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Article by Canucklehead    (Tuesday July 30th 2002 03:17 PM)
With all the word of Linux and BeOS these days, you're curious what dual booting is right? Dual booting refers to the number of Operating Systems (OS) running on a single computer - in this case two, though you can have more. OS's can range from Win9x (95 / 98 / SE / ME), WinNT / 2k, all distributions (referred to as "distro's" for short) of Linux (Slackware, RedHat, Mandrake, and Debian to name a few), FreeBSD, QNX, AthenOS, and BeOS to name a few. Dual booting allows you to run any of the OS's mentioned, in any OS combination you choose. Dual booting allows for great learning opportunities. You don't need to buy another computer to support that other OS, and you can get used to running other OSs on your spare time to help with both curiosity and round out that resume. Though we won't be installing a particular OS as there are so many to choose from, we will be covering the basics:

Preparation Step #1: When considering installing another OS on your computer, there are two very important rules:
  • Back up your files, and make sure you have the original OS install CD (or floppies) on hand! This way, even if the worst happens you only have to re-install whatever OS you were using, let alone have to use another computer to access your files. This should be habit regardless if you are dual booting or not - file backups save you a lot of grief in case the worse happens and the hard drive fails on you.
  • Make sure your hardware is supported! By that, I mean to check to make sure that your monitor, video card, keyboard, mouse, Network Interface Card (NIC), scanner, printer, etc. are mentioned on the list of hardware that works with your OS-to-be. Nothing worse then installing the OS only to find out that you can't run it!


Preparation Step #2: Where to download these Operating Systems?

If you have a CD-RW (burner) and a high-speed Internet connection, you can find a lot of the OSs mentioned online for downloading. The OSs are typically stored in the *.ISO file format, so be sure to have set your file formats on "all" in order to find the file once you have finished downloading it. Because of the *.ISO format, you'll also need to make sure that your CD burning software and burner can handle the file format. If your currently installed software does not, you can grab a copy of [url=http://www.nero.com]Nero[/url] providing that your burner is supported. Now that we're sure you can burn the file, you can head over to [url=http://www.linuxiso.org]Linux ISO[/url] for a list of available Linux distros, though there are many more available. See the table below for a list of available OS software (not just Linux), and the link to their sites:

