Hi,

I know this is the most basic question, but as you can see I am a newbie ) I have Windows XP on one hard drive and I think Windows formatted on the other (I previously used it for 98 and can access it through WinXP). So how in basic steps do I install Linux on my D: drive, so that when I boot, I can choose which hard drive.

I don't mind if its easier going into BIOS, but I'm not sure the best method.

Also, I am interested in installing Snort for IDS. Is a tar.gz designed specifically for Linux and will it work as a zip file in Windows?

Many thanks

Antony

The distro you are installing should prompt you for partitioning and where you are going to install. /dev/hda is ur 1st hard drive (windows) /dev/hdb is where you are going to put Linux. The bootloader should fully recongize that windows is on the machine. You will have the choice at boot up. That boot loader will over-write windows mbr, so if you remove linux you will need to fix that.

this is what i do i have xp too

i boot linux from cd

it will give you to choose linux or dos i select dos

when it's tell you to choose "use disk druid" or "manaul "

select "manual"

then i select on my "Drive D:"

if you have partition on it click reset or delete i'm not sure

then click new select "/boot" i put 102 mb for boot

click new again select "swap " put "how much ram you have multiple 2 "

click new again select "/ " i put all the rest of my Drive D:

that's it for me

i'm not sure what the expert in linux do. this is just what i do.

if i want to remove linux from hdd . what should i do? and what should i do with boot loader too

Alright - I'm bored, which means that today is your lucky day.
Here is the correct* way to do this

(*Depending on who you ask )

1. You will be installing to /dev/hdb

2. Insert your install CD, and partition it as follows:
Create a new partition, type ext2, size 1G (1024MB)
Create a second partition, type Linux Swap, size = 2x RAM (Ex. - You have 64M of RAM, make this drive 128M)
Create a third partition, type reiserfs, size the remainder of the drive.

3. Install your OS. Pay attention to the label of the "root" drive (/) It will be something like /dev/hdb3. The number is what we are looking for. It will also ask you where you want to mount the 1G partition, as it is unused. Choose /boot.

4. BOOTLOADER - When it asks about installing a bootloader, GRUB, lilo, etc - choose to install it to "root" or "superblock"

5 MAKE A BOOT FLOPPY!!!!!!!!!!! This is VERY important.

6. Once you are installed, and it tells you to reboot, do so, with your new Boot Floppy in the drive.

7. Start Linux, and go into X - (startx)

8. Get your internet working - if you need help, come back here.

9. Open a terminal window (the linux "Command Prompt") and type the following:
10. Now, open a browser, and go to your favorite webmail site (yahoo, comcast, time warner, etc....)

11. Compose a new message to yourself, and attach ~/Desktop/bootsect.lin

12. Reboot, without the floppy. You should load into Windows.

13. Go out, and get your e-mail. Save the attachment to C:\

14 Add the following to your boot.ini file (Right Click "My Computer">Properties. Click the Advanced Tab, Settings button under "Startup and Recovery" Click the Edit button, and copy and paste)
15. Reboot, and you should see two entries when it starts - "Windows XP" and whatever you named the Linux line in boot.ini. Choose Linux, and you should be all good!!!!!