I have a machine with 2 hds, one has linux on it, and one has winxp (ntfs). Right now, I have the other hd in there so I can listen to the mp3's on the drive from linux (because Linux can't write to ntfs). But since I have the other OS (winxp) I might as well offer it as an option to boot from.

So, how can I set up Slackware 9.1 (I have lilo) to give me the option to boot from XP or Linux, with Linux being the default?

have a look here

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...der=descending

good luck.

I did do a search here (and on google) for info on what Im trying to do. I haven't been able to solve my problem. I think my problem is too specific, and the information already out there, too vast. Can you help my narrow the info already listed on the site?

run /sbin/liloconfig

man lilo

I boot WinXP, Mandrake and Fedora. Windows is on /dev/hda1, Mandrake is on /dev/hda9, and Fedora is on /dev/hda8.

Like this: (my lilo.conf)

boot=/dev/hda
map=/boot/map
default="Windows"
keytable=/boot/us.klt
prompt
nowarn
timeout=100
message=/boot/message
menu-scheme=wb:bw:wb:bw
image=/boot/vmlinuz
label="Mandrake"
root=/dev/hda9
initrd=/boot/initrd.img
append="devfs=mount resume=/dev/hdb1 splash=silent idebus=66"
vga=788
read-only
image=/boot/vmlinuz-2.4.22-1.2174.nptl
label="Fedora"
root=/dev/hda8
initrd=/boot/initrd-2.4.22-1.2174.nptl.img
append="devfs=mount acpi=ht resume=/dev/hdb1 idebus=66"
read-only
other=/dev/hda1
label="Windows"
table=/dev/hda

Windows is the default because I'm not the only one here that uses the computer.
In your case, it depends on what drive Windows is on and what drive Slack is on, and then on which partition your are booting Slack from.

You could probably use my lilo as an example for editing yours, adding the Windows entries as they are in mine, but change the drive assingment. In my case, Windows is on my primary master, hda, partition 1 (hda1)If your Windows drive is the primary slave it would be hdb, and likely partition 1 (hdb1). Gee, can Windows even boot from other than primary master if it was originally installed as such?

Save a copy of your lilo.conf before you make changes. If things go wrong you can boot with a linux boot disk and copy your old lilo.conf back then run as root /sbin/lilo. Then you should be back to square 1.

Above all, don't forget to run /sbin/lilo as root after any changes to lilo.conf.
Then you can re-boot.

Hope I make some sense here. Would love to hear back from you the results.

Glenn Johnson
gjonhz@comcast.net
Running Mandrake 10 and Fedora Core 1

Thanks! Im pretty confident that I can get it done from the info you guys provided. (Maybe overconfident/nieve :-)) Ill definently know how it turns out!

This sounds close to my problem but I dont understand the file you are referring to. I have 2 hard drives, WindowsXP installed on the 1st and just misc files on the second. I want to install Linux on the 2nd hard drive and just switch between the two. So I need to clear drive 2, and then boot from cd to install Linux. How will I be able to switch between the two operating systems? Sorry if this is a dumb question, I am a noob and eager to learn. Thanks

You install linux on the second drive, and during the installation process you will be prompted to configure and install a bootloader (a program that allows you to choose the operating system to boot when you turn on or reboot the PC, and then loads it). Depending on what distribution you choose, you'll use either the Lilo or Grub bootloader.

PaintStorm, you can't 'switch' from one OS to another, per se. You need to reboot your computer and run choose Linux from the menu. Then if you're running Linux and need to go to Windows you need to reboot again.

Don't forget to save/archive the misc files on your drive before you install Linux.
Kovacs is right. The install process will configure dual boot for you..

Great, another quick question. The 2nd drive I was using just for games and music files. It had 12g on it. I erased everything and went to format it but it says that it's in use and forcing a format would destroy data. Under properties it still shows that it has 12g. So I am confused, Do I need to format the disk, if so will forcing it mess something up? I understand that I need to create a partition but I understand it as the 2nd drive is the partition so what do I do. I guess I am concerned that there maybe some misc windows files from games on there that will interfere with the Linux install. What should I do, thanks for the help.

Don't worry, your installation CD wil ask you to partition ans will format the second HD.
No file will remain and interfere.
After install, you'll have the choice at boot between linux and something else.

Good luck, Marc A

hah, im such a noob, with mandrake 10.0, there are 3 cd's, I heard I have to boot with the 2nd disk, So if I am installing for the first time start with the 2nd disk?

Start with the first.

Yeah it was the 2nd. For some reason when you put in disk 1 it just wouldnt boot from cd, just went straight to windows. Put in disk 2 and it started, then you have to switch back when prompted. Thanx for the help guys