[BlueYetti13]

So, I want to install linux and I have a few questions before I embark on this exciting journey. I have asked these questions of my friends and gotten some answers but nothing too confident so I decided to ask here.

First, is there anything wrong with installing a secondary OS (in this case slackware) on a slave hard drive?

Second, if it does work on the slave hard drive, is anything special needed concerning the boot screen and OS selection (like specific setting changes or programs)?

Next, am I correct in assuming that the format of the hard drive can remain the same for linux (its currently NTFS on a 30gig)?

Finally, if I have certain files on the drive that linux will be located (or in the partition that linux will be located) will I be able to transfer (and use) files, such as .mp3, and .avi, on the (Windows XP) master drive and visa versa?
The reason I ask is because I don't want to partition that slave drive if I don't have to but still have full use of the drive for storage purposes and such.

Thank you for any answers, suggestions, or references to other posts that deal with this issue.

[horndude]

1 no
2 slackware will install LILO on the MBR of the primary drive OR you can make a boot floppy
3 no, linux does not use NTFS, it can read it but writing is experimental and usually doesnt work well
4 no, windows only reads/writes FAT or NTFS, but linux can read/write to FAT no problem

[Sevoma]

Originally posted by horndude
1 no
2 slackware will install LILO on the MBR of the primary drive OR you can make a boot floppy
3 no, linux does not use NTFS, it can read it but writing is experimental and usually doesnt work well
4 no, windows only reads/writes FAT or NTFS, but linux can read/write to FAT no problem

There is software that is prett stable allowing you to read ext2/3 filesystems called ext2ifs
http://uranus.it.swin.edu.au/~jn/linux/ext2ifs.htm

[philg]

The usual procedure is to have your Windows installatin on ntfs, your Linux installation on some Linux filesystem (reiserfs, ext3, xfs) and have a "scratch" partition of type fat32 for transferring files accross.

[The General]

you will need to partition the drive you plan on installing linux to at least 2 partitions, one for swap (usually twice the size of your RAM, at least thats what i do) and the other for the root filesystem. you CAN use a swap file, but its more trouble than its worth and its easier and faster to uses a swap partition.

[DaveDXB]

Originally posted by philg
The usual procedure is to have your Windows installatin on ntfs, your Linux installation on some Linux filesystem (reiserfs, ext3, xfs) and have a "scratch" partition of type fat32 for transferring files accross.

that reminded me of something...i really like the file manager that Xandros uses.

It automatically detects all formats of hard drives (fat32, ntfs, ets)

and the cool thing about it is it easily allows you to transfer files from one hard drive format to another....this really is help to a IT support personel is backing up files.

Slam in the mini cd....back up the files....then nuke the place.

[DaveDXB]

Oh dont forget....

Its always better to install linux after windows...

coz once i installed linux first, then windows....then i was unable to load linux anymore because windows didnt give me the option too..

so when you install windows first....then linux over it.

You get the linux boot loader which will ask you if you want to run windows or linux.

[The General]

Eh, I don't think he'll forget .... He posted that 4 months ago.... :rolleyes: :amazed: :mad: