hello..

i want to install mandriva beside the winxp..i have Dell inspiron 1300 laptop..


i want to make c: partiition for win xp
d: partition for linux_mandriva
e: ntfs partition for documents and other files

i already have winxp on the c: and i partition the rest of the hard to make d: for the linux and installed the linux on it but when i reboot it will directly run the windows as if there is no linux!!!

then i formatted and re-partitioned the hard so i've istalled the winxp on the d: and the linux on c: and now its only running linux and just like no winxp onn the d:.....so is there a way to install both of them and when i start the pc choose either of them???

it's my first time trying dual boot in my pc...so i dont know what's the problem....!!!!

Dude, when you try to install an OS along with Windows on a separate partition, make sure that the partition is a Primary partition. If it is a Logical partition, you may end up overwriting the boot files, of the existing OS, on Master Boot Record.

ok ok i think here's the prob.....i dont know what's the difference b/t the primary and the logical partition....so if i want to put the xp on c: and the linux on d: so how should i partition the hard disk and how????

i partitioned the hard using the utility withing the linux during installation....i deleted the pre existing d and made a new one ext3 and another swap and continued installation...is that all???



it's my first time trying dual booting....so i think that am missing somethig critical...so what do u think the error?? how can i install an OS on the d: drive??

No man, that is NOT all! You, yet, do not know if 'D' is a Primary Partition or Logical. While setting up the partition to install Linux, you can see as to which one is a Primary partition and which one is a Logical one. Another way is to check before inserting the Linux DVD/CD, i.e., on Windows, right-click on My Computer and goto Manage->Disk Management. Here, the drives in Dark blue are all primary. You can safely install Linux on that. But, if it is not, then use some softwares like Partition Magic to convert that to a Primary partition and then install Linux on that! OR even better, why not install VMware and then run a virtual OS?

i did what u've told me and it's only c: as primary ....so how can i create another primary partition???

as i told u it's my first time trying dual booting system...so b patient with me..hhh...thanx

Please download a copy of Partition Magic for Windows and install it. After that, just use the tool and convert the existing 'D' (Logical) to a Primary partition. Then you can install Linux on this!

ok but just before doing this....

let's say that i will install linux on d: and now i made the d: as primary then i started to install linux,i have to delete this partition to create a ext3 partition and swap....so what's the use of making it primary now if i'll delete it later??

or it's just work like this and i should do it??

No, it does not work like that. Actually, some Linux distros like Debian etc. have an option of converting a partition into a Primary one after formatting. But, say, Fedora does not convert it. Instead, it just formats the partition filesystem. While this may not be a primary one! I guess you got it now. Otherwise, when you had installed some Linux OS, it would not have removed the Windows boot files!

Previously, i cant install Xubuntu on Logical partition, and also have dual boot menu of Win and Xubuntu. Some Linux distro accept you install it on Logical partition, but you should use Primary partition for it.

Use Hiren Boot CD or Ultimate Boot CD to create.

But i think you have a prob with install boot menu on MBR

Which country are you from? I am sorry for I slept very early last night. Otherwise, I could have helped you last night itself.

thanx u all...i'll try convertind the d: into pimary partition and see if it works and i'll tell u the results....thanx

Yeah, even I had installed Ubuntu on a Logical partition. I think it may convert it into Primary while installing. But other OSs like Fedora etc. do not allow this. I have never been able to install on Logical with these

thaaaaank u so much Deepumint....it worked....by partition magic i've made D: into primary then installed the mandriva on it and it worked...now both win and linux r working properly....

thank u so so much...

Yeah man! Welcome to the world of Linux. Your next objective should be removing Windows permanently! Be active on the forum BTW, we are here to help.