dual boot .... ideal solution?

[lordsmurf]

I have a computer that comes with Linux. It needs to stay. I also need to install Windows XP and Windows 98SE on the same machine.

How would you accomplish this, and with what software?

I would prefer freeware, but can spend up to $30 if needed.
Referring to boot managers, etc.

[reboot]

Got two hard drives?
Partition the second drive, set it as boot, install 98.
Install XP to the other partition.
Swap drives, so the Linux boots.
Edit lilo (or whatever linux boot loader you're using), and add the 98 and XP partitions.
No additional software needed.

With one drive, it's much more complicated.
You'll need a tiny boot partition (for XP's boot loader), and a partition each for 98 and XP.
You need to set the little partition as C, and install 98, with the boot record being written to C.
Install XP, which will overwrite the boot on C, and install the dual loader for 98/XP.
Edit lilo to select Linux, or the C partition.
(this is only one way, I'm sure there are others).

[lordsmurf]

No.
Single hard drive. Single computer.
Expanding is not an option.
Have to work with what I got.

This is not "Linux" as such, but rather Lindows.
A linux-ish software.

[stiltman]

No.
Single hard drive. Single computer.
Expanding is not an option.
Have to work with what I got.

This is not "Linux" as such, but rather Lindows.
A linux-ish software.

So you're saying you can't reinstall Lindows?

Only way I know (free) to make it work (I've done it in the past) is to install in this order

Install 98
Install XP
Install Linux

[simonko]

Best Way cost money, or the supplies could be laying around your office?

- 3 hdd's (each with their respective OS)

- 1 hdd mobile rack, 3 identical hdd mobile rack trays.

Install rack into computer, install hdd's into trays. Swap out hdds.

Installing windows and linux together on 1 hdd can potentially fu_k things up. Or you could use only 2 hdd. Install XP and 98 duel boot with XP boot.ini on one hdd. Linux will be separate on the other hdd.

[lordsmurf]

Yeah, none of that will work. There will be no hardware added. What is here is all there will be.

It comes with Lindows, it cannot be reinstalled.

I'm looking into installing BootIt NG: http://terabyteunlimited.com/examples.html

I only posted here to see if any better (or cheaper) options were available.

[hellbringer]

i would get norton ghost and put lindows onto some dvdr media if u have that, or im sure u can span accross cdr's. that will fix one of your problems. otherwize u could create a partition and copy lindows there with ghost

[rallynavvie]

The problem is how Lindows partitioned and formatted the only existing hard drive you've got. If it's a format that Windows won't run on (FAT32 or NTFS) then I don't think you'll ever get it to work. Unless you've got a DVD-ROM on there that you can maybe make a basic boot DVD with each Windows OS on it.

If it is formatted FAT32 or can format one of the *nix partitions to that you may be able to get the Windows versions shoehorned in there.

[enstg8er]

you'll need a partition for each os. i don't know of any lindows compatible software that will partition the drive without formatting. if there are no partitions already on the drive, you have a challenge beyond my limited knowledge....

[Supreme2k]

There's OSL2000 ($25)

Master Booter ($20)

Smart Boot Manager (free)

This one's not bad either. I've tried it myself ($20)