help installing dual boot linux & win xp pro
 

I need help, I have never used linux and I want to learn. I plan to format my laptop and set it up to dual boot win xp pro and linux. I have not really messed with formating computers and installing os's since win98. my plan is to set up 3 partitions one for linux one for xp and one for install cd's (so when windows screws up I dont have to have my cd's handy). I have the cd for linux 7.1 (a friend recomended i dont go higher because after 7.1 linux becomes a space hog like windows). I have a compac presario 2100 w/40gig hd, 512meg ram, amd xp 1800 processer.
The Q's i have are what is the best way to partition my hd? should i change my plan for partitions? what are lilo and grub? which os should i load first? is there anyware with "detailed" instructions for what i am doing? should I use rh9, rh8, or stay with 7.1? Any help would be greatly appriciated.
thanks
-B

I have Win XP Pro and Red Hat 9 on a Compaq N600c laptop. I made three partitions, A, B, C, representing 25%, 50%, and 25% drive space respectively. I installed XP first and the only thing not recognised was the NIC driver. I then installed RH 8 and it picked up all the drivers needed. I used GRUB as the boot loader, if you pay attention to the screen and the questions asked, you should have no problem loading the two OSs. The most difficult thing is choosing the monitor type, if you are going to use a GUI xwindows. After RH was up and running, I went out to Compaq (now HP) and got the driver I needed for the NIC under Windows. How convenient!

Partitions areas follows:
A = NTFS
B = FAT32
C = auto-partitioned by Linux

The B partition is used by both operating systems for storage and downloading and sharing, without having to get into SMB shares.

Well after the fact, I upgraded RH to version 9 - no issues.

This configuration has lasted a year without blowing up, and RH runs so nicely, that if I did not have certain admin tools on the XP side, I would make the whole thing Linux.

I can't stress enough - pay attention to the loading screens! Read evertything.

Good luck!

i would recommend a FAT swap partition. this way, you can move stuff from your winblowze partition to your linux and back (linux cant write to ntfs right now)

Install XP first.During Linux installation, tell it not to use the MBR, but the partition you choose.Use GRUB, instead of Lilo, because it's easier, as boot loader.Don't forget to make a boot diskette during installation:it may be useful if problem.

That is the FAT32 partition.