The method u suggested of downloading and burning will work fine. Tthe Win2K u have in ur C drive will remain intact. ok.

. Try not to install Linux in the secondary partition of Win2K, eventhough it might be free.

.

akilles · 11-15-2004, 07:15 AM

Hi.
This link: http://unclean.org/howto/dualboot.html
would be a good place to start. I would suggest to also read up on using the windows boot-manager to boot linux.

There are MANY websites out there.
This is also a good place to start:http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/Linux/doc...ows-HOWTO.html
(The LinuxDocumentationProject)

m00t00 · 11-15-2004, 07:43 AM

woah. why the windows bootloader?

lilo or grub or others would do the job just fine/better.

akilles · 11-15-2004, 07:53 AM

I suggest using windows bootloader for persons new to Linux.
If something happens, and they don't want Linux anymore (I don't know why that would be..) they can edit the bootmanager and continue along the path they did, before installing Linux. This without having to re-install Windows completely...

Personally I use LILO, and find that to be just as good as Windows BM.

m00t00 · 11-16-2004, 04:25 PM

I use both grub and lilo, and find them to be better/easier to configure. and, should something happen, you do not need to reinstall windows, all that is needed is a simple "fixmbr" from the recovery console on the windows cd.

powdered_finn · 11-16-2004, 06:09 PM

Hi all,

Whether to use windows or linux bootloader depends, in my experience, on the distro. Use SuSE or Mandrake - no problem, lilo/grub recognises both OSs without any hassle. Use Debian (like I tried) and it might overwrite your MBR (master boot record) and there goes Win for ever (which may be a blessing...)

p_finn

mjrich · 11-16-2004, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Use Debian (like I tried) and it might overwrite your MBR (master boot record) and there goes Win for ever

...Well, you can always edit your /etc/lilo.conf or menu.lst to add in your old windows partition again. Usually it's just a matter of uncommenting out a few lines

But most distros these days, including the new Sarge installer, will autodetect a windows partition and add it to the boot menu anyway.

Cheers,

mj

powdered_finn · 11-17-2004, 03:35 PM

Hi mj,

Absolutely true. But at the time of installing Debian (Sarge it was, and it did ask where it should set the bootloader and warned about installing it on mbr) I was a complete ignoramus (and overly enthusiastic, neglecting readmes) concerning Linux and I just went happily along pressing enter. (D'Oh)

So a tip for ye all Linux beginners: Always read the documentation.

Bless ya,

p_finn

m00t00 · 11-18-2004, 07:04 AM

and a tip for you linux beginners.... if you install on mbr without an entry for windows just edit the config :/