Hi! I wanna start to learn Linux...

[rick420]

I am getting a brand new comp this week. I have worked on Windows 98 for 2 years now. Im getting a 750 AMD Athlon--20 gig HD. I was wondering if it is possible to install Windows 2000 to be my main OS--drive C:--with like 14 gigs. Then win 98 on a 2nd partition ( so I can play some games ) with like 2-3 gigs and then Linux on a 3rd partition? If possible, what is the best Linux for a brand new Linux user? Thanks alot for any help--it would be greatly appreciated. :)

[trekker]

I is possible but then you will have to grapple with a triple boot system.

You can use boot loader programs like System commander etc. But if you use LILO (Linux Loader) you will need to ensure that the boot partition (/boot) is within the 1024th cylinder boundary of your hard disk (which is about the 8GB mark). But the latest version of LILO has overcomed this 1024 cylinder restriction.

Or, you can boot off a boot disk but I find that too troublesome for me.

I suggest reading the NHF on OS Booting for more information.

Hope this helps and have fun!!

[Gaccm]

if the only reason you are installing win9x is for games, i suggest just using win2K. I use win2k and almost all games work fine in it. Alice, is the only game that i have found that doesn't run in 2k. as for the multi booting... what (i think) you want to do is install win2k then... the prob is that win9x boot loader wont work, i not sure if 2k can boot linux and your a newbie so setting up lilo on your first try will be hard. I suggest getting a program like bootloader untill you are comfertable with linux and think you can do it with lilo. (bte, that 1024 cylinder problem has been fixed in the newest version)

[rick420]

Thanks alot for your help. But I still have a few questions. About the games--I have heard that a lot of games dont run in Win 2K, for example NBA Live 2001--does it run in win2k? Thats the only game I really want to have play for sure. Also, what is the best version of Linux for a new user like me? I went to the store and I saw Redhat, Mandrake, etc. Just wondering what is the most "newbie" friendly. Thanks again.

[Big_daddy]

Mandrake 7.2 is the most newbieized. It will also set up your boot using grub which rules.

Install linux last.

[tallulah]

Originally posted by rick420:
Also, what is the best version of Linux for a new user like me? I went to the store and I saw Redhat, Mandrake, etc. Just wondering what is the most "newbie" friendly. Thanks again.

I agree with Big_daddy. Mandrake is the easiest of the distros to install and to use, and it supports the MOST hardware, especially with regards to IDE controllers. The install is really easy and even offers simple options for choosing the default OS, etc. GRUB does "rule."


:)

[rick420]

Thanks again for all your help! So, do I just go install Win2k and leave a D: drive blank than put Mandrake on it? And Grub, is that some sort of boot system proggie?

[n2linux]

I have heard that a lot of games dont run in Win 2K, for example NBA Live 2001--does it run in win2k?

check http://www.ntcompatible.com ... last time I heard, it doesn't work with Win2000