Will there be a real benefit dual booting Linux and Win2k?

[NOX]

Ok, before I jump into this I want to know the truth. Is there a real benefit for dual booting Win2k and Linux (Mandrake)? I know all that needs to be known for dual booting both OS. I feel this is more of an experiment for me just to use Linux, I know the consequences that come with doing this (if I screw up), and I?m prepared.

Since I got that out of the way, please all opinions are appreciated.

 

[bigshooter]

If you are going to install Mandrake after you install win2k, then there is virtually no way to mess it up. Mandrake (well at least teh newest versions) does absolutely everything for you. If you just want to learn to use Linux, which i think any person who deals with IT should, do it this way. I personally don't care about what i have to edit in what ini file to get my sound card to work. I just like to use the system for different stuff, and CLI is great for c++, takes away all the distractions. Put it on on a small partition and then just play with it.

 

[igiveup]

I would get into all of the reasons why I wouldn't do it. I guess it comes down to the fact that you either like windows or want something else. Check out this article from redhat on dual booting: http://www.redhat.com/support/manuals/RHL-6.2-Manual/ref-guide/ch-dualboot.html

Note that the problem with windows 2000 and LILO and the MBR is something that all distributions will have to deal with. They don't get along well. I am sure somebody else will comment on this though. In general Linux guys get along well and help each other out.

You will need a separate partition for ext2 however.

 

[NOX]

What about applications, are they widely available? Like MS Word etc.

 

[MGMorden]

There's an application to do virtually anything you want. The full KDE install pretty much comes with everything you need, but the stuff it doesn't include can be easily obtained from sites like freshmeat.net and appwatch.com

 

[SUOrangeman]

For reading and learning, I highly suggest frequent visits to www.linuxnewbie.org

Just a quick note on LILO, the MBR, and other related things mentioned above: Mandrake 7.1 and later are supposedly immune to boot issues related to the 1024-cylinder rule. And with BootPart from www.winimage.com, you can easily add any bootable partition to NT4/2000's boot loader menu (you won't see this menu if you only boot Win2K, but it's there). Just put LILO on the boot sector of your Linux partition and have BootPart put you Linux install on the NT loader menu.

-SUO, somewhat explains 1024th cylinder issue in the partitioning link below

 

[NOX]

Well, this article covers some of the LILO issue, and MBR. Littlewhitedog.

But what is the 1024-cylinder rule?

Btw, I would like to thank IamDavid for all his help.

 

[Bluga]

So Linux can't read NTFS partitions in Win2K?

 

[Bluga]

"1024-cylinder rule" is that you may not be able to boot Linux from a partition using cylinders numbered over 1023. Therefore, you should try to create your Linux root partition within the sub 1024 cylinder range which is almost always possible. If for some reason you don't want to do this, you can just boot from floppy.

 

[MGMorden]

Bluga: The newest version of Lilo can boot past the 1024th cyl (it only works for me though if I put it in the MBR, not on the boot partition). And Linux can read NTFS from Win2k, it just can't write to those (well, experimental support is there but I wouldn't trust it yet).

 

[Bluga]

Thanks! What's the difference between MBR and boot partition? I'm sort of confused

 

[IamDavid]

You'll be able to find just about any type of application you want for Linux.. Star Office is probaly the most useful for me and Music Match just released a version of there Juke Box for Linux.. And in a couple months, if your into gaming, Neverwinter Nights will be released for Linux..

 

[Davegod75]

i don't see any benefits other than for the benefit of learning the OS. I don't see it as practical for most users.

 

[NOX]

Another thing, how is the stability of Linux (Mandrake)? Is it comparable to Win2k, no, better?

 

[IamDavid]

Any Linux distro is very stable... I don't think I've ever had a crash.. From what others have told me Mandrake and Win2K are about the same...

 

[jbird]

If you just want to check Linux out, put the OS on its own partition and boot it from a boot disk.

 

[Bluga]

can someone shed light on my question?

 

[potz]

the mbr is run when the computer boots. the boot partition is the partition that the mbr points to complete the booting process.

 

[tjll11a]

Can linux read dynamic disk in win2k

Thanks
Jason