Dual Boot

[brokerz911]

Planning a Win2000pro and Mandrake 8.0 dual boot. Anyone run into any major problems?

[Denise]

Hi there! If you install Mandrake 8.0 you can still access your windows. I have a triple boot computer, WinMe, Win2KPro, and Mandrake 8.0. After you are finished your install, and reboot, you will see a linux screen with a few options Linux, failsafe, windows, exit. Hit the windows choice and woo hoo you now have acces to your windows system.

May I make a suggestion? Here goes! I bought a second hd to install Linux on, so I didn't have to screw around with the Windows partitions.(both Windows OS on same HD just different partitions, Win2K NTFS, and ME Fat32). If you install Linux on an existing Windows partition,(I believe it needs to be a FAT file system)Linux resizes it, and it causes Linux to run slower, also if you are doing linux for windows back up your important windows data. Go with the second HD its well worth it. Linux mandrake rules.

Good Luck
Denise
MCSE and future CCNP ;)

[solo]

You may want to try a search for this topic. Here's a thread that is currently active:

http://www.linuxnewbie.org/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=022667

Sometimes the search link is broken, and sometimes it takes a long time to find your criteria, but when it's working, it is well worth it ;).

[Denise]

I forgot one more thing, make sure all your hardware is compatible with the linux system. Very important! If you have a winmodem you won't be able to get on the internet, and make sure your video card is compatible. You can check the video compatibility out by going to Xfree86.org/faq Once again good luck!!

I'm having a great time with linux, and looking forward to learning more.

Have a great Day
Denise: (MCSE Win2K) and future CCNP

:p
And remember don't let problems frustrate you, take it as a learning experience. Most of what I know I learned by trial and error. If you don't get it fixed today you will tomorrow.

[jdharm]

I heard so many tales of woe about the dual boot that when I finally started to mess with linux I didn't even attempt to put Windows and Mandrake on the same drive. I had a second hd laying around so I put it in. Both drives need a jumper on them to identify themselves as master, so I replaced the jumpers with cpu fan connectors and put the wires on a microswitch on the front of the case. Just flip the switch before power-up, no need to configure or deal with a boot manager. Works great.