Linux and Windows on seperate hard drives?

[chad123]

Is this possible? If so, how? I've looked around but i can only find information about partitioning one hard drive for the two os's.

[arochester]

Yes it is possible. It is easier than partitioning one disk. Windows goes on one disk. Install Linux on the second disk. Grub normally goes on the MBR (Master Boot Record) of the first disk - this can be the Windows Disk.

[chad123]

I'm not sure how the 'grub' thing works. Also, is there any way to make my second drive a linux useable format in windows? I know enough about computers to navigate myself through windows, but I'm no genius by any means, so if you can explain it in a way that's very simple, that would be great, but if I'm in over my head here, just tell me.

[devils casper]

Hi and Welcome !

Which distro are you planning to install?
Its very easy to setup dual boot in multiple disks. Safest way is, unplug Windows OS HD during Linux installation and plug-in Linux HD as Primary Master.

Plug-in Windows OS HD as Secondary after Linux Installation. You have to edit only one file ( menu.lst or grub.conf ) for dual boot setup.

[chad123]

I'm going to install Kubuntu. So after I install the OS what exactly do i have to do with the grub file? Also, i wasn't clear about this in my last post, but the HD i want to install it on is in FAT32 format right now, and from what i understand, linux won't install on that. Is there any way to get it to a linux compatible format using windows?

[devils casper]

Is there any way to get it to a linux compatible format using windows?

No but Kubuntu LiveCD has a Partition Manager, QtParted. Boot up from Kubuntu CD and open QtParted. Create/format partitions in ext3 filesystem.
Or
Download PartedMagic LiveCD. Its one of the best Partition Manger, just 34MB in size. You can create/delete/resize partition pretty easily with it.

Create two partitions.
1. SWAP, 512MB to 1 GB is enough.
2. ext3, assign as much space as you like. 6-8GB is recommended.

Start Kubuntu installation and select Manual Partitioning. Assign / mount_point to ext3 partition. Installer will detect SWAP itself.

After installation, plug-in Windows HD as secondary. Boot up Kubuntu, open Konsole and execute this

sudo fdisk -l

Post output here. I will post the necessary code for dual boot setup here.

[chad123]

I booted from the Kubuntu LiveCD, and I chose the first option which was to run or install Kubuntu. It loaded for a while and then I came to a blue screen. It started loading some more, then stopped and i was just left with the blue screen withnothing on it but my mouse. I also tried to run it in safe mode but it did the same thing.

[devils casper]

Which Graphics Card do you have? Post your machine's specs here.

[chad123]

I'm pretty sure the problem has something to do with the image file. I burned it again and it still didn't work, so I downloaded Ubuntu and burned it and I'm running it off the CD right now. I tried installing it but at about 60% it runs into an error, I've tried it a few times now and I get the same error every time. I've also tried burning it again and trying that CD and it still gets that error. I think I'm just going to order the LiveCD in the mail if it still doesn't work after this and hopefully that will work.
Here's me specs:
Processor: AMD Athlon XP
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon X800
Motherboard: ABIT NF7-S2 NVIDIA nForce2

I think that's all that matters, if not just tell me what you need to know and I'll check.

[devils casper]

It looks like Graphics Card problem but I am not sure because LiveCD is working fine on your machine.
Try Ubuntu Alternate Installation CD. It has text based installer. Text based installer uses minimal Graphics and as user friendly as GUI.