question before Linux plunge - MBR, edit, save ?

[Vad3r]

I have Mandrake downloaded and burned to disks.
1st, anyway to verify disks are ready to use as install disks (ie. not gonna get some error mid install).
I currently have a dual boot of C: WinXP D: Win98. I had win98 for the just in case something didn't work in xp, but I never use it. So Mandrake can have the D drive.
Do I / should I format D: before installing mandrake to D: . Also, do I need to edit the MBR before installing, so that it's only C: WinXP. Is there a way to save/backup the MBR should I need in future. (Is MBR the same as "boot.ini" ? )
My WinXP install is FAT32, I want to convert to NTFS, should I do this before installing Mandrake or can I do it anythime.

So many more questions, but they can wait till I have Mandrake up and running

thx for any help, just a linux newb here thats alittle nervous before making the plunge.

 

[pac1085]

You dont need to format your windows 98 drive for mandrake. You can do it from within the install process.
I dont know about 'backing up' the mbr, but if mandrake takes it over and you want the old windows xp mbr, boot off of your XP cd, go into the recovery console and type fixmbr.
I wouldnt convert your Windows XP partition to NTFS if you plan on writing to it from within linux. Linux's NTFS write support sucks.

 

[Vad3r]

great, thx. Well a example of needing to share NTFS and Linux, well two I would like to able to read my mp3's in Linux from C:winxp (I don't really wanna copy all my mp3s to D:linux if I don't have to), and #2, I want to use linux for all email, if I get a attachment in a email while in linux, I want to able to save the file so that I can read it when in Winxp. Will converting to NTFS hinder this.

The reason I want to conver winxp to NTFS is, the wife and I got a digital video camera at Xmas. I want to be able to capture video and not have to worry about the file size limitation of FAT32. Of course I don't have my firewire card as of yet, but I am getting one.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Originally posted by: Vad3r
I have Mandrake downloaded and burned to disks.
1st, anyway to verify disks are ready to use as install disks (ie. not gonna get some error mid install).

Yes, using the MD5Sums that are listed with the ISO images on the server you downloaded them from. There should be a text document that includes the MD5Sum for each ISO image, and you will need to download MD5Sum.exe for Windows.

I personally recommend installing from the hard drive. I did it for my last install and it has worked wonderfully. You don't have to burn CDs, swap CDs (installation or installing additional packages later), and it installs much faster than from the CD drive.

I currently have a dual boot of C: WinXP D: Win98. I had win98 for the just in case something didn't work in xp, but I never use it. So Mandrake can have the D drive.
Do I / should I format D: before installing mandrake to D: . Also, do I need to edit the MBR before installing, so that it's only C: WinXP.

You will have the option to repartition the drive during the install, and you can reformat it then. I recommend several partitions, using EXT3 for most of the partitions but FAT32 for any partition you wish to share with Windows.

Is there a way to save/backup the MBR should I need in future. (Is MBR the same as "boot.ini" ? )

There are utilities available to do just that. Google for some free ones.

My WinXP install is FAT32, I want to convert to NTFS, should I do this before installing Mandrake or can I do it anythime.

This should have no bearing on the Linux installation, so you can do it anytime.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Originally posted by: Vad3r
I would like to able to read my mp3's in Linux from C:winxp (I don't really wanna copy all my mp3s to D:linux if I don't have to)

Reading NTFS from Mandrake is possible, but writing is not recommended/possible at this time.

I want to use linux for all email, if I get a attachment in a email while in linux, I want to able to save the file so that I can read it when in Winxp. Will converting to NTFS hinder this.

See my first reply.

 

[Vad3r]

Oh, forgot something to ask. Will mandrake automaticly make a dual boot menu for me (I read it detects windows). The way I have it now is, power on pc, menu choices:
1. Windows xp
2. Windoes 98
With a 15 second countdown. if no choice made after that 15 seconds, xp loads.

Will mandrake set this up, and what will it make as default OS. I'm guessing mandrake will make itself the default to load up, but I really need the menu to choose. I want to learn linux, but I can't force it on the wife, at least not at this time As long as there is a menu to choose at boot up, all will be good.

thx guys

 

[Spyro]

Originally posted by: Vad3r
Oh, forgot something to ask. Will mandrake automaticly make a dual boot menu for me (I read it detects windows). The way I have it now is, power on pc, menu choices:
1. Windows xp
2. Windoes 98
With a 15 second countdown. if no choice made after that 15 seconds, xp loads.

Will mandrake set this up, and what will it make as default OS. I'm guessing mandrake will make itself the default to load up, but I really need the menu to choose. I want to learn linux, but I can't force it on the wife, at least not at this time As long as there is a menu to choose at boot up, all will be good.

thx guys

Mandrake autodetects windows fairly well, but make a windows boot disk and be prepared to run "fdisk /mbr" in case it screws up (or somebody unplugs the power on your box immediately after install). Of course, it makes itself the default But its pretty easy to configure that using the control panel. Just launch the control center and change the boot options.