Noobe the best way to install Dual Boot.

tolken3 · n00b Joined: 09 Jan 2003 Posts: 22

I have decided to try and become a true Linux convertee BUT. I am so new that I dont want to lose my Windoze just yet. I have decided to blow every thing off my hard drive I am currently using XP. I have 2 hard drives on is 10 gig which I am going to use for the Linux and the other is 40 gig for the Windows bloat drive. What would be the most efficent way to insall both systmes? should I use the 40g for Linux or the other way around and what sould I use as a boot manager? I know I ask a lot but I would apprecite any opinon offered. I hope I posted this in the right forum. Thank you all and I am familiar enough with Linux that I feel confident that I can install Gentoo, I dont want the bloat ware any more.

Joffer · Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2003 12:23 pm Post subject:

I guess if you think you are going to use Linux the most (if thats your intention) use the 40gb for Linux and 10gb for winblows. If you later deside to ditch linux you will just get a 40gb D: drive, or if you ditch winblows, you can just mount the 10gb drive whereever you like on your linux system

I just had more or less the same question, just using one harddrive yesterday. I think it applies nicely to a two harddrive setup too.. take a look here.

harper · n00b Joined: 30 Jun 2002 Posts: 40

I also run winXP and Gentoo. The way that I do it is that I first connect the win drive as master and install winxp. Then I swap them and make the win drive slave and install Gentoo on the other drive. (The reason for this is that winxp likes to think that it's on the first drive) Then I use Grub as my boot-loader and by using the map command in grub you can trick winxp into thinking that it's on the first drive. The result is that I have a nice grub boot-loader with a Gentoo splashscreen that very nicely boots either system. My grub.conf file looks like this:

default 0
timeout 30
splashimage=(hd0,0)/grub/splash.xpm.gz

title=Gentoo
root (hd0,0)
kernel /bzImage root=/dev/hda4 hdd=scsi

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

Hope that makes sense and helps.

tolken3 · n00b Joined: 09 Jan 2003 Posts: 22

Thank you folk for the great information, very fast reply. I will be setting it up this evening so I will be able to let you know the trials and tribulations tomorrow. I just want to make sure I am prepared for the transisition, I have had enough headaces with Windblows. I dont expect every thing to go smoothly but if I can take the bumps out of the road I am all for it. BTW I have the Gentoo Live CD with stage 3 I am not lazy I am just not sure I can hadle the more indepth configurations right now. Let me know what your opinions are. Thank again.

s003apr · Apprentice Joined: 04 Oct 2002 Posts: 162

You don't have to divide it 40 and 10.

You could, for example, give your windows 30 GB, and the put /home and /swap on the 10 GB drive, and then use the remaining 10 GB of the first drive for the rest of linux.

I've been told many times that there's a speed advantage to dividing up your linux on two different drives because both HDs can be reading and writing at the same time.

tolken3 · n00b Joined: 09 Jan 2003 Posts: 22

Does any one have any info on the options of splitting the OS on both of the drives. I would love to get the performance but as I said I am not good enough with Linux yet to do a lot of custom configs. Also, would the performance gain be worth the split or would I even notice it. I am running a AMD Tbird at 1 ghz with 512 mb ram and ATI Radeon video card.[/list]

s003apr · Apprentice Joined: 04 Oct 2002 Posts: 162

best advice I can give you is:
a.)partition you harddrives prior to doing anything else.
b.) for the simplest install put windows at the front of the first hard drive (first partition)
c.) If possible, also put /boot and / on the first harddrive and /home and /swap on the second harddrive.

There are several reasons I recommend doing it this way: I think it will be easier to set up grub for a first time linuxer, and if you mess something up and the second drive doesn't work, then you are only missing /swap, and /home, which won't prevent you linux system from working, you'd then be able to come here and get some quick advice on how to fix your problems. 10 GB on the first hard drive would give you all the room you could ever possibly need for the linux system. The /swap would use a small portion of the second harddrive (maybe 500MB), leaving you with 9.5 GB for /home.
/home is where all of the users personal data files will be stored, so if you ever need lots of space for things like cdrom disk images or lots of mp3's, you'll have it.

