Hai does anybody know how to install windows over linux(dualboot)
i have installed RHEL5.3 and when i insert the windows cd and restart just a black screen appears...
i want to know how to partition linux to install windows?

If you have installed Linux with default layout. Then am afraid your linux OS has utilized all HD. If that's the case you will have to repartition your HD.

For example:

if your HD is 80 GB, Use a partitioning utility like fdisk to make C,D drives for your windows xp and leave unpartitioned space for Linux.Then install your xp on your previously partitioned drive first(if you install linux then after installing Xp your MBR will be over written and you will have to repair). and then install linux choosing "Use free disk space option from installation Disk Durid utility).

The easiest option to install windows is to install it as guest operating system on Linux using Virtualbox.



Cheers!!

Thanks for ur reply!!! baig...
but i want to dual boot the system...
and could u describe the steps here...

I hope you have some basic knowledge of installing any OS.

Possible Steps are as following:

1. Boot with a partitioning utility form your startup.
2. Repartition your HDD. Leave desired free space unpartitioned for Linux OS.
3. Once repartitioning is done, simply insert your xp cd and install windows OS.
4. Once your are done with w$n installation, Insert your Linux Distribution CD/DVD and enter into installation setup as directed.
5. Go through the screens and give answers to few questions.
6. When asked for "Partition used for Linux OS" select "Use Free Space with default output" option and click next
7. Select your Gui "Gnome or KDE" and other programs if installing from a DVD. else i will install you the default installation from CD.

8. Once installation is completed and your computer reboots, now you should have Grub/Lilo OS selection screen on start up. form there you can choose what to boot either Linux or windows.



Cheers!!

Use linux fdisk to partition the drive in to required partitions and then install linux and windows together in a single system.

hi baig...
once again thanks for ur reply...


but i have installed linux already...
can i partition now and install windows w.o. affecting linux...
is there any partition tool with which we can partition within linux and reboot to get windows installed(with win cd inserted)...?

you will still have to supply a partition for M$ if there is not one already.
preferably place it 1st on the drive, in front of the existing lnx partition.

then install M$ with your M$ cd - the lnx will now fail to boot, as the M$ will
overwrite the mbr of the hdd.

you will now need to re-install grub, from the live cd of your current lnx O/S.

then, you will be able to dual-boot.

ok fine... tell me the steps to create M$ partition...

eesiva,

You can shrink an existing partition to make space for Windows but ...
a) you may loose you data in the process
b) Windows must be installed on one of the first four partitions.
that can reduce your options for installing Linux then Windows.

Back up any data you want to save from Linux.
Install Windows but manually partition the drive, leaving space for Linux.
Now install Linux into the space you reserved when you installed Windows.
At this point, you have Linux installed and booting and Windows installed but it may not be bootable

Fix your grub.conf to boot Windows too.

i want to know how to install windows over linux
now i don care abt data..
so if there is a way anybody please describe it in detailed steps...



Regards,
Siva T

so you want to get ride of red hat and have a MS windows ONLY computer .
if that is the case then use Gparted live cd to reformat the drive to ntfs OR blank -- no formating .
then insert the xp cd ( or vista) and install .

no john...
i was just asking these things for learning purpose...
i want to know whether it is possible to install windows over linux or not...
i am learning for RHCE... though it is an unnecessary ques for RHCE i like to know this for learning purpose...
so anybody guide me if u can....

yes it is possible BUT MS Windows DOSE like to be on the FIRST partition of the FIRST drive .
there is a way to fool Windows into thinking it is , when in fact it is not . But that can be a pain to set up sometimes .
Also seeing as windows likes to turn EVERYTHING into a "ntfs" formated MS only computer . That is the defult settings on the install cd's .
The recommended way is to install Windows FIRST( in the first partition on the first drive) then to install Linux or Unix or Mac .