2 operation systems [Archive] - The PC Guide Discussion Forums

NeWbiE :-)

09-24-2005, 02:33 AM

i was wondering if it was possible to have say... a Linux OS and a Windows OS installed on the same pc?...or more can they both run together on the same pc?...i wanna experiment with Linux but obviously dont want to loose windows... if it is possible to have both installed what would be the process of choosing which to run? thanks for any help

Paul Komski

09-24-2005, 02:42 AM

There's a chap with 37 different OSes on his PC: http://radio.weblogs.com/0105910/2002/09/27.html

123456

09-24-2005, 08:49 AM

Yeah. I don't know which OS you have to install first, but BTW, what version of WIndows do you have and what Linux distribution?

Sempron

09-24-2005, 06:13 PM

Here are some quick tips on how to setup the dual boot that I learned the hard way. They worked for me to get Windows 2000 Pro and DSL installed on an old PII laptop.

First partition the drive as you would like. You will need at least three partitions. One for Windows, one for Linux, and one for Linux swap. If you would like to be able to have full support for transfering files between the two you will need a FAT 32 partition as well, that is if you use NTFS for XP. There are also many ways that you can partition for the Linux install that give more flexibility and recovery options, such as putting / and /home on seperate partitions.

Install Windows first, it will destroy any files that Linux writes to the MBR. In fact if you are installing XP you should have no trouble creating all the partitions you need from the install there. Just keep in mind you will need to format them in the proper type later on. Install Linux, and use LILO or GRUB as a boot manager. I just let it autmatically install to the MBR and it detected Windows and setup everything so that I have the choice of OS to boot.
That was a reply to a question that I asked Erik. I hope this helps answer your question.

rond36

09-25-2005, 08:53 PM

Here are some links with some helpful information.

How to multi-boot Windows XP (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/gettingstarted/multiboot.asp)

MSKB How to multi-boot Windows XP (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q306559)

How to Edit the Boot.ini File in Windows XP (http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=289022)

Microsoft's instructions on how to use Fdisk and Format (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q255867)