Windows XP & Linux on the same PC?

[mopepom]

I am an experienced user of Windows XP and now have a 75 gigabyte drive that I can dedicate to Linux.

I need straightforward advice on:

(a) which flavor or version of Linux to acquire?
(b) how to modify my environment to load as first choice my Windows XP system, or to load as second choice the Linux environment?

I really don't want to have to first understand all of the options and choices for Linux. Rather I would like to be operational in a way that does not interfere with my very stable and high performance XP environment. Then I can become as expert in Linux as I need to be.

If someone could point me to a "howto" tutorial that can get me up and running quickly and safely, I would be very appreciative.

I have been Googling on this search on many occasions and I am inundated with scrappy technical jargon that I don't want to have to figure out. Surely it isn't that complicated.

[Daan]

It's simple indeed. Most Linux distribution automatically install GRUB for you, so that you can choose between operating systems when you boot your computer. For instance, when you install Debian, the installer will look for operating systems already present, and if it said it has found Windows, it's safe to go ahead and when finished, you can choose between Linux and Windows on start up.

Which Linux distribution to choose, is a harder question, but Ubuntu (which is based on Debian) is starter friendly. Like Debian, it has the apt-get software installation system, which makes it really easy to install software and updates. Synaptic is the graphical interface to apt-get.

[oz]

Welcome to the forums, mopepom

Take a look at the link in my signature for lots of good information on getting started with Linux. If you really aren't interested in knowing much about Linux, you might want to consider passing on it altogether because Linux is all about having lots options and control over your system.

As for which distro, nobody here can tell you which one you'll like best. You'll have to try a few distros and then decide for yourself which one works best for you, using your hardware and computer skills.

Regarding dual booting, most distros should offer you the opportunity to dual boot Linux, or Windows, and you can set the bootloader to boot whichever one you want as the default OS. Your Windows XP installation shouldn't be touched unless you tell the installer to do something to it.

Have fun with Linux, and let us know how it goes...

oz

[mopepom]

I am currently working to set up a dual-boot Windows XP, Linux/ Ubuntu 7.04 system.

Here is my complement of hardware/ software as visible to Belarc Advisor;
---
Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (build 2600)
---
Hard Disk:
[Hard drive] (80.03 GB) -- drive 1, s/n xxx, rev 17.07W17, SMART Status: Healthy
[Hard drive] (80.03 GB) -- drive 0, s/n xxx, rev 05.01C05, SMART Status: Healthy
---
RAM: 736 Megabytes Installed Memory
---
Local Drive Volumes
c: (NTFS on drive 0) 80.02 GB 24.23 GB free
d: NOT VISIBLE TO WINDOWS - reserved for Linux *************
h: (FAT32 on drive 2) 160.00 GB 118.97 GB free
---
Peripherals
Brother MFC-7150C
EPSON Stylus Photo R200 Series on USB001
HP LaserJet III on LPT1:
---
Controllers
Standard floppy disk controller
Primary IDE Channel [Controller]
Secondary IDE Channel [Controller]
SiS PCI IDE Controller
Maxi_Vista_DriverA [Display adapter]
SiS 650_651_M650_M652_740 [Display adapter]
DELL 2007FP [Monitor] (20.2"vis, s/n xxx)
SiS 7001 PCI to USB Open Host Controller (2x)
SiS PCI to USB Enhanced Host Controller
SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio
Standard Game Port
Communications
U.S. Robotics 56K Faxmodem USB
SiS 900-Based PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter
primary Auto IP Address: xxx
VMware Virtual Ethernet Adapter for VMnet1
IP Address: xxx
Physical Address: xxx
VMware Virtual Ethernet Adapter for VMnet8
IP Address: xxx
Physical Address: xxx
------
------
In testing Linux, I have already installed Debian 31r5-i386 - netinst.iso on the reserved Linux drive (aka D:\).

I have an operational version of SystemRescuecd.x86-03.5.

---

The system now boots to

(a) floppy A:\
(b) CD-ROM
(c) Linux drive (aka D:\)
(d) Drive c:\ with MS Windows XP

The boot sequence permits the choice of these options in the order indicated.

