linux newb wants to switch distro's, how

[Vad3r]

I currently dual boot mandrake 10 and XP, useing LILO to boot.

While I managed to get this up and running, I really don't know how to delete/trash a linux distro and replace with another. I have working boot-up with lilo, and partitions made.
I've downloaded KANOTIX which I belive is Debian/Sid. I want to install this distro. From what I've read, this Kanotix distro uses "grub". As I already have a working setup boot-loader, do I have to switch ?.
What do I need to do exactly to get rid of Mandrake to make it all free for Debian ?.

edit:
I almost forgot,
If I have logins for "joe / mike / harry" and backup each. Then create same accounts in new distro. Can I then copy/restore these accounts ?. I'm talking stuff like bookmarks/ emails / cookies / .........

 

[n0cmonkey]

Just install Debian, you can partition and format during the installation.

If you use the same UIDs, you can even use tar -cvpf and tar-xvpf.


EDIT: Grub is supposed to be better than lilo. They should have it working just fine, and adding XP isn't hard. I've posted instructions on it a couple of times.

 

[Vad3r]

Just install Debian, you can partition and format during the installation.

So your saying just install over the old, will I have to create new partitons that are already there ?. I don't need to delete partition first somehow.

If you use the same UIDs, you can even use tar -cvpf and tar-xvpf

Could you explain or point me to where I might understand what those arguements mean/do. If this command somehow backs up and restores accounts as they were, I owe you many beers/drinks.

Grub is supposed to be better than lilo. They should have it working just fine, and adding XP isn't hard.

Grub may be better, but if I already have a working dual boot with lilo, do I "have to" switch to grub ?.
I'm not saying I don't want to switch, I'm just thinking I have excisting partion and boot loader. Is it easier to replace or use whats there.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: Vad3r
So your saying just install over the old, will I have to create new partitons that are already there ?. I don't need to delete partition first somehow.

You can delete the partitions during the install of the new distro, or just use the old partitions.

Could you explain or point me to where I might understand what those arguements mean/do. If this command somehow backs up and restores accounts as they were, I owe you many beers/drinks.

man tar

You can do something like:
tar -cvpf /tmp/home.tar /home to tar up all of the files in /home under /tmp, preserving permissions (the p flag).

To undo it properly, after you have the new distro installed:
cd /
tar -xvpf home.tar

Grub may be better, but if I already have a working dual boot with lilo, do I "have to" switch to grub ?.
I'm not saying I don't want to switch, I'm just thinking I have excisting partion and boot loader. Is it easier to replace or use whats there.

If there's an option to use LILO in the new distro you can probably keep your lilo.conf (back it up and copy it over) in case things don't work properly.

 

[Vad3r]

You can do something like:
tar -cvpf /tmp/home.tar /home to tar up all of the files in /home under /tmp, preserving permissions (the p flag).

To undo it properly, after you have the new distro installed:
cd /
tar -xvpf home.tar

thank you so much, if this restores everything the way it is now, cheers man, big time, thank you. Installing all the software is no problem, getting the accounts back to how the are/were can be time consuming.
I hope to have a new Debian install tomorrow.

Again, thank you.

 

[duragezic]

During install it will ask you about installing the boot loader GRUB, and hopefully will actually tell you it is detecting an XP installation and automatically set it all up for ya. I used LILO long back, and GRUB seems a lot better IMO.