Re: double OS?

[Ben Bettin <bwbettin@gmail.com>]

On 9/26/05, Brandon Richards <hobbes34@gmail.com> wrote:
> Just to let you know you have to install Windows first and then Linux.
> I am not exactly why this is ...

I believe the reason has to do with how Windows handles the MBR
(Master Boot Record - The first sector of a hard drive, which by
convention contains a loader program for starting an operating
system).

When you install a Linux OS it adds itself to the MBR nicely and
avoids corrupting any data that's already there.  MS OS's on the other
hand overwrite everything and replace it with their own thing...nice
way to say "F*ck You" to the competition.  :)

So if you install Linux first, then Windows, you'll end up with a
Windows only box.  The Linux install will still be there, but your
computer won't know about it.  Installing Windows before Linux allows
you to have both.

Do create a dual-boot Linux/Windows box you'd want to do the following:

1.)  Stick in the Windows CD, boot the computer, and follow the instructions.

2.) When it gets to the part about partitioning delete all the
partitions so you just have one big lump of unpartitioned space.  Now
create one partition using a portion of the space.  This will be used
for windows (probably labeled C: - Windows might get pissy if it's not
on the first partition).

3.) Now continue installing Windows.

4.) After Windows is done being installed stick in your Linux disk and
reboot, following the instructions.

5.) When it gets to the part about partitioning, make sure it leaves
the first partition (/dev/hda I believe?) alone.  You can mess with
the unpartitioned free space to create all the partitions you want
from that.

6.) The installer should give you the option to install Grub/Lilo,
which you'll probably want to do.

Hope that helps.

Ben