Re: HELP - dual boot with ms-xp

["Mike Joyce" <mike-at-sherline.com>]

I've done this on many occasions, It is somewhat complicated but here is how
I have gone about doing it in the past:

I use a FreeBSD (or other UNIX variant boot disk) to manually partition the
hard drive into 2 (or whatever you wish) for this example lets say 10gb for
the first 20gb for the second, on a 30gb drive.

Now it is very important to install Windows FIRST because it will stomp on
your mbr and install its own boot loader without prompting. Just install
windows in the normal fashion - just make sure you install on the second
partition. Windows shouldn't have an addressing problems like Linux does
(the boot loader handles 32bit int's whereas lilo and grub only handle 16).

Once you have Windows installed now you go and install your Linux. The main
problem I have encountered is that Lilo will not allow a boot partition more
than 3gb away from the mbr. This is due to the lack of addressing space
mentioned above. This problem might be defeated with later versions of
grub - I haven't really tested it. Linux should install lilo / grub onto the
mbr, you now need to config the boot loader to boot the Windows partition as
well. I'll assume that isn't a problem, but if it is I can walk you through
it. Once you have that, voila. Dual booting machine with Windows and Linux /
Unix.

It should be noted, that I have experienced problems before with Linux not
recognizing the hard drive correctly, and miss counting blocks and then
stomping all over the windows partition. I've only really experienced this
once or twice, and only with anaconda installs. It would be a good idea to
put some space in between the partitions so that os's don't run all over
each other. The default space is like 8 sectors. With larger disks I usually
put 50-100mb between them as to minimize the risk of any foul play between
the two. Although the best option is to go with 2 independent disks. The
single disk option is doable if done correctly.

This is not the only way to do it, you can install Linux first then Windows,
you will just need to repair the Linux / UNIX boot loader after the windows
install, because there is no way to get windows to play kind with the boot
loader (that I know of, at least).


--
Mike Joyce
Network Administrator
Sherline Products
mike-at-sherline.com

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ray Henry" <rehenry-at-up.net>
To: "Multiple recipients of list" <emc-at-nist.gov>
Sent: Friday, May 09, 2003 7:19 AM
Subject: HELP - dual boot with ms-xp


>
>
> I need to shrink an xp install and make space for linux and EMC on a Dell
PC.
> Dual boot using Grub or Lilo would be nice.
>
> I'm completely ignorant of how to do this and what effect it might have on
> the use of the MS recover disk when that other os goes to the hot place.
>
> As the Beetles used to say, "Help me if you can, I'm feeling down /And I
do
> appreciate your being round..."
>
> Ray
>
>
>