Operating System
[url=http://www.amiga.com]AmigaOS[/url] [url=http://www.eit.de]EasyLinux[/url][url=http://www.laetos.org]LaetOS[/url][url=http://www.nexus-project.net]Nexus Linux[/url][url=http://www.slackware.com]Slackware[/url]
[url=http://www.arm.uk.linux.org]ARM Linux[/url][url=http://www.elflinux.com]Elfstone Linux[/url][url=http://www.linux.org]Linux[/url][url=http://www.nomadlinux.com]NoMad Linux[/url][url=http://www.sun.com/software/solaris/binaries]Sun Solaris[/url]
[url=http://www.armed.net]Armed Linux[/url][url=http://www.dobit.com/emblin]Emblin[/url][url=http://www.libranet.com]LibraNet Linux[/url][url=http://www.openbsd.org]OpenBSD[/url][url=http://linux.speedbros.com]SpeedBrothers Linux[/url]
[url=http://www.atheos.com]AtheOS[/url][url=http://www.finnix.org]Finnix[/url][url=http://www.linuxantarctica.com"]Linux Antarctica[/url] [url=http://www-4.ibm.com/software/os/warp/]OS/2[/url][url=http://www.stampede.org]Stampede GNU/Linux[/url]
[url=http://www.brainscan.bc.ca/atom]AtomLinux[/url][url=http://finux.sourceforge.net]Finux[/url][url=http://www.linux-embedded.com]Linux Embedded[/url][url=http://metalab.unc.edu/peanut]Peanut Linux[/url][url=http://www.stormix.com]Storm Linux[/url]
BeOS
([url=http://www.be.com/products/freebeos]Free version[/url]) ([url=http://www.be.com]Pro version[/url])		[url=http://www.freebsd.org" class="norm]FreeBSD[/url][url=http://linux.s390.org]Linux for S/390[/url][url=http://www.phatlinux.com]Phat Linux[/url][url=http://www.suse.com]SuSE[/url]
[url=http://www.bestlinux.com]Best Linux[/url][url=http://www.newdealinc.org]GeoWorks[/url][url=http://www.linuxone.net]LinuxOne[/url][url=http://www.pingoo.org]PingOO[/url][url=http://www.thinlinux.org]Thin Linux[/url]
[url=http://www.linuxworks.com]BlueCat Linux[/url][url=http://www.gentoo.org]Gentoo[/url][url=http://www.linuxppc.com]LinuxPPC[/url][url=http://www.platinum-linux.org]Platinum Linux[/url][url=http://tiny.seul.org" class="norm]Tiny Linux[/url]
[url=http://www.caldera.com]Caldera OpenLinux[/url][url=http://www.gentus.com]Gentus Linux[/url][url=http://www.wgs.com]Linux Pro[/url][url=http://www.pozicom.net]Pozix Linux[/url][url=http://www.trustix.net]Trustix Secure Linux[/url]
[url=http://centris.sourceforge.net]Centris Linux[/url][url=http://www.icepack-linux.com]Icepak Linux[/url][url=http://www.trans-am.com]LinuxWare[/url][url=http://www.progeny.com]Progeny Linux Sytems[/url][url=http://www.turbolinux.com]TurboLinux[/url]
[url=http://www.chainsawlinux.com]Chainsaw Linux[/url][url=http://www.wirex.com]Immunix[/url][url=http://www.lnxs.org]LNX System[/url][url=http://www.qnx.com]QNX[/url][url=http://www.metalab.unc.edu/vectorlinux]VectorLinux[/url]
[url=http://en.conectiva.com]Conectiva Linux[/url][url=http://independence.seul.org]Independence Linux[/url][url=http://www.lutelinux.com]LuteLinux[/url][url=http://www.rabid.de]Rabid Squirrel Linux[/url][url=http://www.emjembedded.com/linux]White Dwarf Linux[/url]
[url=http://www.corel.com]Corel Linux[/url][url=http://www.jurix.org]Jurix Linux[/url][url=http://www.linux-mandrake.com]Mandrake[/url][url=http://www.redhat.com]RedHat Linux[/url][url=http://www.wholelinux.com]WholeLinux[/url]
[url=http://www.coyotelinux.com]Coyote Linux[/url][url=http://www.kha0s.org]KhaOs Linux[/url][url=http://www.maxos.com]MaxOS Linux[/url][url=http://www.redmondlinux.org]Redmond Linux[/url][url=http://www.winlinux.net]WinLinux 2000[/url]
[url=http://www.definitesoftware.com]Definite Linux[/url][url=http://www.df-usa.com]Kondara MNU/Linux 2000[/url][url=http://www.mklinux.org]MkLinux[/url][url=http://www.rocklinux.org]Rock Linux[/url][url=http://www.yellowdoglinux.com]Yellow Dog Linux[/url]
[url=http://www.debian.org]Debian[/url][url=http://www.kyzo.com]Kyzo[/url][url=http://sunsite.auc.dk/mulinux]MuLinux[/url][url=http://www.rtlinux.org]RT-Linux[/url][url=http://www.yggdrasil.com]Yggdrasil Linux[/url]
[url=http://www.dragonlinux.net]DragonLinux[/url][url=http://13plus.deuroconsult.ro]L13Plus[/url][url=http://www.neolinux.org]NeoLinux[/url][url=http://scrudgeware.soundforge.net]ScrudgeWare Linux[/url]

If you have any additions you'd like to make to the list please submit them to [url=http://www.dalantech.com/ubbthreads/contactus.php]Da Staff[/url], and please send a link.

Preparation Step #3: OS loading order, and OS concerns

There are pitfalls when dual booting that you need to be aware of, and the workings of the hard drive are intrinsic as well as the OS installed. Some will overwrite the Master Boot Record (MBR) - this is the place that the computer looks to for which or what OS to boot up, and if the record is overwritten you might be rather hard pressed to get into the other OS. This major consideration means that if you want to have other OS(s) on the computer, you need to install them in a particular order. Depending on drives, we will assume that we are installing the OS(s) on a single drive with no ATA (or SCSI) -RAID. The general rule of thumb when installing another OS(s) is to install the OS into it's own 2 GB partition. Another point is that with a MicroSoft formatted hard drive, you will only be able to 4 Primary partitions or run 3 Primary partitions and an Extended partition in order to use Logical partitions. This is taking into account that we are familiar with partition(s) and the file systems, and have set them up accordingly. If not, please read [url=http://www.dalantech.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Number=31642] this article[/url] for more information on the types of partitions and file systems. See the table below for the order of installation:

