Need advise for setting up Linux/XP dual boot

[19]

Hi all,
I'm about to set up a new computer and I would like to set it up so that I boot to either Linux or Windows XP, can anyone offer me advise on how to do this? I plan to use a single 80 GB hard drive for both.

 

[MisterMe]

Partition your hard drive to leave enough room for you to do whatever it is you want to do in Linux, Install WinXP, Install Linux on the blank space and then follow this FAQ

 

[19]

Thanks! Is there a particular Linux distribution you'd recommend? Also, is there any way to switch from XP into Linux without rebooting?

 

[MisterMe]

I'm probably not he guy to ask when it comes to Linux but other people tend to recommend Mandrake or Red Hat for the new guy. I would imagine you would need two machines if you wanted to swap between the two while both were running. You get any reasonably priced machine locally out of the classifeds, install linux on it and then use a KVM switch to have instant access to either...Good luck!

 

[topaz22]

i'd suggest making the winxp partition fat32 (so you can mount it in and use it in linux with no probs).. i haven't checked in a while, but ntfs support wasn't 100% last time i looked.

depending on your hardware, you may also want to check out vmware.. i used to run it on a dual piii system and it was pretty smooth, running win 2k in a window in x..