I know this topic comes up way too often in the forum, but I need some clarification and some questions answered. I am planning on running a triple boot system consisting of Win98, Win2k Pro, and Linux (Redhat or Debian). I've read all the threads about triple booting, including SUOrangeman's excellent post, but would like some advice/comments/recommendations/clarification on some things.
I will be using Linux as the primary OS to force myself to get a deeper understanding of the OS. Win2k will be used for things I can't do in Linux (Visual C++, etc) and Win98 will be used for games and to address compatibilty issues that may arise with Win2k (Few as there may be now). I have decided upon the following partitioning scheme -provided it will work correclty and meet my needs.
1.5 GB C: Primary Win32 -Win98 system files
1.5 GB D: Extended Logical NTFS -Win2k system files
4.0 GB E: Extended Logical Unformatted -Linux partitions
2.0 GB F: Extended Logical NTFS -Personal/Work Files
10 GB G: Extended Logical Win32 -Applications, games
11 GB H: Extended Logical Win32 -Storage (MP3s, downloads, etc.)
Now for the questions:
1. Will 1.5GB be enough for the Win2k system files? Most of the apps and games will be on the Application partition.
2. Will 4GB be enough for a full Linux install with all the apps, utilities, etc. that I will need/want to use.
3. Will I be able to split the Linux partition into separate partitions for swap, home, whatever, during the Linux installation without screwing everything up in Windows?
4. If I need more space for linux in the future, will I be able to cannibalize the last partition without causing problems in Windows or having to reformat the entire drive?
5. Will Win98's fdisk suffice for the partitioning and formatting or will I need to get a third party utility? I am unable to place the drive in another computer so it would have to run off a floppy.
6. I believe Linux is able to read and write Win32 partitions (I hear NTFS support is unreliable) with some additions/modifications. Is this true and will I be able to play mp3s and read/write files that are on the last partition (H: Storage) from within Linux?
7. I should be able to install applications from within Win98 and Win2k to the same location and use the app in both environments without having a copy of the app for each OS, correct?
8. Are there any other issues or problems I may encounter using this setup?
My understanding of the process is this:
1. Starting with a completely empty drive, boot up with the Win98 CD and load fdisk. Create the partitons and then format partitions c, g, and h as Win32 using "format c:".
2. Once the necessary partitions are formatted, install Win98.
3. Install Win2k as an additional OS and not an upgrade.
4. Choose partition D: to install Win2k on and format it NTFS. (Doesn't Win2k format all unformatted partitions it detects? How do I avoid this if it does?)
5. After Win2k's installation, the boot manager should detect both Win98 and Win2k. Load Win2k and format the other partitions appropriately if they aren't already formatted.
6. Using the Linux partition utility, separate E: into the proper partitions Linux needs and install Linux making sure it doesn't overwrite the MBR, place LILO on root, and configure it to boot with a floppy so I can later make the changes to use Win2k's boot menu.
7. Once everything is up and running and I can boot all three OSes, update the drivers, install apps, etc.
Okay, this post is rather long, but I wanted to address everything. I'd appreciate any help or constructive comments regarding my configuration and installation procedure. Where am I wrong and what did I miss? Thanks in advance!
I will be using Linux as the primary OS to force myself to get a deeper understanding of the OS. Win2k will be used for things I can't do in Linux (Visual C++, etc) and Win98 will be used for games and to address compatibilty issues that may arise with Win2k (Few as there may be now). I have decided upon the following partitioning scheme -provided it will work correclty and meet my needs.
1.5 GB C: Primary Win32 -Win98 system files
1.5 GB D: Extended Logical NTFS -Win2k system files
4.0 GB E: Extended Logical Unformatted -Linux partitions
2.0 GB F: Extended Logical NTFS -Personal/Work Files
10 GB G: Extended Logical Win32 -Applications, games
11 GB H: Extended Logical Win32 -Storage (MP3s, downloads, etc.)
Now for the questions:
1. Will 1.5GB be enough for the Win2k system files? Most of the apps and games will be on the Application partition.
2. Will 4GB be enough for a full Linux install with all the apps, utilities, etc. that I will need/want to use.
3. Will I be able to split the Linux partition into separate partitions for swap, home, whatever, during the Linux installation without screwing everything up in Windows?
4. If I need more space for linux in the future, will I be able to cannibalize the last partition without causing problems in Windows or having to reformat the entire drive?
5. Will Win98's fdisk suffice for the partitioning and formatting or will I need to get a third party utility? I am unable to place the drive in another computer so it would have to run off a floppy.
6. I believe Linux is able to read and write Win32 partitions (I hear NTFS support is unreliable) with some additions/modifications. Is this true and will I be able to play mp3s and read/write files that are on the last partition (H: Storage) from within Linux?
7. I should be able to install applications from within Win98 and Win2k to the same location and use the app in both environments without having a copy of the app for each OS, correct?
8. Are there any other issues or problems I may encounter using this setup?
My understanding of the process is this:
1. Starting with a completely empty drive, boot up with the Win98 CD and load fdisk. Create the partitons and then format partitions c, g, and h as Win32 using "format c:".
2. Once the necessary partitions are formatted, install Win98.
3. Install Win2k as an additional OS and not an upgrade.
4. Choose partition D: to install Win2k on and format it NTFS. (Doesn't Win2k format all unformatted partitions it detects? How do I avoid this if it does?)
5. After Win2k's installation, the boot manager should detect both Win98 and Win2k. Load Win2k and format the other partitions appropriately if they aren't already formatted.
6. Using the Linux partition utility, separate E: into the proper partitions Linux needs and install Linux making sure it doesn't overwrite the MBR, place LILO on root, and configure it to boot with a floppy so I can later make the changes to use Win2k's boot menu.
7. Once everything is up and running and I can boot all three OSes, update the drivers, install apps, etc.
Okay, this post is rather long, but I wanted to address everything. I'd appreciate any help or constructive comments regarding my configuration and installation procedure. Where am I wrong and what did I miss? Thanks in advance!
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