Thread: dual os with linux?

  1. #1
    Software Developer jverkoey's Avatar
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    dual os with linux?

    Is it possible to put linux on a computer as a dual os with windows? I know you can have multiple windows installations on one computer and then when booting you can select which one you want, is there a way to do this with a linux installation? The reason I would like to do this is I don't have any computer at the moment that I can put linux on that isn't my main computer and I don't want to lose my only windows-based computer.....so, yah.

    I'll do some searching, just posting here to see if anyone knows. I'll post back if I find the answer I'm looking for.

    -edit-
    I also want to do this because I want to start making programs that work platform-independantly, as all of the stuff I've done thus far has been solely windows based and I would like to learn to use linux.

    -edit 2-
    also, what in your opinions is the best linux distro to use? I tried gentoo linux a while ago....which resulted in me having nightmares for a few days after that (took about 20 hours to install, and then it didn't work)
    Last edited by jverkoey; 09-08-2004 at 04:32 PM.

  2. #2
    i dont know Vicious's Avatar
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    Yup, you can have linux and windows on the same hard drive in dual boot harmony.

    The only thing is partitioning your hard drive so linux can have its own little space for its filesystem.

    I think most distro's now have a partitioner with them.

    The distro's are alot bigger than they were when I had linux before. They now are like 3-4 cds worth at least (for the popular ones anyway).

    I have been thinking about putting linux on my machine but havent made my mind up yet.

  3. #3
    Software Developer jverkoey's Avatar
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    So...from this site that I found:
    http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-6270-1053067.html
    It sounds like I'm going to have to format my hard drive? Correct me if I'm wrong, I would prefer not to have to format, but if it's the only way to do it correctly, then I've got no choice, heh.

  4. #4
    i dont know Vicious's Avatar
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    Nope, you can do a non-destructive partition. Ive looked around and it seems that some distro's come with a non-destuctive partitioner.

    EDIT: Not sure about the distro's coming with them, PartitionMagic does it but its not free... argh.

    EDIT2:

    Most Linux distributions come with a special tool to allow you to resize or divide hard drive partitions. Called FIPS, the First (non-destructive) Interactive Partition Splitter, it is normally found on your Linux CD in a directory called /dosutils.
    http://www.linuxgazette.com/issue38/veselosky.html
    Last edited by Vicious; 09-08-2004 at 05:00 PM.

  5. #5
    Software Developer jverkoey's Avatar
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    Anyone know of any good free linux distributions?
    Here's what I've found so far:
    http://www.mandrakelinux.com/en/ftp.php3
    ---cost's money on a yearly basis for some reason to be a user there.....doesn't really make sense
    http://www.redhat.com/apps/download/
    ---179...not wanting to spend that much

  6. #6
    i dont know Vicious's Avatar
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    Check here out...

    http://www.linuxiso.org/

    I am pretty sure you can get those there (among others).

  7. #7
    Software Developer jverkoey's Avatar
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    ah, awesome, thanks a ton vicious, I'll try those out.

    -Thanks again

  8. #8
    Registered User linuxdude's Avatar
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    I liked redhat, but really like gentoo. If you need any help you know who to ask

  9. #9
    uninteresting
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    Gentoo is sweet dude

    I'm using it right now. But, people 'just starting off' in linux will find it hard to install. I started with slackware, but soon decided that I didn't like it at all and switched to gentoo. If you have linux experience, and some patience, Gentoo is easy to install, especially after you've done it more than once. Also, you can get a CD-based version like Morphix that you don't have to install on your harddrive.
    *** TITANIC has quit (Excess Flood)

  10. #10
    i dont know Vicious's Avatar
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    I was thinking about trying Fedora 2..

    Any one have any good/bad experiences with this?

    EDIT: I think I'll try Mandrake, it sounds pretty reasonable.
    Last edited by Vicious; 09-08-2004 at 06:16 PM.

  11. #11
    i dont know Vicious's Avatar
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    Would this work... I'm going to reformat my whole Hard Drive and I want to install linux first. I want to install linux on about 5GB or so of disk space and leave the rest for Windows.

    Is that possible?
    What is C++?

  12. #12
    'AlHamdulillah
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    no, you do not want to install windows after installing linux, as it will write over the MBR and in case you lack a live cd, you will have "lost" your system until you reinstall grub or lilo. what you want to do is partition your hard drive the following way:

    1) partition how much space you want for winxp, adding second partition in case you like having your stuff on a seperate partition.

    2) make a partition of ~128 MB, this is where your compressed kernel will be put in most cases.

    3) create a partition of the linux swap type, usually 1 GB is good enough for this, you may want more or less depending on your physical memory situation.

    4) create 1+ partition of linux type, these will be used for / and what else you want. your base / should probably be 4GB < because most distros will take up around 2 GB of space.
    there used to be something here, but not anymore

  13. #13
    i dont know Vicious's Avatar
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    Could I install Linux, then use a partitioner to create a WinXP partition? Or do I need to do Windows first?

    Sorry if this is what you just answered, I am a bit slow.
    What is C++?

  14. #14
    'AlHamdulillah
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    oh, you are asking whether or not windows has to be the first partition on the hard-drive... the answer is no.
    there used to be something here, but not anymore

  15. #15
    Crazy Fool Perspective's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Vicious
    I was thinking about trying Fedora 2..

    Any one have any good/bad experiences with this?
    Fedora Core 2 is a great linux distro, especially for newbies. I run it on my laptop and havnt had any problems yet. I recommend it.

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