Linux Installation

[eggenstein]

Just wondering anybody have any links for installing linux and windows together, with the option to choose OS at startup?

I'm a total newb and just want some guides or something!!

[aidanjt]

http://www.howtoforge.com/windows_linux_dual_boot

Here's one way, post if you have any questions/problems.

[jackvdbuk]

ur right where i was a couple of week ago, evryone will tell u to resreach u lazy git!! but ill help ya along

make sure you just have your windows install connected to your mobo.

run a defrag/chdsk and check you have a valid bootloader already.

boot linux off the disc, when it comes to where you want to partition choose your NTFS HDD, and move the slider to how big you want the new windows partition to be (the remaining part will be used for linux)

wait for it to complete and carry on with the install.

reboot and you should now be able to view GRUB bootloader to choose which OS, to change the starting OS, you have to edit a document (research your self) under linux, its the /boot/grub/menu.lst file, you have to edit the partition to first boot off.



thats as much as i can remeber, theres alot of info on these types of problems online already!

btw id get this infomatino from a recomonded source, as im probably just the same as u a Noob

[aidanjt]

One point on using GRUB as your bootloader, when you reinstall windows it will overwrite GRUB leaving your Linux installation inaccessable until you reinstall GRUB to the MBR.

[eggenstein]

cheers guys

[ikonia]

jackDVD - if you don't know what your saying don't say anything

You've just given someone a random half bit of information that is ubuntu specicifc.

a.) parts of your info are wrong
b.) not all distros work/install the same as ubuntu

if unsure its better to say nothing rather than give wrong advice - more so when that advice could break his whole install

[alsenior]

ususally most linux installs install grub but some (like slackware)still use lilo(LInux LOader) i know that all the major distos use grub now though as it is easier to configure and repair

[kalniel]

I think Jack was just trying to help - I think it was pretty clear that he wasn't saying he was the worlds leading expert

The process *is* usually very simple, assuming you have a new hard drive to play with and don't have to worry about running out of primary partitions.

Assuming you have a new hard drive and no existing installs, the process goes something like this:

1) Start with the windows install.
2) Don't accept the default partition advice in the windows install, but instead select the option that allows you to create partitions.
3) Create a partition or two at the start of the disk for windows. Don't give all the disk to these partitions, leave a chunk of space for linux to play with.
4) Finish the windows installation.
5) Now boot from your recent linux distribution disk. *Most* distributions now have very easy installers, and they will see the empty space after your windows partition and set up their own partitions for you from that. The installer should also load a boot loader into the MBR (master boot record) which is the thing that allows you to select which OS to boot from. This is not the only option for bootloaders, but is the simplest.

As noted reinstalling windows, or repairing the MBR, can cause the boot loader to be lost. If this happens you can use a linux floppy or bootable CD to specify which partition you want to boot to - so you can tell it to boot into your linux partition, but you really won't have to worry about that most of the time and you'll find the instuctions about that on the web/help pages within linux (some installers offer to create a boot floppy for you as part of the install).

Having more than two windows partitions on the same physical disk complicates things a little, as you start having to worry about extended partitions and whatnot - these aren't really all that hard to understand, but it's simpler not to worry about them

[ikonia]

and thats how it SHOULD have been done,

I know Jack was trying to help and he certainly didn't say he was an expert, but that doesn't change the fact that giving people wrong or missleading advice is not a good thing to do as its not nice to waste other peoples time or potentially damage their system, even if its not intentional.

not telling people to move sliders that could destory the disk - or that application doesn't exist.

Or resizine ntfs partitions that not all distros can do ?

or running defrag to see if you have a bootloader ???

Trying to help is great, but when your saying things that are just not accurate or factual on something that could destroy his whole PC install, thats what I'm asking not to do.

Your post makes no specific reference to distros, commands, or non-factual info.

You specify the proedure, great advice like "don't assign all the disk to windows" is much better than making assumptions that ntfs can be resized

Other great advice things like make sure you start with windows pre-installed etc.

as I said - thats how a post should be made in my opinion. Nicley done

[yamangman]

ususally most linux installs install grub but some (like slackware)still use lilo(LInux LOader) i know that all the major distos use grub now though as it is easier to configure and repair

You talk as if it's not 'easy to use' it's obsolete. You'll find LILo is just as easy to configure and 'repair' as grub.

[directhex]

You talk as if it's not 'easy to use' it's obsolete. You'll find LILo is just as easy to configure and 'repair' as grub.

the problem with lilo is if you make a config error, you're screwed - whilst with grub you can still use the grub console & get into your system

i use grub everywhere except on my office desktop, for assorted reasons

[kalniel]

the problem with lilo is if you make a config error, you're screwed - whilst with grub you can still use the grub console & get into your system

If you mess up lilo just boot off a floppy and point to the right partition.