Now I need to:

- get rid of the Debian 31r5-i386 - netinst.iso partition on the Linux drive;
- install Ubuntu 7.04 on the Linux drive, reserving the entire drive for Linux;

I believe I have now established a safe procedure to edit my BIOS settings.

I have available the utility GParted-LiveCD-0.3.4-6, which I have used to reboot and "browse" my hard disks. I have not tried to make any changes yet, since I concerned that I might do something seriously wrong.

I think that the next step might be to select my "Linux" disk and either clear it completely of the Debian 31r5 partition or to create, as well, a partition to be the home of Ubuntu 7.04. (I do have the full disk 1 for ubuntu: ubuntu-7.04-desktop-i386.iso)

All things being equal, I think I should get rid of the Debian 31r5-i386 - netinst.iso partition.

This is new territory for me, so comments or any help would be appreciated.

Many thanks.

[abhishek456]

Just boot from your ubuntu dvd and boot up to live cd and you can find install icon on desktop inself. I you want to perform more customized installation choose "Install in OEM mode".

When it comes to partioning go to manual partioning. Now select you debain root[/] directory to install ububtu.Allow installer to format it. Select your debain /home directory and now set it's mount point as /home.

check this Installing a Dual-Boot with Windows and Ubuntu

[abhishek456]

if you are confused about partioning boot up your debian and post the output of these terminal commands

sudo fdisk - l

and post the contents of

/etc/fstab

[ryptyde]

I have done this to several Fedora 6 and one Fedora 7 Test 4 install.
Your safest bet would be to disconnect all but the drive you want to install your Linux distro on then when you have it up and running shutdown then plugin your Windows drive restart and when in linux(well Fedora anyway) you can edit as root :

# gedit /boot/grub/grub.conf

and add the last part I highlighted in red from my grub.conf to your boot config.

# grub.conf generated by anaconda
#
# Note that you do not have to rerun grub after making changes to this file
# NOTICE:  You have a /boot partition.  This means that
#          all kernel and initrd paths are relative to /boot/, eg.
#          root (hd0,0)
#          kernel /vmlinuz-version ro root=/dev/VolGroup00/LogVol00
#          initrd /initrd-version.img
#boot=/dev/sda
default=1
timeout=5
splashimage=(hd0,0)/grub/splash.xpm.gz
hiddenmenu
title Fedora Core (2.6.20-1.2944.fc6xen)
	root (hd0,0)
	kernel /xen.gz-2.6.20-1.2944.fc6
	module /vmlinuz-2.6.20-1.2944.fc6xen ro root=/dev/VolGroup00/LogVol00 rhgb quiet
	module /initrd-2.6.20-1.2944.fc6xen.img
title Fedora Core (2.6.20-1.2944.fc6)
	root (hd0,0)
	kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.20-1.2944.fc6 ro root=/dev/VolGroup00/LogVol00 rhgb quiet
	initrd /initrd-2.6.20-1.2944.fc6.img
title Fedora Core (2.6.20-1.2933.fc6xen)
	root (hd0,0)
	kernel /xen.gz-2.6.20-1.2933.fc6
	module /vmlinuz-2.6.20-1.2933.fc6xen ro root=/dev/VolGroup00/LogVol00 rhgb quiet
	module /initrd-2.6.20-1.2933.fc6xen.img
title Fedora Core (2.6.20-1.2933.fc6)
	root (hd0,0)
	kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.20-1.2933.fc6 ro root=/dev/VolGroup00/LogVol00 rhgb quiet
	initrd /initrd-2.6.20-1.2933.fc6.img
title Windows XP
        map (hd0) (hd1)
        map (hd1) (hd0)
        makeactive
        rootnoverify (hd1,0)
	chainloader +1

then when you reboot you will see the option to boot Windows XP on the grub splash.

[devils casper]

Now I need to:

- get rid of the Debian 31r5-i386 - netinst.iso partition on the Linux drive;
- install Ubuntu 7.04 on the Linux drive, reserving the entire drive for Linux;

boot up Windows and open Disk Management Tool. delete Unknown Partitions. you can delete Linux partition with GParted in Feisty LiveCD.
start installation and Select Largest Free space for installation. Installer will create and format partition for you.
dual boot is default in all Linux Distros. you dont have to change anything in BIOS. GRUB menu will appear at startup on every boot up.