linux and winxp dual boot GRUB OR LINO

[crotchetybuffalo]

Can someone give me the correct sequence of steps to add Linux to a winxp as a dual boot system have read all the documentation and was wanting the URL maybe for the most current approach as I have to do a systems admin subject and need to install the Red hat linux 7.2 on my system before 14th July
thanks in advance
Gen

 

[AP81]

There is no right or wrong way, nor correct steps. It's a matter of personal preference, and what you feel most comfortable doing.

The easiest way is to make a partition for windows, then another for linux. Then install Windows to the first, then install Linux to the second using the automatic partitioning option. It is almost foolproof. It is also a good idea to make a third so you can have a partition for both Windows and Linux to Share.

I prefer making my partitions before hand with fdisk, cfdisk, or partition magic. If you choose to make your partitions before hand, you just specify the mount points during installation. If doing this way, make three partitions 60MB (for boot), double your RAM in MB for <swap>, and whatever for root. This is just my preference, but you will find manual paritioning is the preferred way for most users, and the only way in some distributions. If you don't know what you are doing, just do an automatic partition when installing.

Finally, select to install GRUB on the MBR. It is usually the default for Red Hat. After, you should have a dual boot system.

 

[xutopia]

crotchetybuffalo,

The big problem people face when they want to install Linux is that Windows already takes up all the space on the hard drive. What I did is bought Partition Magic to resize my Windows partition and create new ones for Linux.

If you cannot afford Partition Magic or prefer to not pay for software you could also backup all the data from your windows partition to CDs or a server through FTP (might require a huge amount of space depending on your setup)

Once backed up you can safely delete all your partitions. Create a smaller Windows partition to leave space for Linux. The good thing about reinstalling Windows is that you will have less things in the registry. Every time you install and uninstall a program in Windows something stays in the registry. It's a good idea to clean it up completely once in a while.

After your Windows is properly installed you can reboot with your Linux CD and follow the instructions. The best bet is to follow default values when unsure! Lilo or GRUB? Just take whatever your distribution prefers, they both do the same things.

Gary

http://www.xutopia.com

Haran
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