[josuem]

I have a Dell 5100, about a year old, running WinXP, and I'm fed up with this sorry excuse for an OS. I've used Linux several times, Redhat 9 I believe it was, and I really enjoyed that. Now, I'm not going to descirbe my experience with Windows at all, I'm sure ya'll already know... But, what I really want to know is can I install a version of Linux aside WinXP? I need to reinstall Windows anyways, so I was thinking why not install Linux at the same time, it seems like the best time to. But, should I install Linux first? OR Windows? And then, do I need to create a partition for the other OS? IF ya'll could let me know the best and easiest way to do this, let me know. By the way, I already have a copy of Redhat that I'm gonna use, so that's out of the way. Thanks.

[intercodes]

josuem,

1) Reformat the disc completely. (Fat32 is best - you ll know later why)
2) First, install windows XP using the XP disc.
3) once you installed XP, create partitions for Linux (ext2/ext3 file system)
4) Put you redhat disc , and install it.
5) The reason to choose fat32 is that, when you mount NTFS filesystem in linux, you cant write to the NTFS drives. With fat32 ,you can read as well as write windows drives from linux.

It is better to install windows first and then linux.

codes

[josuem]

I have been told that it's best to get partitioning software for my hard drive when doing this. Is this completely necessary? It may be easier, but if it's not necessary, I think I'll just save the money. I have never re-installed a copy of WinXP, when I do, it will ask me if I want to setup partitions, right? Please correct me on these assumptiosn if I'm wrong, or, if there's an easier way... Thanks for the help so far.

[intercodes]

josuem,

Yeh, you can make partitions with XP cd. Make it, fat32 partitons.

Here's a link abt setting dual boot
http://www.overclockersclub.com/guid..._fedora_xp.php
codes

[freefall]

yer, you would have to install xp first, then linux second. i myself think it is better to use two hdd's, because both os's use space, and mandrake10 is like a 2-3 gig install (for most of the good stuff). also, ur swap is double ur ram, so thats another partition. so i advise, if possible, so u have xp (one partition needed) on one hdd, and linux (boot partition, ext2/ext3 partition and swap partition)

[Pavlyk]

Lol, just to answer your question Linux and Windows will never be friends! Arrgh! Die evil Bill Gates! Penguins conquer the world!

[Kilgayne]

i currently have win xp and red hat linux 9 on my comp and i really didnt care about what i was doing when i installed 'em so i guess it shouldn't be too tricky... AT THE BASE

[Sevoma]

Istall windows an then linux. Most recent distros (like, suse, mabey mandrake, mabey redhat) will automaticlt dual boot and autopartition. I reconmend you use suse. I'm sure SuSE automaticly dual boots but not so sure on the others.