XP and Linux (which install first and where to install the bootloader?)

[ikellen]

Sorry if this is has been asked (many times) before, but search is not working at the moment. I currently have XP on my Machine (It's been on there since before I got into Linux), and now I wanna dual boot the two. I figured I could use Partition Magic and allocate on system drive for Linux while keeping all my XP Settings intact. No luck there, so I backed up all my data to my second hard drive, and now I will probably install both of them after formatting the system drive. Here is a guide I read: http://www.zdnet.com.au/itmanager/technology/story/0,2000029587,20265546,00.htm

Now my questions:

1) In the ZDnet guide, it says to partition with the XP Setup tool. Should I go with that or format with a third party DOS tool?

2) Linux or XP First? A coworker said to do XP first, as it needs to write to the MBR, and I can set Lilo to install in the first sector of the Hard drive. Possible?

3) Lilo or Grub? I know stupid question, but the last Linux system I had ran Lilo, and I had problems in that I told lilo.conf to default to Windows, but it would always default to Linux if I didnt select Windows. Ways to remedy this or should I go with Grub?

Help is greatly appreciated :)

[Jo.Mo.]

i bet not all of the search engines in the world are down, try www.google.com/linux or http://justlinux.com/forum/search.php

[YorkshireYank]

First of all let me confess that i have never used the Partitioning part of the windows installer - honestly i do as much as possible without letting windows take over...

when it comes to partitioning, especially when an OS is already installed and working i use partition magic, create the partition for XP and then create the Linux partitions, i use 3 for linux, a root partition (/) a home partition (/home) and a swap partition... during the XP installation just chose the correct partition (for me, ususally the first in the list) and let the installer format and start the installation...

i would definitely install windows first just because i had a few problems when i tried it the other way... just seems to be easier...

the lilo or grub question really comes down to personal preference, i use Lilo basically because it's all i've ever used... if you've had problems tho then there really isn't anything stopping you from from trying out grub....

hope that helped a little at least

[dalek]

1: You should be able to partition during the install. Just choose "custom partition" when it asks you where to put it.

2: If you want to keep Linux, install XP first. XP will overwrite the MBR when you install. Linux will just give you the option to boot to it. It's amazing that Linux works well with others but Windoze doesn't like anything but windoze. Sorry, I hate dictators political and OS wise.

3: I prefer lilo myself. I have not had any problems with it. You can configure pretty easy especially in Mandrake 9.1 and most likely Redhat 9.x to. Mandrake will let you pick during the install which is default to boot from. Just click configure lilo and make the changes.

Hope this helps

:D :D :D

[hardcore]

I always use BOOT IT NG, i think you can find it on ZDNET downloads, its easy to use and supports many file systems.

I would install XP first, because otherwise if you install linux first, XP will overwrite the MBR, and you'd have to use the linux bootfloppy to boot into linux, and then edit config files.

And as for boot loaders, i can't recommend one, because i've only ever used lilo, but lilo's as easy as edit, save, run lilo.

[ikellen]

OK just looked at another page at Redhat about dual booting the two (BTW thanks to whoever recommended google.com/linux.............excelent resource) and according to their notes, you install Lilo/Grub on the first sectors of the second partition. Correct? Here's the link: http://www.redhat.com/advice/tips/dualboot.html

[dalek]

That may be the way Redhat does it. Mandrake puts it in the MBR. I would follow the advise of whatever distro you are using. The biggest thing is not to erase your windoze. :eek: :eek:

Good luck.

:D :D :D

[serz]

Moved to Technical.


1) In the ZDnet guide, it says to partition with the XP Setup tool. Should I go with that or format with a third party DOS tool?

You mean to partition your windows partition? You shouldn't need more. You can make/delete partitons and you can make them NTFS or VFAT.

2) Linux or XP First? A coworker said to do XP first, as it needs to write to the MBR, and I can set Lilo to install in the first sector of the Hard drive. Possible?

It would be easier to first install XP because if you first install Linux then WinXP will overwrite the MBR (where the lilo/grub was installed), installing there, the bootloader that XP uses.

Of course that you're able to re-install lilo and configure it. That's why it would be easier to install Windows first..

3) Lilo or Grub? I know stupid question, but the last Linux system I had ran Lilo, and I had problems in that I told lilo.conf to default to Windows, but it would always default to Linux if I didnt select Windows. Ways to remedy this or should I go with Grub?

It's preference. I find lilo easier than grub.

You mean changing the default= option? Maybe you forgot to run /sbin/lilo to make changes?

[mdwatts]

Originally posted by ikellen
according to their notes, you install Lilo/Grub on the first sectors of the second partition. Correct?

I ALWAYS create a 20mb /boot primary partition at the beginning of the drive, install the Linux bootloader there and make it the active partition.

I do the same even if I am not installing Windows as no bootloader should be installed in the mbr. Windows never does.

[ikellen]

I know if you write your Linux bootloader to the MBR, it will promptly be erased if you install Windows afterwards, and if you install Win first, and then write grub/lilo to the MBR, you may not be able to boot into Windows.