Dual Boot

[Ohwell]

My new PC arrives soon and I'd like to make it Dual Boot with Linux & XP.

Unfortunately it comes with XP pre-loaded (Dell wouldn't send it bare) and I've been told it's best to install the Linux first.

Is this the case or will I be able to get the Linux on with XP already there. It has two HDDs and I believe only one will be loaded with XP.

Is it advisable to start from scratch and wipe whatever is preloaded?

[reynolds]

re

Just install linux (which one are you using?) on the other disk. The dual-boot thing can be a real pain unless you get it bob-on so sticking them on 2 HDDs is safer. To change OS at boot do it through BIOS. Doing dual-boot is ideal but a lot more fidgety with partitions.

[Mark Snowdon]

dual boot

is pIss easy. Linux installs best AFTER windows - cos windows doesnt understand the idea of anything else being on the disk.

Either use pmagic or similar to shrink your xp partition or have linux install on a 2nd disk.

[MisterGoof]

Re: dual boot

As Mark Snowdon says use pmagic to shrink your XP partition

I also created my Linux partitions with pmagic b4 installing Linux, just a personal preference.

[reynolds]

Reual-boot

Did you sort it ohwell?