Linux Installing Redhat V.9 With XP?

Hey guys, I am a total newb to this and would like all the advice I can get. I've been doing very much researching but I'm still not quite grasping the steps to do.

Ok so this is what I currently have.

Windows XP Home --> 80 GB HD.

Linux Redhat V.9 on 3 discs in ISO form.

Partition Magic V.8 Free Trial.

Don't have...(but need I think?)

A dual booter program.

Ok so I wanna keep XP on my system for my parents but install redhat for me. The thing is I want to do a dual boot system for easy switching. So what steps do I have to go through to do all this? Any help is appreciated. Thanks guys. Any more questions about my setup feel free to ask. - WC

 

OK, I've only done this twice, but what you do is:

BEFORE you start, make sure critical stuff is backed up on cd/dvd/another computer

1. burn all three ISOs to blanc cds

2. Use partition magic (easy if you use the wizards) to make a completely blank partition at the end of the drive, of the size you want for linux (I used 10gb to play with for my first try)

3. make sure cd is before hdd in the boot order in your bios

4. reboot with the first redhat cd in.

5. red hat should guide you through setting up and adding a dual boot program. Once in linux, you should be able to config the booter program (easy in slackware as first linux experience I ever had so should be easier in red hat),

6.done!


Thats from my linux newb point of view, so hope it was simple enough! Wait for a guru to check what I wrote though...

ch424

 

Ok so I used PM and this is what I got...

Does this look ok?

http://img97.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img97&image=partition9ww.jpg

 

Be advised that ATI's linux driver's are still very much in the beta-test stage right now,
and a new set are "due" sometime later this month.

(This is why I'm still on windows for the moment, as these will be the first set to support
64-bit systems)

 

You should merge the linux swap and the other linux partition in partition magic, then let red hat setup create the swap file. Otherwise it gets upset, and that 500mb is wasted.

ch424

 

Not entirly sure why Redhat would want to do that but if it isnt usin that partition to swap with add it in fstab and also type swapon (enter partition here)

its much quicker swapping on a partitiion instead of a file

 

Or you could set the mount points manually during the setup.

 

Alright, hmm. Should I possibly not go with Redhat for a first time user then??

Also let me get this straight. I've got 2 partition of my HD, one for XP, one for Linux. I then boot up the Linux CD, follow install instructions and once booted up the computer will start in linux...? Once I'm there I have to configure a boot loader program to recognize that XP is in fact still on the system...correct? Then once the boot loaders up I can switch between XP and Linux when ever?

 

According to you're screen shot, you've got three partitions. The first you have your Linux swap partition, then your main Linux partition and finally your Windows partition.

IIRC Redhat should offer to setup your boot loader during the installation (allowing you to choose between Windows and Linux imediatelly)

 

Hmm, so I do not need a dual booter program then?

*Btw thanks for everyones help with this, I am very new to the linux scene and the help is highly appreciated*

 

A boot loader (usually Lilo or Grub) is used to boot any number of operating systems.

We've all been there at some point

 

Ok so since I've already dumbed this up now here it is again...

I got 3 Disc ISOs of red hat sitting next to me.

I have the HD partitioned to the 19 GB Linux and 500 MB Swap then XP.

I load up Disc 1, follow instructions I guess...?

Once installed the computer goes to a dual boot screen or right to linux?

Thanks

 

Here's the Redhat manual page for setting up the boot loader (Grub by default)

In the box in the middle of the first image you should see something like:

Code:

default | Label         | Device
-------------------------------------
tick    | Red Hat Linux | /dev/hda2
        |               | /dev/hda3

Select the second entry, click edit and give it a name such as "Windows". That should be all you need to do (obviously, if you want windows to load by default, put a tick against that instead).

 

So by default Windows is going to start up then correct?

How will I get to choose which OS I want to use everyday? Will there be a log on screen asking me do I want to use XP or Redhat?

 

--------

Once the BIOS's POST (Power On Self Test) has complete, Grub will be loaded and you will be presented with a menu containing the two Operating Systems - just select the one you want. If you do nothing, the default OS will be loaded after ~30secs.

 

Alright Simon. Thanks for your help man. I think I will be trying this later on in the day. I'll keep ya informed how it goes.

 

let me know if you get it to work, if not, just remember that restore point we set lol later

 

Omg...so my heart is going like a million miles an hour right now.

I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes!!!!!!! I got linux installed, AND RUNNING!!!! I'm posting from redhat right now!!!

BUT...theres a problem. (Lol when is there not one?)

How do I configure my system to load XP? I'm totally confused on how I log in to XP. Eeek.

Thanks for any info.

 

Well done

I've told you several times and pointed you to the relevant part of the Redhat installation guide. Did you not read my posts?

 

Oh deary, I forgot that part. Is there any way to get back to my other 50 GB and windows now?

I went to view the system info and it says I have 18.8 GB and am using 1.6. It also says it is /dev/hda2

*On a brighter note, I am LOVIN redhat over windows*