Re: Dual Boot With Win XP - Debian First?

* Bob <spam@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> [070627 07:21]:
russ421@xxxxxxx 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


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