How to Install Suse Linux 64 bit for dual boot with XP x64?
 

Hello everybody,

I'm new on the forum and I would need some advices about how to properly install Suse Linux 11 64 bit on my laptop (with AMD Turion x2 x64). Currently I have Windows XP Professional x64 as operating system and I will prepare a new partition for the Linux installation. Should I take care of something before/during the installation, or it will install itself and will setup automaticaly the dual-boot configuration?
I am also thinking of installing BackTrack Linux for dual boot with xp x64, would there be some differencies by the installation?

Thanks a lot in advance for your answers.

Conrad

Have you considered a Virtual machine instead?

The usual process is to backup and test backup of system. Then defrag and try to reduce C: drive and make a new partition.

Then install suse or opensuse.

Choice is left to boot loader.

Thank you for your reply!
Why is virtual machine recommendable in this case? Would dual-booting windows / linux make some difficulties? If not, I would like to go for dual-boot and I would need some more detailed instructions on how to do it.
I would be grateful for a (little bit) more detailed guide.

Thank you.

Conrad

You can go for a dual boot .
Standard procedure
backp up you're data
Defrag you're windows partition
Shrink you're windows partition or let opensuse installer do the shrinking
WRite GRUB in MBR
Or use bootini from windows to boot both OS , in that case write GRUB on opensuse boot partition

I can't count how many thousands of people have borked their system with dual boots. It is not longer a really needed task thanks to virtual machine and supported hardware. Many newer systems fully support virtual machines at native speeds. You don't run the risk of borking your Windows system. Since you are new I only want to suggest a safer way. The only more safe than VM's are live cd's or even live usb flash drives. CD's are kind of slow but you will find that flash drive installs are quite useable and may also be a good choice for your.

One problem with shrinking a partition is it may or may not work. Some programs are locked to a spot on the drive and you many loose important data.

Second is recovery partitions. Don't know how many people have erased theirs. Again not needed in a VM.

I'd tell a newbie
Live CD/DVD's
Flash drive installs
And then VM's
Then dual boot.

See www.pendrivelinux.com