You may find that this amount of space is excessive for you linux system, but that's ok, because it would be a fairly simple process for you to backup /home, and divide it up into an 7 GB fat partition for windows and a 2.5 GB partition for linux.

It seems to me that you actually have more space than you need. The main question you need to answer for yourself is: How much space do you need for Windows? With experience, you'll find that linux is very flexible in terms of meeting space requirements (there's no reason you can't give Linux users access to windows drives, that you could store large files like mp3 collections on the windows drives and share them, rather than have a large /home).

I also strongly recommend going to the library or bookstore and finding several good linux books (I learned a lot when I started from "Running Linux" from O'Reilly Press)

keratos68 · Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2003 10:55 pm Post subject: Re: Dual Boot

BlackBart · Apprentice Joined: 07 Oct 2002 Posts: 252

interesting idea:
is it possible to share a swap partition between windows and linux. i.e. put the win386.swp on the partition while in windows and use it as swap in linux?

keratos68 · Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2003 12:22 am Post subject:

HA

Not that one again, erm, yes it springs up from time2time on other distros I've worked on, I think this is the first such query I've seen on Gentoo.

It is possible but not advised. Essentially, Windows employs a contiguous "protected" set of disk blocks (a file) whereas *nix (Linux) utilises an entire partition - the latter being a more prudent and superior choice (of course!)

Anyway, there are lots of resources on this topic, maybe you would like to start with http://en.tldp.org/HOWTO/mini/Swap-Space.html#toc1
_________________
Someone told me that "..they only ever made one mistake...."

...and that's when they said they were wrong!!

tolken3 · n00b Joined: 09 Jan 2003 Posts: 22

Thank you very much, I really appreciate you taking the time to help and explain things. I only hope when I become as proficent in Linux that I will be able to contribute as much. Gentoo Rulz, Btw I installed Gentoo last night and the only issue I have is configuring the network. I dont believe that I need a Broadcast IP. But I am sure I did something very stupid. I used vi to edit the conf file for my domain and IP but when I checked it this morning the dnsnames for gentoo were gone. Will this stop me from running or evolving?

tolken3 · n00b Joined: 09 Jan 2003 Posts: 22

Thank you very much, I really appreciate you taking the time to help and explain things. I only hope when I become as proficent in Linux that I will be able to contribute as much. Gentoo Rulz, Btw I installed Gentoo last night and the only issue I have is configuring the network. I dont believe that I need a Broadcast IP. But I am sure I did something very stupid. I used vi to edit the conf file for my domain and IP but when I checked it this morning the dnsnames for gentoo were gone. Will this stop me from running or evolving?

keratos68 · Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2003 2:06 pm Post subject:

make sure your /etc/hostname contains a domain name, anything will do for now, mine simply has:

tolken3 · n00b Joined: 09 Jan 2003 Posts: 22

Thank you Dazzel for the info I will check it out when I get home from work.
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You folks are the best group that I have had the pleasure of working with. Keep up the great work and all of the contributors skills and knowledge is fantastic. I can not thank you enough.

keratos68 · Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2003 2:11 pm Post subject: Re: Great Info

tolken3 · n00b Joined: 09 Jan 2003 Posts: 22

Well, that was the first good laugh I have all day thanks for the running/evolving comment. I will be hammering out the IP and DNS issue first thing.
_________________
You folks are the best group that I have had the pleasure of working with. Keep up the great work and all of the contributors skills and knowledge is fantastic. I can not thank you enough.

keratos68 · Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2003 2:18 pm Post subject:

BTW tolken, I have some 15 years experience with Unix,Linux,AIX,RISC,Windows,Prime,CPM etc.etc., I'm totally new to Gentoo - only started around last week in December - I'm no brainbox nor Gentoo guru but it goes to show that with the support on this site, the world community, the nature of Linux and your own inquisitive nature, things WILL fall into place sooner rather than later - it has for me , and yeah - there are some really clued up guys on here .... Keep your eye out for the likes of "rac" , "BloodyBastard" , "kanuslupus" and "phong" - they kinda run the show here and are always on the "prowl" looking for ducks in trouble , or should that be "penguins in peril!!" :lol:

P.s. If you ever get a response from NITRO , then you really have hit the big = time !!!
_________________
Someone told me that "..they only ever made one mistake...."

