Running Windows and Linux.

F

Foonie

Staff Emeritus
What would be the best way to run both Linux and Windows? I was looking at CoLinux, but I figured I'd ask in here first.

EDIT: Colinux seems to be if you need to run Linux in Windows, which really isn't what I'm looking for. I remember seeing someone having it set up, so when his computer was loading, he could choose between booting up Linux and Windows.
 
Most common distros will install side by side with windows on the same machine. Clean up and defrag your windows box.
Install something like Mandriva or SUSE. When you start installing, it will ask you if you want to use empty space on your harddrive to make a linux partition. If you dont know what youa re doing, then just give linux oh, 10 GB of space on your HD and let it do auto partitioning inside of that partition. During installation, GRUB will be installed. It's a boot menu, and should have Windows listed as a boot option, once everything is installed. The safer way is to install it to it's own harddrive, following the same procedures. Please remember to BACk UP ANYTHING IMPORTANT before you do this, as I HAVE seen a linux installation hose windows installations before.
If you are running an ATI video card, be sure to use the latest STABLE distro of a well known distro, not their betas, as the ATi drivers can be quite funky to get installed.
Good luck.
 
Partitioning definitely seems to be the way most people go. As far as a separate hard drive, a friend of mine does that and uses a switcher to go back and forth...but I'm no techy, and that's beyond me.

Eredhel
 
Use a different HDD instead of partitioning, I've lost data because my MBR got fucked before.
 
I use VirtualPC so I can run WindowsXP and Linux (SuSE 10) at the same time. Works like a champ.
 
Zlaeks said:
I use VirtualPC so I can run WindowsXP and Linux (SuSE 10) at the same time. Works like a champ.
Click to expand...

Runs slow as hell, too.

Unless your computer is magic and powered by fairy dust and benevolent sprites, I guess.
 
zodium said:
Use a different HDD instead of partitioning, I've lost data because my MBR got fucked before.
Click to expand...

Fixing your MBR isn't too hard if you get rid of your Linux partition, well, at least if you use Windows XP as far as I've found. Just took me around 2-3 hours the first time to figure out how to use the install CD and recovery console to delete and rewrite a Windows MBR.
 
zodium said:
Use a different HDD instead of partitioning, I've lost data because my MBR got fucked before.
Click to expand...

I agree with the separate HD. But it depends on what you're planning to use it for. If it's non-critical for both OS's go nuts. But messing around with the MBR can be annoying as well as time consuming. My problems may have also have been because of partition magic.

Zlaeks said:
I use VirtualPC so I can run WindowsXP and Linux (SuSE 10) at the same time. Works like a champ.
Click to expand...

Were you using Microsoft VirtualPC? I tried it a few months back and didn't get too far. I didn't have a goal in mind, so I just stopped trying. I've heard real good things about VMware, but haven't used it myself. If this is a route you are considering, make sure you've got quite a bit of resources at your disposal on the PC.

Good luck!

-Farcy
 
Yeah using MS VirtualPC. It needs service pack 1 on it before it will work with Linux.

It's not tooooo slow actualy. Getting Linux installed was a bit time consuming, but not sure how time consuming compared to just regular installed since I have never done that on this computer.

I run a P4-3000 something, with 1.5 gig of ram. Nothing spectacular. Do run some nice server class hard drive though which might make a difference.

It's a great way to experiment with different OS's and software. The "o'hell I didn't just do that?" option is nice =)

VMWare is good, but I THINK a bit overkill for home use. MS also has a new product out called Virtual Server (might not be RTM yet).
 
I've used both VMWare andf the M$ VirtualPC for different things and both have thier pros and cons like all software comparisons do.

Currently I keep VirtualPC installed on my laptop as I quite often use it to do NT4 (yeah some people still have it running) to 2000/2003 Active Directory migrations smoothly..

Actually had one site that I ran thier server (file print and a 15GB SQL database) from a Virtual session on my Laptop for almost a week due to some issues that had occured and at the time was just plain easier to do it that way. No one seemed to complain about speed issues etc during that time either.
 
zodium said:
Zlaeks said:
I use VirtualPC so I can run WindowsXP and Linux (SuSE 10) at the same time. Works like a champ.
Click to expand...

Runs slow as hell, too.

Unless your computer is magic and powered by fairy dust and benevolent sprites, I guess.
Click to expand...


Magic = Intel Dual P4 3200s
Fairy Dust = 4G RAM
Bevevolent Sprites = 2+ SCSI or SATA Striped drives

Be sure to give MS-VPC the entire second processor. Oh yeah, you will need at least 128M or better video to ensure the system doesn't need any of the processor to push video.
 
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