Dual Boot How To??

[37Seconds]

I am trying to install Linux (MyahOS) on a computer that has WinXP Pro already on it. I want the system to be a Dual Boot system, but am not sure exactly how to do so. I tried once before (several years ago) with Fedora, but ended up screwing up the MBR and could not repair it and had to reinstall Windows.

Here is how my computer is set up. I have 2 hard drives (120 GB and 300 GB). Windows is on the first partition of the first hard drive (120GB), a 50GB NTFS partition. There is another 70GB FAT32 partion on that hard drive for storage of various data. On the other hard drive I have a 70GB FAT32 partition for backing up the FAT32 partition on the first hard drive, a 200GB FAT32 partition for backing up another drive that is on my home network, and a 30GB unformatted partition (where I want to install Linux).

The 30GB partition is at the end of the 2nd drive.

I need a "How To" since I am a newbie to Linux. I have heard that the "/boot" for Linux must be on the first hard drive. Is that true?

MyahOS Linux installs LILO as the boot manager. Is this any worse/better than GRUB and if worse is it possible to switch it to GRUB?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

If any further details are needed, let me know and I will try to provide them.

Thanks again.

[darkrose0510]

You should be fine to go ahead and install Linux in your free partition (/dev/hdb3). When you install the bootloader (LiLo or GRUB) install it in the MBR of the first hard drive (/dev/hda).
In alot of cases a Windows option will be added automatically when you install the bootloader, or there'll be an option to add Windows when you setup the bootloader.
If not then install and boot to Linux, then add the following to /etc/lilo.conf

other = /dev/hda1  # Partition and drive windows is on
label = Windows # label for the selection screen
table = /dev/hda # set this to the drive windows is on

Then run LiLo by entering lilo on the command line and hitting enter.
That should be you all done.

[devils casper]

I need a "How To" since I am a newbie to Linux. I have heard that the "/boot" for Linux must be on the first hard drive. Is that true?
MyahOS Linux installs LILO as the boot manager. Is this any worse/better than GRUB and if worse is it possible to switch it to GRUB?

there is no need to create /boot partition in first drive. if you created a partition for Linux in Second drive, delete it. leave it as unpartitioned. free space must be unpartitioned/unformatted.
un-plug Windows Harddisk and Plug-in Second harddisk as Primary Master. install Linux. during installation, select 'Unpartitioned/free space for install'. Select GRUB as a boot loader. its very easy to handle and tweak GRUB.
after installation, boot up Linux, log in as root and open /boot/grub/grub.conf file ( in case, there isn't any grub.conf in /boot/grub folder, open menu.lst file ).
add this code at the end of file

title Windows XP
    rootnoverify (hd1,0)
    map (hd0) (hd1)
    map (hd1) (hd0)
    chainloader +1

now open /boot/grub/device.map file and add this line

(hd1) /dev/hdb

shutdown and plug-in Windows disk as Secondary ( slave ). switch on machine.....



casper

[37Seconds]

casper,

While your option is probably the easiest and safest, it is not exactly what I want to do.

I want to have the Windows drive as my master drive and the other drive as my slave.

I want to verify that the "/boot" does not need to be on the master drive (Windows) in order for Linux to boot when the MBR of the master drive is the one that is going to contain LILO.

Can you give me any direction on this method of install?

Thanks for the help.

[devils casper]

i always prefer GRUB coz its a lot easier to handle GRUB than Lilo. no need to create boot partition in Master drive but the problem is, in many cases, GRUB/Lilo didn't recognize Linux installed in Secondry drive. if its not possible to plug-in Linux disk as Master, then use Windows Boot Loader and install GRUB/lilo in the boot sector of root ( or boot ) partition of Linux.






Casper

[jariknet]

Excuse me Friend, he2. I've same problem with this threads. Anyway my problem is my 1st linux (suse) can't run after I've installed 2nd linux (fedora) on the other hardisk. I've installed suse and windows on first hardisk.



thnk's

[devils casper]

you have to add entries in Fedora's GRUB for SuSe and Windows.
unplug second harddisk. is SuSe booting up?
plug in both harddisks, boot up Fedora and post the output of 'fdisk -l' command.





Casper

[jariknet]

Hmm, Casper. Suse has been booting when I unpluged the 2nd hdd. But, I still haven't time yet to try your other suggestion, maybe later, he2. Thnk's Casper, he2.