...and that's when they said they were wrong!!

tolken3 · n00b Joined: 09 Jan 2003 Posts: 22

Dazzle, I have about the same but with the DOS and Windoz side of things. I am just suprised that Linux is so much easier than it used to be. I tried Slackware about 5yrs ago for about 2 days and quit in frustration. I know I picked a challanging distro, but I wanted to get up to speed quickly and I thought this might get me right into the nuts and bolts of Linux. I guess I was right. I know it is a probably a qucik DNS tweak or at least I hope it is and knowlede is power so thats why I respect you guys so much. I only hope I can grasp Linux as well as the folks here have and can contribute in the future.
_________________
You folks are the best group that I have had the pleasure of working with. Keep up the great work and all of the contributors skills and knowledge is fantastic. I can not thank you enough.

keratos68 · Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2003 2:58 pm Post subject:

Mmmm, Gentoo is surprisingly comfortable despite its text-based/command line interface - I'd put this down to a well designed O/S, not just at the "chalkface" but from the very top - from conceptual design - I think the Gentoo Devs did an excellent job of scoping the problem and implementing the solution.

Of course, the support backup is essential and its all on this site, FREE and personal (you dont communicate with 'third-parties').

I tried RedHat in the early days, when the internet was Lynx based (text) - no nice piccies, no nice manuals , gave up after a [very short] while.

Things have come a long way - I think its important to remember the target audience of Linux and its major userbase, perhaps academics, students, professors, analysts, technicians etc. The core O/S for linux (kernel & drivers) was well developed, tested and managed. The filesystems surrounding the core have "flavoured" across distros but the feel is pretty much the same. We seem to be at a point where the O/S itself is quite rugged, reliable and performs well - all that's left is to bolt on a GUI.

The GUI advances I think tolken, have brought Linux into the "office" workplace and into the home. Perhaps users feel more comfortable with a GUI, perhaps it reduces exposure to the O/S, perhaps it just makes the job quicker. I personally dont care about GUIs, I can take them - I can leave them - although clearly some apps perhaps are more suited than others, like DVD/CD authoring, desktop integration/control etc.

Dont know about you tolken, but I'm finding Gentoo simply the best distro around at the mo - and long may it continue - I hope the Gentoo Devs continue to lead by example and forge ahead with this most excellent of Linux Dists. Respect to the guys!!

I've already made a donation to the team, I hope others follow, even if its a small amount, its better than nothing.
_________________
Someone told me that "..they only ever made one mistake...."

...and that's when they said they were wrong!!

tolken3 · n00b Joined: 09 Jan 2003 Posts: 22

I agree with you Dazzle in every respect and I couldnt have said it better probably worse LOL. I think that once the GUI is all set Linux will take off I dont agree with what I will call the myths that there are not enough apps or hardware supported. I believe that as an IT Manager I should not be locked into a upgrade cycle that is not only cost prohibitive but requires retraining of the techs. But, I also need to make sure the end user (desktop) has common tools and is able to complete their jobs. Linux does have these tools now, but was lacking just a few short years ago. I am quiely trying to sneek Linux in to my new place of employment to expose the customers and techs to the benifits. I have generated quite a bit of excitement already now I have to keep it going.
_________________
You folks are the best group that I have had the pleasure of working with. Keep up the great work and all of the contributors skills and knowledge is fantastic. I can not thank you enough.

keratos68 · Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2003 5:51 pm Post subject:

Wish our IT Managers had a similar vision to yours

Take Care, have fun, c you around.
_________________
Someone told me that "..they only ever made one mistake...."

...and that's when they said they were wrong!!