First OSSecond OSThird OSFourth OS
Win9x (Win95,98/SE/ME)WinNT/2k or Linux, BeOS--------------------
Win9x (Win95,98/SE/ME)WinNT/2kLinux ++BeOS ++
WinNTWin2kLinux ++


Now that you've found your OS to install, what about setting up the partitions? Most of the alternate OSs come with their own disk partitioning tools -they activate as part of the installation process, and typically have a options or prompts for those who are doing this for the first time. However, you don't need to use such tools, and can do this before you insert the install CD or floppy. The general rule of thumb when partitioning for another OS is to make the appropriate file type partition to be 2 Gigs (GB) in size. If not comfortable with this, use the partitioning tool included with the new OS. If you are partitioning yourself, you need to be aware what sort of partitioning software it is - is it a destructive or non-destructive partitioning tool? A destructive partitioning tool like Windows Fdisk means you'll have to wipe your hard drive before set up the partitions. Non-destructive partitioning tools include Gdisk ([url=http://drd.dyndns.org/gdisk.html]free to download[/url]) and third party software like Partition Magic ([url=http://www.ultratech-llc.com/Personal/Files/?File=DiskPart.TXT]check here[/url] for more options) don't need you to format the drive before setting up the partitions. If the tool you are using is a non-destructive, you still should backup your files before starting - don't take any chances!

Boot Managers (AKA Boot Loaders)

As you are booting another partition on the hard drive, you will need one of these to choose which partition (therefore OS) you want to start up. Most come with their own boot loaders - Linux has LILO (LInux LOader), WinNT/2k has it's own Boot Loader (Win9x OS's don't have a boot manager), BeOS has for BOOTMAN instance. Partition Magic comes with BootMagic, and there are numerous other boot managers - some are free, and some cost a few bucks though I suggest to stick with the boot manager that comes with the OS you are installing to make troubleshooting easier. See the table below for the list and the link to download:

Boot Managers
[url=http://www.powerquest.com/bootmagic/index.html]BootMagic[/url][url=http://www.mstboot.com/en/]MST Boot[/url]
[url=http://www.bootmanager.com]BootManager[/url][url=http://www.users.intercom.com/~ranish/part/" class="norm]Partition Manager[/url]
[url=http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/gvollant/bootpart] BootPart[/url] (freeware)[url=http://www.blueskyinnovations.com/pboot.html]Power Boot[/url]
[url=http://www.pcworld.com/fileworld/file%20description/0,1458,6] BootPartition[/url] (freeware)[url=http://www.paragon.ru/]PTS-BootManager[/url]
[url=http://www.star-tools.com/english] BootStar[/url][url=http://www.v-com.com]System Commander[/url]
[url=http://www.phystechsoft.com/en/bootwizardpro/index.html] BootWizard Pro[/url][url=http://www.xosl.org] OSL[/url] (freeware)
[url=http://www.masterbooter.com]MasterBooter[/url]

Just in case your Master Boot Record (MBR) gets corrupted while trying this stuff, you can:
  • Remember that as long as you have a win9x install, you can enter "fdisk /mbr" in DOS (without quotes) to be able to boot into it, then install a boot manager again.
  • If you use Boot Magic - make the rescue disk.
  • When Be asks if you want to make a boot disk - make it. If you use the Be BOOTMAN, this will allow you to get back into Be to reinstall BOOTMAN if things go wrong.
  • People using System Commander are strongly urged to create the boot disks suggested during installation. The second disk contains the files needed to remove the boot record if you run into problems during installation.

Congratulations

It's installed! You've partitioned the hard drive, got a boot manager working, and are enjoying your new OS - Wonderful! To get online with that new OS, if your ISP gives you a dynamic IP you can set your NIC to DHCP and you'll be surfing in no time. However if you disconnect from the ISP and leave the DHCP enabled, this will greatly increase the amount of time it takes to boot up as the computer will be looking for that DHCP server to contact. For more information on how DHCP works, see this article. If you have a static IP, you'll need to write down all the information and enter the information in the new OS's networking setup to start surfing. If you need help you can always post your questions on Da Forum.



 
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