Linux help!

[Aman]

Hey guys, I want to install Linux on my simple 7gb partition. I know that I can't install it using Winbloze XP, but was wondering if any third party software can allow me to dual-boot XP and Linux? Thanks.

[doughboy]

During the linux installation, you will be given the option to install a boot loader (or create a floppy boot disk)..

The standard linux bootloader(lilo) will do the job just fine and is very easy to configure.

[Aman]

The docs for Redhat say that I shouldn't install LILO on an NT OS's hard drive. See, I have WinXP on the drive, and then a partition of that drive is about 6 gig, I want to install Redhat on there.

Is there a way for me to have it so that it would default to booting up WinXP and then I can just make a boot disk if I want to get Linux up?

[doughboy]

IIRC, I used to have lilo dual booting linux & ntfs XP pro just fine.

If you don't want to put lilo on, then yes you can choose to create a boot disk. This leaves the mbr alone, so the machine will go straight to xp unless the floppy is in.

I always used to create a separate boot partition(of about 10meg or so) right at the start of the disc, but I'm not sure if you still need to do that these days.

[Inquisitor]

I haven't got the foggest about Linux, but a work collegue of mine said if you ever get stuck with Linux here are a few places you can try for help:

One (http://www.userlocal.com)

Two (http://www.liuxpackages.net)

Three (http://asic-linux.com.mx/~izto/checkinstall)

Hope these help :)

[Aman]

OK. So I install Linux on the partition. Won't it directly boot into Linux instead of Windows?

BTW: You do know that I want to install Linux on a PARTITION of the hard drive i Have XP installed on right?

[doughboy]

Aman, you can install linux on the same drive just as long as it's a separate partition to windows.

If you choose not to install lilo, then windows will boot as normal.

[Aman]

OK, will do Doughboy. Thanks a ton :)

[doughboy]

no probs m8...hope it goes ok for you, it's a very useful OS to have.

[Aman]

Originally posted by doughboy
no probs m8...hope it goes ok for you, it's a very useful OS to have.

Yeah, I had it before, but I needed windows because I wanted to get back into gaming. I went through a lot of Headaches reinstalling Winbloze so I decided I wasn't going to play around with Linux anymore, but hey, if I screw up, it doesn't matter because I am in desperate need of a format for my win XP drive anyway LOL!

[arckane]

Personally, I use GRUB as the bootloader, but that's just down to personal preference now, ain't it :)

Remember to select Windows XP as your default OS to boot if that's what you want ;)