Three way Boot???

[seadooman]

I have mutiple harddrives 80 gig total patitioned into 8 10 gig drives and am running windows 98se on C: and Windows 2K on D:, Can I install linux on another partition without having any conflicts with the other OS`s.Do I need a special program to install it with so its there to choose from during boot up? By the way it was linux mandrake 9.1 if that makes a diff. Any Help would be aperciated.

 

[pupu]

I suggest to use special boot loader like XOSL. And be VERY careful during installation - install Linux bootloader and data to proper places! (ie do not install bootloader to MBR etc)

 

[KermitJunior]

You won't have any problem. Simply pop in the Mandrake CD and install on any partition you want. If you're new to linux, just make sure you have one empty partition and allow Mandrake to auto partition using free space.

On the final configuration, I recommend you install GRUB to the MBR. I prefer GRUB since it had a lot more options than LILO and can switch hard drive mapping easily and you don't have to remember to run the conf update with every change.

One nice thing about Linux is that it will install on any drive, Ext Partition, second hdd, you name it... unlike "other" supposed "operating" systems.

Good luck,
KJ

 

[seadooman]

Thank you for your help, SEADOOMAN

 

[AP81]

XOSL is good but can be a little tricky. Stick with SEADOOMAN's advice and let the auto paritioning cut your 10G parition into the <swap>, root and boot paritions. Install GRUB to the MBR, and your done!

 

[AP81]

Sorry Kermits advice!

 

[seadooman]

What about Redhat? Ive Heard mandrake went bankrupt.

 

[AP81]

Yes, Mandrake has declared bankruptcy. That doesn't mean it should be ruled out though. There is still plenty of support online and in forums. Mandrake is really a pumped up version of Red Hat.

Red Hat is better in my opinion. It also is the largest and most popular linux ditro. The Red Hat and Mandrake installer are both quite similar in terms of steps and control. Red Hat is a little better though.

If you have partition magic or another good partitioning program, format one of the partitions as ext2. This will make RH a little easier to install.

Boot to the installation, select the partition, then choose automatic partitioning. It will then slice that partition into the recommended sizes. Then install as normal.

 

[seadooman]

OK I do have partition magic,but you lost me on the ext2???
What do you mean?Also Ive seen the unusaual way it calls your harddrive partitions if ive got my F-drive cleared for instalation and its the 3rd partiton on my slave drive what will it look like? HDA,HDA1,HDA2??????

 

[AP81]

What I mean, is right click on the parition you want to change to ext2. Select Format, then ext2. It will format it as ext2, and your ready to roll.

It will be called /dev/hda5 in Linux. The first logical drive will always be hda5 in linux. When you install, select /dev/hda5 and then automatic partitioning.

 

[seadooman]

OK I understand now. But under normal install on redhat will it give me the choice of what boot loader to install,what harddrive etc.What I mean is not on expert install,but on normal.

 

[AP81]

Yes, normal install will. I want to clear something up. Open partition magic and look at the drives. The first logical partition will be hda5 under linux, the second, hda6, and so on. I just assumed it would be the first logical that you will install to.

Now that you have an ext2 partition, Linux will pick it up as a Linux partition. The reason I told you to do this, is that it makes it a little easier. Select 'automatic paritioning' for that partition. Then, if given the option, use the ext3 format instead (if it doesn't do it for you already). It is a little better than ext2. ext2 is still fine however.

Any install will give you the choice of bootloader. By default, Red Hat will be GRUB on the Master Boot Record. You won't have to change anything. Just accept the defaults. It is also better to perform an Expert install. You can then install what packages you want. If you are unsure, just select 'Work Station' and it will install the typical workstation components. You can always add more packages later.

 

[seadooman]

2 Last ?`s.How to use the checksum thats on each disk? and
on this harddrive things got me worried I dont want to format a drive I have windows on.my master drive c&d than I have my slave which is partitioned into 4 drives on the 2nd partition on the slave drive i have it prepared for linux can you tell me what HDA that will be or is it going to be obvious that it has nothing on it??

Sorry to be such a pain. seadooman

 

[AP81]

1. md5sum name.iso

It will then output a number. I take it you are doing it from windows, so you need to download the md5sum for windows. This can be downloaded from here:

http://etree.org/software/md5sum.exe

copy the .exe into a directory and then open msdos. cd into the direcotry and then:

md5sum name.iso

check the output numbers match. I also suggest before burning the iso that you read this:

http://www.linuxiso.org/viewdoc.php/neroburning.html

2. Linux detects drives like this:

primary master: hda
primary slave: hdb
seconday master: hdc
secondary slave: hdd

If it is your primary slave then it is /dev/hdb

You have four paritions on it right?

The it will go like this:

/dev/hdb1
/dev/hdb5
/dev/hdb6
/dev/hda7

This is assuming that your second partition is a logicial partition.

 

[seadooman]

Thanks for your help,im in way over may head,way to much information...Im going to jump right in and give it a try. thanks again..