proper order to install a quad boot

[Nvidiaguy07]

ok so ive done a triple boot before by installing xp, then vista, then ubuntu but have never done it with leopard. I plan on installing leopard on its own drive just to make things easier.

Im really not sure how to alter things in grub because in the past i have just relied on my final install of linux sorting everything out. so my boot menu said this:

ubuntu
windows bootloader

and then i choose vista or XP.

what is the proper order i should install these OSes and should i learn how to use grub (im sure this is what i have to do)

Also if something happens to one of my OSes and i just want to reformat and reinstall only one of them without wiping everything else clean how can i do that?

 

[Rhonda the Sly]

1.) Learn to install and modify GRUB.

2.) Failing that:

XP > Vista > Leopard > Ubuntu.

3.1) Wipe.

3.2) Install.

3.3) GRUB... or reinstall Ubuntu. 😛 See, that's why learning to use GRUB is better. lol

 

[Nvidiaguy07]

haha yea thats what i figured i just wanted to make sure.

So im guessing if i want to reinstall something i just format whatever partition and then reinstall. Then if that OS takes priority over the other 3 then use the live cd and set up grub again right?

Is there any good grub tutorials or any resources that will show me how to use grub? Im just looking around now.

 

[BlueAcolyte]

In more detail...

XP --> Vista (vista and xp will show up at this point) --> leopard (no idea what happens here) --> Ubuntu (GRUB should pick up all other operating systems)

I recommend learning grub anyway, very useful.

 

[SolMiester]

Meh, get vmware server 1.07 and install on your Vista, then create virtual machines for the rest!

 

[Nothinman]

Good luck with that. You'll have a much better time if you just VM the OSes you don't plan on using as much.

 

[Nvidiaguy07]

isnt that more taxing on the system though? (VM's)

Im already triple booting whats one more?

 

[MrChad]

What are you trying to do with the 4 OSes?

 

[Nothinman]

isnt that more taxing on the system though? (VM's)

Yea, mostly memory-wise but it's a lot more convenient. Way back when I had more than one OS on my machine I realized that I never touched the other one so eventually I just blew it away and reclaimed the space.

Im already triple booting whats one more?

More wasted space and a reduction of the chance that you'll use the other 3 OSes to 25%.