Multi-boot question: Win2K, Linux and BeOS?!

[Skaven]

Ok, here is the situation. I want to wipe my system clean and start from scratch. I want to put Win2k Pro as my main OS. While also installing Linux (Redhat?) and BeOS as my multi-boots. Primarily to play around with them.

Here is my system:
BP6 2x600mhz 128mb ram
TNT2 Ultra
Adaptec 2940UW - 4GB Wide, 6x4x24 CDRW, 40Max CD, 1GB Jaz
Intel Pro 10/100
SBLive
Maxtor 10gb IDE drive on Ata33 channel

I opted to swap my 30gb 75gxp for the gaming rig and take the 10gb Maxtor for the BP6.

My idea for partitioning is the following: 2gb NTFS partition on 4gb SCSI drive for Win2k. The remaining 2GB go to Linux paritions. On the 10gb drive the first 1gb also goes to Linux and another 1gb goes to a native BeOS partition. The rest is FAT32 for shared data (MP3s, Documents etc..).

First question is this, how can I add BeOS and Linux to the boot loader?? OR should I even bother with the Win2K boot loader? Would it be better to use LILO?? Let me know what you guys think. I only mention the Win2K loader because I am more familiar with that OS.

Second question. Which distro of Linux should I use? I want ease of installation, but not with a lot of bloat. I tried mandrake a while back, and it was just TOO big! I would rather install the programs that I want to use myself (I can learn that way!) Is Redhat the way to go? Keep in mind the need for good SMP support and my system specs. Also, what is the best way to partition the space for linux? I'll have 3gig total, 2 on the SCSI and 1gb on the IDE (I could increase the space, but I don't think I should need more than 3gb for Linux + apps). Any tips?

Last question. I downloaded the personal edition of BeOS. How can I get it to isntall onto a native Be Partition? Do I just run it off of the Fat32 partition at first, and then use Be to create its own partition? How can I "MOVE" the OS to the native partition?

I know, this is like 3 posts in one, but if you guys can point me in the right direction I would apprecaite it.

Thanks!

-Skaven

 

[robisc]

1. I have Win2k, Win98SE, Linux and Beos Pro on 1 machine 5 different partitions, 1 is a storage partition. I use the BeOS boot manager it works great.
2. I use Mandrake so I can't answer that one since you didn't like it.
3. For installing to a real partition go here Betips

 

[Mucman]

Damn... this is exactly what I was going to ask! I am planning my christmas vacation around the re-orginization of my computer . One would be the best install order? I just want Linux and Be to play around with... once I learn how to use them I probably will have a better knowledge of them and will do this over again so I have it just right...

I will probably have these HD's by the time I do this

9G WD Expert 7200
27G Quantum LX 7200
80G Maxtor 5400

I figure I will have all the OS's running on the 27G and have the 9G has a sort of backup and the 80G is multimedia storage... I have ~1500CD's I eventually want to mp3 and my 27G is 25G full of mp3's right now.

How is BeOS for music recording? That is primarily why I want to try it out.

thanks

Sorry for stealing your post Skaven

 

[SUOrangeman]

I have Win9x/ME/ Win2K, Linux (mandrake), and BeOS running on a few systems. I use 2K's NT boot loader as I can get directly into all 4 OSes. To add bootable partitions to the boot loader, use bootpart from WinImage.com. Free and easy.

-SUO

 

[robisc]

Mucman what do you mean music recording, exactly what are you doing? ALso SUOrangeman uses the 2K loader with bootpart, I was never able to get that to work successfully, that is why I use the Be Bootman, it works great with my 4 OSs though.

 

[fogleroller]

I have Win95/WinNT4WS/RH6.1/BEOS5/FREESCO Router (linux) all on one hard drive (several partitions)

use LILO!!!

I installed win95 first, then WinNT, then RH6.1 and used LILO.

when you boot up, at the LILO prompt type DOS, then I choose win95 or NT

Or you can change it so that it goes into DOS mode by itself.

(I have mine set to automatically go in to WinNT, so if anyone here at work turns it on, they wont freak out)

 

[Mucman]

robisc, nothing major right now. I use Cakewalk 9 to make a few recordings of some bass and guitar tracks... PM me if you would like to hear one of em. I want to make an album (no band, just a solo album), and I would like to do it through my computer as a recording studio...