je linux n00b! boot question

shuaibao · 08-22-2005, 08:42 PM

Hi, I would like to use Fedora core 4 and windows XP home on two HD partitions. I have everything but one thing planned out.

When I start up the comptuer, can I choose to boot either Fedora core 4 or windows XP home ? like choose? lol thanks.

w00t 200 posts

Spork · 08-22-2005, 09:53 PM

I believe that you can install GRUB or a similar program that will allow you to pick between the two OS's on start-up. With Ubuntu (Linux distro I use) it installs GRUB to the main boot record during the install of the OS, not sure about Fedora though.

macdude425 · 08-22-2005, 10:16 PM

Fedora does use GRUB, and it will be set up during install.

shuaibao · 08-23-2005, 09:48 AM

so I can boot windows and linux . not both at the same time. of course. but one or the other when i start up the computer. right?

macdude425 · 08-23-2005, 04:33 PM

That is correct.

GameGURU · 08-23-2005, 04:54 PM

You can also access stuff from windows in linux, but you can't do it the other way around.

hilowe · 08-23-2005, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GameGURU
You can also access stuff from windows in linux, but you can't do it the other way around.

This one depends. If the XP drive is formatted NTFS, Fedora won't be able to access it right away. Fedora is one of the few distros that doesn't have NTFS support right away.

I can be added, though. Either through a kernel module, or through something called Captive NTFS.

If the XP drive is formatted in a FAT file system, then, yes it will be able to access right away.

Qiranworms · 08-23-2005, 05:41 PM

And if you really care enough to bother, there are Windows utilities to read Ext2 and Ext3 partitions, though I haven't seen a ReiserFS one if you choose to format with that. Not to say it doesn't exist, I just haven't ever had the need to look for one.

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