more multi-boot XP/Linum questions

[joedan3]

I have a new system with 2 drives:
40gig (primary?)
20gig

I have created 4 drives:
c: 30gig fat32 (from primary 40g)
d: 10 gig fat32 (from primary 40g)
e: 10 gig fat32 (from 20g)
f: 10 gig fat32 (from 20g)

My objective is to install XP PRo into the c: drive (30g) and 'convert it' from fat to NTFS
I also want to install Mandrake 9.0 on e: drive.

I have a few questions; I have read the other related posts but keep getting other advice as well:

1) which OS to install first
2) if it is XP, can I have the drive c: be reformated as NTFS during XP install
3) can I install Mandrake on e: (as is my objective)
4) do I need other software such as system commander etc to control the partitions/boot.
5) If I use lilo, once I boot to XP, is there any 'interference' by linux - or is this simply a transfer of control to the XP OS?
6) Assuming (20 is correct i.e. XP first, is there a blow-by-blow process for getting Linux up without messing the XP installation
7) I was asked to get two drives and isolate the different OS - what is the advantage of this approach?

any help appreciated.

[Jiggy]

ok ill try to answer what i can.

1. XP
2. yes
3. yes, during install point it to e:
4. linux will give you a choice at start up(linux, NT, w2k)
5. dont know
6. install guide (http://www.linux-mandrake.com/en/doc/82/en/user.html/p468.html)

[CuratoR]

Ok, here I go,
Q1 Ans: XP First
Q2 Ans: Yes
Q3 Ans: Drive letter doesn't matter, its enough raw space that Mandrake needs to get installed, you have to partition a portion of your drive to probably three partitions, two EXT3 partitions and a swap. It has to be done during the setup.

Q4: No you don't, the Linux bootloader will give you the option to choose.

Q5: No interference! is simply the transfer of Control.

Q6: Make sure that you understand what you are doing, the tedious part is partitioning.

Q7: Yes theres advantage. There will be two bootloaders in two separate HDDS so there will be no risk of MBR getting messed up or overwritten by any one of the the OS. For Example: Re-installing windows will overwrite the MBR and only the XP will boot in-case of single HDD. There will be no such problem if OS are isolated on two separate drives.