multiple boots without windows
 

I am trying to find out how to install Fedora 5, Mandriva, Ubuntu, and Suse, on the same 40GB hard drive. It seems that the only examples that I have found have windows as part of the installation. I want only Linux. I was wondering what type and size the partitions should be. Should I install them in any particular order? I would appreciate any help that you could give me. Please let me know, if I am in the wrong forum. Thanks again.

billdwyer

Even if you need only Linux, you need to use a bootloader (grub, lilo or some other). Installation order should not matter...only thing you should remember is not to install a bootloader on any subsequent linux installation after the first one. You can easily add the other OSes later on. I prefer grub and it is extremely flexible and easy to manage. As you can see I run four flavors, all on one hard drive. Slackware is my primary OS with grub managing all of them.

Tux,

You'll probably find all the installers for that lot have trouble detecting other Linux installs, so you'll have some hand-updating to do.
Might be best to install all bar one into the (root) partition rather then MBR.

Have a look at saikee sig-line; he has a guide that should help.

I have 7 system on my disk.
Install your system manually, choose what best partition you'll need.
Manage what system should boot at the 1st time, that'll be the last OS you've installed.

One/single SWAP partition is enough for all OS, to save space.

Edit your grub bootloader configuration if you want to change ways to boot.

Regards