Dual boot?

ZackZ · 08-26-2007, 12:47 PM

I have Installed both Linux and Windows XP on computer before, but never together. I want to do a dual boot with Windows XP and Fedora, however I am not really sure how to accomplish this. I tried google-ing for guides and stuff but I found nothing useful. Can someone point me in the right direction/or tell me how to do this?

**K-B** · 08-26-2007, 02:46 PM

You will need:
1)(Best method) a separate hard drive for Linux
2) Create a second partition for Linux

It's actually not hard, during the installation it should ask you whether you want Linux to take over the whole HDD or whether you want to keep an existing OS installation (in this case, Windows). It will set up GRUB (or LiLo) for you.

If you run into any problem, feel free to ask . . . maybe others will have some more pointers or suggestions. It's been a while since I've installed Fedora, but I don't recall that it was any more difficult than any other distro. Remember to back up any important data before beginning.

ZackZ · 08-26-2007, 06:56 PM

The main reason I want to do it is so that when my Windows Crashes I can get my files off. Now If I set Windows as the primary OS, how would I use Linux, will it ask me? I've never done a dual boot before so sorry for the stupid questions.

**K-B** · 08-26-2007, 07:03 PM

Ok, yes. The way that works is when you start your computer, before Windows starts loading, the bootloader screen (GRUB or LILO) will come up. That allows you to select which OS you'd like to load. You can set any OS as the default and set up a timeout, so for instance, Windows will load after 10 seconds (giving you 10 seconds to select which OS you'd like).
But if all you're going to use it for is recovery, I personally would just use a Live CD or the Linux distribution of your choice - you don't have to install it, you would just boot from the CD whenever it's necessary.
That's your call though, if you'd rather install Linux to the HDD I'm not going to stop you

08-26-2007, 12:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
ZackZ Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 12 OS: Windows XP Home SP2	Dual boot? I have Installed both Linux and Windows XP on computer before, but never together. I want to do a dual boot with Windows XP and Fedora, however I am not really sure how to accomplish this. I tried google-ing for guides and stuff but I found nothing useful. Can someone point me in the right direction/or tell me how to do this? Last edited by ZackZ; 08-26-2007 at 12:50 PM.

08-26-2007, 02:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
K-B Moderator, Linux Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NY Posts: 2,878 OS: Vista, Ubuntu My System	Re: Dual boot? You will need: 1)(Best method) a separate hard drive for Linux 2) Create a second partition for Linux It's actually not hard, during the installation it should ask you whether you want Linux to take over the whole HDD or whether you want to keep an existing OS installation (in this case, Windows). It will set up GRUB (or LiLo) for you. If you run into any problem, feel free to ask . . . maybe others will have some more pointers or suggestions. It's been a while since I've installed Fedora, but I don't recall that it was any more difficult than any other distro. Remember to back up any important data before beginning. __________________

08-26-2007, 06:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
ZackZ Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 12 OS: Windows XP Home SP2	Re: Dual boot? The main reason I want to do it is so that when my Windows Crashes I can get my files off. Now If I set Windows as the primary OS, how would I use Linux, will it ask me? I've never done a dual boot before so sorry for the stupid questions.

08-26-2007, 07:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
K-B Moderator, Linux Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NY Posts: 2,878 OS: Vista, Ubuntu My System	Re: Dual boot? Ok, yes. The way that works is when you start your computer, before Windows starts loading, the bootloader screen (GRUB or LILO) will come up. That allows you to select which OS you'd like to load. You can set any OS as the default and set up a timeout, so for instance, Windows will load after 10 seconds (giving you 10 seconds to select which OS you'd like). But if all you're going to use it for is recovery, I personally would just use a Live CD or the Linux distribution of your choice - you don't have to install it, you would just boot from the CD whenever it's necessary. That's your call though, if you'd rather install Linux to the HDD I'm not going to stop you __________________