Triple boot - noob question

[DoubleHelix747]

My first build is underway and I intend to triple boot with Windows XP, Windows 7 and Ubuntu. I have never done this before but this is about learning. Using only one HDD - WD Caviar Black 7200 RPM 640GB. This would be a clean install on a new HDD.

Several questions:

(1) Plan to partition the HDD into four partitions: 3X 80GB for OSs and 400GB for data storage. Are these partition sizes for the OS OK? I guess I am erring towards too much, right?

(2) Sequence - install XP, Win 7 and Ubuntu in that order. Correct?

(3) VinDSL mentioned that I need to hide each of the OS partitions. Is this necessary? He used SystemRescueCD. Can I use that as well - seems like a free download. Anything else/better I could use?

(4) And this probably shows how steep a learning curve I have - I would be using same applications for Windows XP and Windows 7. Does that I mean I need to install my applications twice - once in the XP partition and then again in the Windows 7 partition. See (5) below as well.

(5) I would like to to be able to do a clean install of any of my OSs quickly and simply using an image file (I have Acronis). Will the above scheme work fine?

(6) Any other do's and don'ts?


TIA for any suggestions/help!

 

[dbarton]

Ubuntu could even run under XP if you don't really want a new partition for it.

1. I think win7 wanted 30g, and Ubuntu was ok with 10g.
4. You have to install each app in each OS
5. Seem workable for XP, but maybe not the others
6. Maybe a do make is to make is easier, and just do dual boot because that's more common.

XP and Ubuntu is dual boot is easy.
Vista and Win 7 dual boot is easy.

Not so sure about XP and Win 7. I though I read you needed to have Vista to install Win7..

 

[sciwizam]

Originally posted by: dbarton

Not so sure about XP and Win 7. I though I read you needed to have Vista to install Win7..

Not true, I'm typing this from a dualbooting XP and Win 7 PC.


@ OP: For point 4: Yes, you have to install every app on each OS.

Win 7 can't "see" the XP partition even though it is in NTFS format. But XP can see the Win 7 partition, probably to limit data loss on the XP side when you are using Win 7.

 

[Crusty]

Install, XP then install Win7, then install Ubuntu.

No need to make any partitions hidden unless you don't trust yourself to know which partitions are which when you format them in each install. When you do the Ubuntu install make sure to partition manually though, otherwise it'll wipe your drive out.

I run Xp, Vista, and Ubuntu on my laptop no problems at all. In fact, they all even work with suspend/hibernate properly too

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: Crusty
No need to make any partitions hidden...

I run Xp, Vista, and Ubuntu on my laptop no problems at all.

Are you using GRUB for the bootloader (since you installed it last)?

If so, can you copy n' paste your menu.lst script here?

 

[Crusty]

Originally posted by: VinDSL

Originally posted by: Crusty
No need to make any partitions hidden...

I run Xp, Vista, and Ubuntu on my laptop no problems at all.

Are you using GRUB for the bootloader (since you installed it last)?

If so, can you copy n' paste your menu.lst script here?

Yeah, I am. The trick is to let the Vista bootloader choose between XP/Vista and use Grub to chainload the Vista bootloader. I'll post it later when I'm at home with my laptop but my menu.lst is no different then the default Ubuntu one with a chainloader entry.

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: DoubleHelix747
(3) VinDSL mentioned that I need to hide each of the OS partitions. Is this necessary? He used SystemRescueCD. Can I use that as well - seems like a free download. Anything else/better I could use?

TIA for any suggestions/help!

You can hide partitions from CLI too, for example:

sudo su
grub
geometry (hd0)
hide (hd0,0)
geometry (hd0)
quit

However, most ppl find GUIs more pleasant to work with...

Hiding partitions is foreign to Windows users - it's the Linux way of doing things - so be careful when taking Linux advice from Windows users! They typically don't know HOW nor WHY to hide partitions. They just make wise-cracks to cover their stupidity and/or slothfulness...

This might help you to understand the concept...

http://www.justlinux.com/forum/showthread.php?t=149828

Please note the date of the article - this is nothing new!

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: DoubleHelix747
(2) Sequence - install XP, Win 7 and Ubuntu in that order. Correct?

If you do it the 'Linux way' and hide your partitions...

• The order of installation will be of no consequence and make no difference.

• Each OS will have its own bootloader and act independently of the others.

• Each OS can be maintained/reinstalled without affecting the others.

• If one OS crashes, the others will survive independently of the crash.

• You can multiboot as many incompatible OSs as you like, on the same drive.

If you want to multiboot the 'Windows way', you're on your own...

 

[DoubleHelix747]

Thanks all - valuable info! I will post back once the mission is accomplished.