* Bob <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> [070627 07:21]: > [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: >> I want to dual boot windows XP and Debian. I've seen the guides, but >> they all recommend that users have Windows XP installed first, and >> then install Debian. This allows you to set it up with the default >> Debian installation to use GRUB / etc. and dual boot. >> >> However, I won't have a copy of Win XP for my new machine for a month >> or two probably. I'd like to go ahead and install Debian, otherwise >> the new computer will be a paperweight. >> >> Is it possible to install Debian first and then Windows XP later on? >> Can you change the Debian configurations? Is it not too difficult? >> Impossible? >> >> I'm installing on two separate hard drives, so partitions shouldn't be >> a big problem I don't imagine. Debian on one, XP on the other.
With two hard drives -- one for Debian and one for Window$ -- this is trivial; I do it routinely. The use of a separate cable for each drive is nice, but it is not essential with modern motherboards. If I recall correctly, modern motherboards incorporate an independent controller for each drive, so that there is no performance penalty if two drives are attached to the same cable. I have no experience with XP, but with W2000 it doesn't matter whether you install Debian first or Window$ first. However, if you do install Debian first and wish to ensure that Window$ cannot mess up the system, simply unplug the Debian drive before you install Window$. You need not worry about Debian messing up the Window$ installation (apart from the fact that GRUB is going to replace whatever boot manager Window$ may install). Partitioning in Window$ and partitioning in Debian are independent, UNLESS you put both operating systems on the same drive. But considering the pitfalls and the low price of drives, I think it generally foolish to put both operating systems on the same drive. If you install Window$ first and subsequently install Debian, GRUB takes care of everything, automatically, and leaves you with a boot menu which includes both Debian and Window$. But if you install Debian first and then install Window$, Window$ may install its own boot manager in place of GRUB. But that's not a problem; all you need to do in that event is boot Debian and, from a command line prompt within Debian, reinstall GRUB, whereupon everything again is taken care of automatically. Of course, in this event you need to use a GRUB boot CD to boot Debian. So once Debian is running, make it a priority to burn yourself a GRUB boot CD. To see how to burn a GRUB boot CD and how to reinstall GRUB, take a look at the GRUB man page or the GRUB manual. Or just google a bit. RLH -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
