Do you create a multiboot system with both Linux and windows?

Question

Recently, I have been considering a multiboot system. For example, I want to know what does it take to use window xp and redhat linux 7.0 or 9.0 within the same computer. What is required for this process.

Answer 1

you can do that, a dual boot system with windows and linux. But you need to install windows first before installing linux, not the other way around.

Answer 2

Make your life much easier with virtualization and get either VMware or MS Virtual PC.

These software allows you to run both OS's at the same time from the same PC. However, one OS will be the host and other will be running on top of the host in a window that you can expand to full view and work as if you booted to it.

The virtual file created can be stored anywhere and does not requires you create more partitions in your PC.

I even run remotely some of my virtual appliances (free Linux distributions) stored from a network attached storage with a 100TX connection.

Get more info at their sites.

vmware.com
microsoft.com

Answer 3

Make sure you have a separate partition on your computer's hard drive, or a separate drive entirely, for Linux to reside on. WinXP does not like to give up any space on it's drive for multiboot, so you cant use the older "lives on windows drives" methods that you could with WinME, Win98 and Win95.

Answer 4

a large enough hard drive
install windows first
then the linux
it should be pretty straighforward and give you a multiboot menu at startup
( linux will be the default if you do not touch anything - wonder why)

Answer 5

Very old and clunky Linux versions.

Try Kubuntu instead. It is very easy to install as dual-boot on an XP box.

Answer 6

Do this on a test PC only. Keep both operating systems on two separate drives, or two separate partitions. It will save you lot of time, and aggravation.

It can be done, but don't do it, if you don't need to...