I need to install XP on my linux system. Is there any way to do this without a major headache. Currrenly running FC 3 x86_64 on a 2 sata drive system. both drive are set up as an LVM.


Any help would be appreciated

I don't have an answer but I have noticed in reading about Linux installation that the manuals etc. always seem to say that Windows more or less demands to be on first, that it tries to take over the Master Boot Record (MBR). Linux is much more civilized and can adapt to the other. But I'm not sure of the details.

The problem I have is that most co's and websites in the US require the use of M$ products and formats. This is the unfortunate reality which is requiring me to reinstall XP on my system.

hi paul85
u can install window xp on linux system but u have to make sure window is installed in 1st primary partition. And yes it will overwrite MBR but that is not a prob.
first confirm whether u r using lilo or grub.

here are the link that will be helpful:
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...=fc4+dual+boot
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...=fc4+dual+boot

search around u will find more help as this is most common problem posted a million times....

I am using grub. Is it possible to put XP in a partition on the second drive?

You could unplug the other drive, it is the only thing I can think of. Windows doesn't give you a choice, it just installs in the blank space and kills the MBR. If there is no free space, it deletes what you have.

Slightly off-topic:
Most websites do NOT require MS products and formats. Quite the opposite. In several years of using Linux, I have only had 3 or 4 episodes of a site not working. In some cases, they fixed it immediately.

To your question:
The easy way is to install Windows first--making sure that you leave empty (unpartitioned) space for Linux.
You can install windows on another drive and then either swap them, or configure grub to re-map them.

Search in LQ for Saikee and look at the links in his sig.

Unfortunately when it comes to documents a lot of companies only recognize Word or text formats. Some do not recognized RTF or even PDF!

This is quite frustrating when you are present or put a document to some one.

I have a very high success rate in saving from OpenOffice in MS Office formats. The biggest issue is usually fonts.

To not be able to handle PDF is ludicrous. PDF is often required for consumers. If a company somehow cant deal with PDF, I would go so far as to say that their IT dept is incompetent. (this, however, does NOT make the top-ten list of IT horror-stories)

I think one of the most important trends in the next few years will be standardization of formats. Massachusetts of course is in the news---also the efforts announced by MS.

here is one more link where u can find how to recover boot loader
http://www.gnulinuxclub.org/index.ph...d=170&Itemid=5

Paul85: if you only need windows for browsing & word processing might I suggest a virtual desktop system like VMWare workstation? It would be easier than rebuilding your whole box to include windows and allows you to limit how much room windows has ... plus I find it fun to set restore points on VMWare and purposely infect IE as a demonstration then just restore

Apparently the only thing which is free from VMWare is the server-beta, everything else costs.


Would it be possible to intall XP on the second drive and place the linux swap after the windows partition?


As usual M$ "Gates" has to come first and rule

1. Create your rescue disk on Linux .
2. Boot your system with XP installing disk . Then install XP .
3. After install XP successfully , restart your system ..
4. Using rescue disk to go to Linux (because your MRB to over-written by XP)
5. Reinstall your grub .

That's all .
For more info , see your Linux system document .

nguyennh:

Are you sure that XP doesn't destroy more (like complete partitions) when it is installed? I honestly don't know.

I don't have much experience with installing XP (did that exactly ONCE...BURP). But isn't it true that XP simply wipes out all your data on the partition where you want to install?

I agree that XP should be installed first. I have NO idea how to tell XP to coexist with a better OS.

These are the steps I would propose:

- tar every linux partition
- store the tarred file(s) somewhere (another partition, another disk, network)
- install XP leaving sufficient unpartitioned space
- boot from Knoppix or equivalent, create Linux partitions etc.
- do a grub-install in the documented way such that XP boots from the first disk, first partition.

jlinkels

[Edited out: nguyennh said what I was saying already]