Re: Dual Boot With Win XP - Debian First?
In my opinion the Windows bootloader is also fine!
2007/6/27, Russell L. Harris <rlharris@oplink.net>:
* Bob <spam@homeurl.co.uk> [070627 07:21]:
> russ421@aol.com wrote:
>> I want to dual boot windows XP and Debian. I've seen the guides, but
>> they all recommend that users have Windows XP installed first, and
>> then install Debian. This allows you to set it up with the default
>> Debian installation to use GRUB / etc. and dual boot.
>>
>> However, I won't have a copy of Win XP for my new machine for a month
>> or two probably. I'd like to go ahead and install Debian, otherwise
>> the new computer will be a paperweight.
>>
>> Is it possible to install Debian first and then Windows XP later on?
>> Can you change the Debian configurations? Is it not too difficult?
>> Impossible?
>>
>> I'm installing on two separate hard drives, so partitions shouldn't be
>> a big problem I don't imagine. Debian on one, XP on the other.
With two hard drives -- one for Debian and one for Window$ -- this is
trivial; I do it routinely.
The use of a separate cable for each drive is nice, but it is not
essential with modern motherboards. If I recall correctly, modern
motherboards incorporate an independent controller for each drive, so
that there is no performance penalty if two drives are attached to the
same cable.
I have no experience with XP, but with W2000 it doesn't matter whether
you install Debian first or Window$ first. However, if you do install
Debian first and wish to ensure that Window$ cannot mess up the
system, simply unplug the Debian drive before you install Window$.
You need not worry about Debian messing up the Window$ installation
(apart from the fact that GRUB is going to replace whatever boot
manager Window$ may install).
Partitioning in Window$ and partitioning in Debian are independent,
UNLESS you put both operating systems on the same drive. But
considering the pitfalls and the low price of drives, I think it
generally foolish to put both operating systems on the same drive.
If you install Window$ first and subsequently install Debian, GRUB
takes care of everything, automatically, and leaves you with a boot
menu which includes both Debian and Window$.
But if you install Debian first and then install Window$, Window$ may
install its own boot manager in place of GRUB. But that's not a
problem; all you need to do in that event is boot Debian and, from a
command line prompt within Debian, reinstall GRUB, whereupon
everything again is taken care of automatically. Of course, in this
event you need to use a GRUB boot CD to boot Debian. So once Debian
is running, make it a priority to burn yourself a GRUB boot CD.
To see how to burn a GRUB boot CD and how to reinstall GRUB, take a
look at the GRUB man page or the GRUB manual. Or just google a bit.
RLH
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