[angel]

I really have a feeling there is an easy answer to think but I think my brain has shut down.

I currently have Windows 2000 Pro installed and would like to install RedHat and dual boot. I would like to avoid having to reinstall Windows 2000 but I have a feeling I may have to. Let me know if I don't have to.
I have not yet partitioned my drive into more than one - currently sitting at 1 30gig partition. I have Partition Magic so that's shouldn't have any prob there.
I guess my questions are:
1. How many partitions/what size would you recommend?
2. Will I need to reinstall Windows 2000 after RedHat is installed?
3. Can I use Windows 2000's multi boot option or should I use BootMagic?

[inkedmn]

you'll need two more partitions to properly install red hat:
-swap partition
-OS parition

if you install on a separate parition, you won't have to reinstall 2000, even if linux craps on you. just delete the linux partitions and rewrite the master boot record and you're back to where you were.

make an emergency repair disk before installing linux, and create the setup disks to boot with (just in case...)

as far as the actual boot process, you'd be best off using bootmagic just because you want to involve 2000 as little as possible in the dual boot. you don't want a whole lot of garbage in windows 2000 that you don't need.

give it a try, let me know how it works out.

also, if you haven't already bought Red Hat, you might consider using Mandrake instead. it's more user friendly.

for a ton of great linux info, http://www.linuxnewbie.org

have fun

[angel]

I'll give it a shot and let you know if I have any other questions or any probs.
I do also have Mandrake so we'll see...

Oh - I do have another question. Any recommedation for the partition sizes?
I'm currently using NTFS with 2000 so I will also need to create a FAT partition for BootMagic, correct?

[angel]

I guess this should probably be in the Linux forum. Can this be moved?

My main concern is that I want to install BootMagic or just use Windows 2000's boot options but not sure if Windows 2000 needs to be installed last to use it's boot menu or at what point BootMagic would need to be installed (before or after Linux?).

I would also like some suggestions for the partition sizes.

Thanks!

[Anne Troy]

Moved to Linux forum at user's request.

(And I must say I've never been in here before. Can you hear the echo? This is an official pot-shot at Linux persons--in case the three of you didn't notice...)

[Edited by Dreamboat on 03-29-2001 at 12:04 AM]

[MikeV]

Jeez...

um, the reason there aren't many posts in here is because Linux doesn't crash all the time!!!

Duh.

[Anne Troy]

Aha!

But I see that when we do put a question in here, it goes unanswered?

(Dreamboat runs so Mikey won't hit her!!)

[MikeV]

Yeah, Mikey has been working horrendous hours, trying to fix stuff at the house, get landscaping done, AND start doing work on the 65 Mustang :-D

I've been redirecting a lot of people to http://www.linuxnewbie.org which I also don't really frequent that much anymore either, but I'm friends with the Admin there, and theres some SERIOUS gurus over there, not just a weekend hack like myself =)

Now, if my wonderful BOSS (ich) would let me run a Linux box at work, I'd be able to answer lots of more stuff. :-)

***hugz tha dreamy one***

-M

[Anne Troy]

((((Hugs back))))) and says "Give ich a kiss for me!"

[angel]

Thought I'd give this one more shot...
Anyone that might be able to help me?

[MikeV]

Originally posted by angel
I have Partition Magic so that's shouldn't have any prob there.

Okay, you're already ahead of the game :-) Install this before you do anything else.

I guess my questions are:
1. How many partitions/what size would you recommend?

Decide how much space you want to give Linux. Then, use Partition Magic to create 2 partitions for Linux. Make one a regular Linux(ext2) partition, and make another small Linux(swap) partition. Make your swap partition roughly 2x the amount of ram you have. I have 128MB of ram, so I made a 256 meg swap partition.

2. Will I need to reinstall Windows 2000 after RedHat is installed?

Nope.

3. Can I use Windows 2000's multi boot option or should I use BootMagic?

Don't know for sure whether Win2K can boot a Linux partition (but, I'll bet NO), however, BootMagic can boot darn near anything you wanna throw at it.

Remember one more thing when you install: Make sure you install LILO to the superblock of the Linux Root partition. If you don't, you'll write it to the MBR and overwrite BootMagic. That would be bad

Feel free to email me personally if you run into any trouble. I'm usually more available via email than I am the BB.

-M