Pls Help! Multi-OS (Win2K SVR, XP & Linux)

[New Guide]

Hi All,

Would Anyone know how to partition (if possible) the following Muti-OS in one HDD (40G).  Is it Possible and how?

1) Windows 2000 Server
2) Windows XP
3) Linux

Thanks a lot!

[Josetann]

First you need to decide how much space you need for each OS, and if you need Linux to be able to write to the Windows partitions (Linux can pretty easily read from NTFS partitions but not write...it can read and write fine from FAT32 though).

You could perhaps have a10gig partition for Linux, a 512MB or so partition for the Linux Swap, a 2gig for Win2k, a 2gig for WinXP, and the rest formatted FAT32 so all three OS\'s can use it (install programs there to share between win2k and winxp, keep mp3\'s there so all three OS\'s can play them, etc.).  I would probably partition the drive first, have the 10gig (or whatever you choose) partition for Linux at the front of the drive.  Install Win2k first, then WinXP.  Lastly install Linux, LILO has always found my WinNT/2k/XP installs and configured everything for me.

Just a rough suggestion.

[New Guide]

Dear josetann,

Thanks for your promptly reply!  Actually, I am very new to the configurating the partition, would you suggest any SW and teach me the way to do it?

One of my friend suggest me to use the Partition Magic 8, will it met the requirment to install the Win2k Server, XP & Linux at the same HDD?

Thanks a lot!
New Guide

[Josetann]

You could just start an install of linux, in order to create the first two linux partitions.  After it writes the partition table, exit out of the install, go install win2k and winxp (can format the remaining partitions using win2k or winxp), then go back to the linux install.  Linux needs to be installed last, if you want to use LILO (else windows will overwrite the boot sector, you\'ll have to start linux using the boot floppy, and rerun lilo).

If you have Partition Magic, it would probably make it easier for you.  It\'s not necessary to spend the money to get it now, but you may have a need for it in the future too, so it wouldn\'t be a bad investment.

[Anonymous]

Thanks!

Actaully, where can I get the LILO software and is it a full name of the software?

[Josetann]

LILO is the name of a linux boot manager, it comes with most distros, and is free of charge.

[Space Between]

I think it might be easier than that even. I don\'t know for sure becuase i do run linux 7.3 but not alot. I have 6.? something already configured up so i use that. But i have installed 7.3 and i think you can even have it so it doesn\'t over right the MBR. I know i installed linux after a win2k and everything worked fine. So i guess that is the case. I know if you fuc it up you can download a script from several place\'s that will restore your NT MBR for you and then...like josetann said you would have to proceed to a linux boot from floppy and reinstall.  The latest version of Mandrake linux (i\'m taking it your new or newer to linux) is extremly friendly and extremely powerfull more than ever.

I would not however install 2ksrver or advanced server in a Linux machine...ive heard horror stories about that...but then again ive never even tried it.

Like alot of people have mentioned. You can run VMWare or some other\'s to run almost all windows applications today. So if your serious about it i would go with the biggest partition to be for linux. Im not sure if VMWare or the alike will still run thoe\'s application\'s if the NT MBR is wiped out...that i would like to know myself.