Hello,

I am currently running win2k on c:\ and xp on d:\ (both in ntfs format). Due to the infrequent use of win2k, I want to install a linux in c:\ and leaving xp as it is. Is this possible without affecting windows xp. Reformat disk and reinstall xp is not an option for me since i've got many important applications installed in xp and it would take a lot of time to reinstall and reconfigure them. Are there any ways to get around this problem?

Thanks in advance!

Yes, it can be a problem because the xp install most likely is using some files on the c:\ paritition.
If you unhide system files, you should see NTLDR, NTDETECT.COM and BOOT.INI in the c:\ .
You need to get those copied over to the xp d:\ and edit that boot.ini .
It can be done, but I wouldn't mess with anything you don't have backed up and can't afford to lose.

Thanks for the quick reply! Would linux add my xp partition to its boot loader automatically in this case? What do I need to do with the three windows files after I backed them up?

As both 2000 and Xp are NT Style systems, I'm almost 100% sure that Lord Homie was saying that 2K and XP share the three files in question. So if you are getting rid of the 2000 partition, then those files need to be moved to the XP partition and the boot.ini need to be modified to reflect the lack of 2000 and such (don't know the exact modifications needed here).

As far as the boot-loader goes, if all goes well you will have the option of selecting Linux or XP. However, I seem to remember some reports of XP not playing well with Linux. If this happens I suggest going the route of Partition Magic and using their OS selector (this will require you to load the boot-loader of Linux on a /boot partition during the install instead of on the Master Boot Record of you hard disk).

As always, back up your data first. If you have the ability to back up your Hard Disk via an image (Drive Image, Ghost, etc.) that may be even better.

Hope this helps somewhat.

Yep, the boot.ini needs to be modified. I would get that part working before you try to load linux. Perhaps you could post your boot.ini and the partition layout here.

Thanks guys! My actual disk partitation is a bit more complicated than what I mentioned at the beginning. But it's nothing more than a few more ntfs partitions for storing my downloaded files and backup of works, e.g. musics, softwares, documents etc. What's seems another problem to me is that will the disk name (e.g. d, e,f) change after I get rid of c:\? and if the answer is true, will my windows xp working any more?

There is a real danger that you not have a working xp if you remove the c:\ . I would be sure to do backups before making any changes.

I concure: Back-up as much as humanly possible, especially data.

As for the partitions, they should just move down a letter. Some programs might need to be reconfigured, as not only the partitions should move down a letter, but the CD-Roms should drop as well.

If I remember correctly though, if you want to store files on the storage drives from linux you are SOL, as Linux can only read NTFS (I think). Maybe Homie can verify this.

Good luck and Banzi!