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Re: Boot up disks

 
sam_67
Occasional Contributor

Boot up disks

hi, im a first timer to linux, ive downloaded mandrake linux and red hat linux and both seem to have problems loading up (i.e whn the system restarts), ive read the manuals and they keep saying make a boot up disk, problem is ive tryed making one and it failed (prob due to the fact im doing something wrong), is there any way to make a boot up disk or make the cd boot up, ive downloaded these two linux softwares via a mirror.
Also my second query is when installing linux, would there be a way to run both linux and windows (dual menu) and if so how would i do this (if its a partition).
how would i partition my drive.
thanks i no this is quite a bit to ask for..
3 REPLIES 3
Bruce Copeland
Trusted Contributor

Re: Boot up disks

It's possible that you are simply encountering one or more hardware problems and not really doing anything wrong. Can you tell us a little more about what kind of problem occurs? Does the system hang? Do you get some kind of warning or error message? Do you see any part of the initial installation screen? Also what kind of computer are you trying to install onto?

Dual boot systems are fairly common. There are several different strategies for setting up dual boot. A fairly easy method is to simply add a second hard drive for Linux. A somewhat more difficult approach is to repartition an existing hard disk. You DO need to do the latter before you try to install Linux. There's an older thread on this site that provides some instructions for repartitioning and dual booting. Or you can see how I usually do it at
http://www.cybersym.com/pages/linux-ze4100.html

There are also some important considerations having to do with the other OS. Linux does not readily read and write the NTFS disk system used by Windows 2000/XP, but it has no problem with dos FAT or VFAT.

Bruce

Bruce
Jim Ford
New Member

Re: Boot up disks

Hi,

I assume you've not managed to boot Linux at all:

Usually the distribution has a DOS RAWRITE program that you can use to copy a kernel image to a floppy. Make sure that you choose an image appropriate for your system (probably ide) and preferably use a new floppy.
This is not the quickest way to boot, but is the simplest.

If you think the problem is with the downloaded distros, try http://www.linuxemporium.co.uk for cheap CD's - they're only a few quid.

For dual booting I use GRUB (GRand Unified Booter), which works well.

Stick with it - the rewards for using Linux are huge!

Good luck: Jim Ford
Windows is not the answer - it is the question. No is the answer!
Balaji N
Honored Contributor

Re: Boot up disks

hi,

could you plese give more info on where u are stuck. have you installed linux and having problems in booting or are you having problems in installing linux.

here is the official redhat guide for installing.
http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/linux/RHL-8.0-Manual/install-guide/

and for making a boot disc, here you go.
http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/linux/RHL-8.0-Manual/install-guide/s1-steps-install-cdrom.html#S2-STEPS-MAKE-DISKS

instructions for dual boot.
http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/linux/RHL-8.0-Manual/install-guide/ch-x86-dualboot.html
http://www.geocities.com/usmbish/hdi.html#linnt

hth
-b-

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