Hi Steve, Jerrud, & John,
I have combined all three posts to make things easier. I do appreciate
all your help. My comments below:
----- Original Message -----
FROM: Steve
Sounds like you installed Linux into the Windows partitions. Does the
advice "Don't do that!" go without saying? :)
(Russ)----------------------
Actually I didn't (at least I don't think I did), System Commander
creates a partition for it to go on (theoretically). When I looked at
the partitions in Linux's version of Fdisk, all the partitions were
there, including the new Linux partition.
-----------------------------
During installation, do NOT choose Server or Workstation. Opt for
Custom instead so you can tell it where you want it installed.
(Russ)---------------------
uh, er, weeellll. I take it that this is a bad thing :-(
My first 3 attempts I did use Workstation. My last attempt (using the
RedHat 6 CD) I chose the custom and checked the partitions. All seemed
well. I even figured out how to make the swap partition (I was
impressed). The instalation went great, no hitches at all. Linux was
on the partition I wanted it to be but my dos partitions were no
longer readable. DOS Fdisk read them as non-dos partitions. Linux
booted and ran just fine though
---------------------------
Near the end of the installation, it will ask whether you want LILO
installed on hda or hda1. Sounds like System Commander wants you to
use
hda1.
(Russ)--------------------
I never got this question
--------------------------
Why use System Commander? LILO will allow you to dual-boot right out
of
the box.
(Russ)--------------------
System Commander (and it's evil side kick Partition Commander) are
suppose to be graphical and easy. I also like the idea of being able
to repartition on the fly.
--------------------------
FROM: Jerrud
Snip...
boot from the yellow boot disk, and when the kernel is about to boot,
hit
tab. this should be done right when the caldera screen splashes up.
now do
this:: linux -3. now, when thats done, type in boot -lisa. this will
bring
you to a nice gui to to show LILO who is boss, and force it to install
where
you want it, and what partitions you want it to be able to boot up.
just
mirror the win98 partition, and that should be it realy. also install
it on
your MBR. its a lot easier than it sounds.
(Russ)----------------------
I may have to give that a shot
----------------------------
FROM: John
What kind of install did you select?
(Russ)--------------------
WorkStation the first 3 times, Custom the last
--------------------------
Since you have System Commander
(and Mandrake 6) you may also have Partition Magic. If so, use that
to "squeeze" down your Windows partition, then create two more
partitions (at least): 1 partition of around 50-100 megs for "swap"
space, and the rest for Linux.
(Russ)---------------------
System Commander comes with Partition Commander and it supports drives
bigger than 8 gigs (I have a 13). The programs that come with Caldera
and RH only support drives up to 8 gigs. Anyway, System Commander (in
cohoots with Partition Commander) is suppose to automatically divy up
the drive. It appears to do this but I am doing something wrong
further down the line (I think).
---------------------------
Once you've done the re-partitioning, choose "custom" install. For
custom, installing "everything" except the foreign-language "how-to"
files, I found the drivespace requirements to be right at 1 GB. If
you choose to install less, of course, you will use less space.
Also, you should choose something OTHER than the primary Windows
partition for your Linux install. Choose the other large partition
for Linux (again, at least a GIG of drivespace would be highly
adviseable.)
(Russ)-------------------
I want to allot 4gigs for Linux but System Commander only wants to
give me 2 (I made the swap partition 128megs since I have 128megs of
ram)
-------------------------
You may also want to squeeze a partition in BEFORE
Windows of about 10-25 megs for "/boot" (more about that later.)
(Russ)-------------------
Now this is where System Commander comes in. It says it will take care
of that so I don't have to as long as Linux is in it's own partition,
which I am trying to do.
--------------------------
My
experience has been with RedHat and Mandrake (which is essentially
RedHat with some "extras") so I can only give you advice on those two
versions of Linux.
(Russ)-------------------
Fair enough. I have had all three flavors running (recently RedHat). I
really really liked Gnome.
--------------------------
> Also, System commander says something about using root super block
> and not the MBR. It also says this is chosen during setup, but
> I've missed it each time somewhere.
>
Hm.....not sure what this is about unless it's about having the /boot
within the first 1024 cylinders...
(Russ)--------------------
Actually it is so System commander can take control of the boot up
process. Basically I choose "Linux" from the list and it tells the
computer where to go to fetch Lilo (which is on the Linux partition).
--------------------------
