Challenge: Multi-Operating system on one big hard disk (intel based PC)

From: Dave (smartrabbit_at_rogers.com)
Date: 05/16/04 

Date: Sun, 16 May 2004 15:34:32 GMT

I bought a big hard disk (160G). I have medium level knowledge of
Linux/UNIX/WINDOWS/DOS. I intend to install multi-operating system on this
hard disk. The operating systems are Linux(Redhat9), freeBSD, DOS6.22,
WIN98, WIN2000, WINXP.

I used to install DOS6.22/WIN2000/WINXP on one hard disk without issue.

Bring in Linux and freBSD, I really feel headache. I tried to install Linux
and WINXP on one HD first. Here are what I did
1) Use Partition Magic to create partition for Linux(ext3&swap) and
NTSF(WINXP)
   Linux partition is in the front.
2) Install RH9 Linux on ext3 partition, follow the X-window prompt, the
installtion went well. After installtion., LINUX can be started and work
fine. There is option to set multiboot, I created one and indicate the exact
hd- location where the WINDOWS NTSF partition is. In the multiboot option I
select MBA(main boot area).

3) Start WINXP installion, in the procedure, I direct installtion to
previously created NTFS partition. During the XP installation, the PC was
rebooted, but it can not go into XP WINDOW, again. I hard reboot the PC,
LINUX can not be started.

4) Went back to 2), restall Linux, the only difference is to deselect MBA
option, select first boot area. the result is the same. Neither Linux nor
WINXP can be started.

Could anyone tell what is wrong with my installation?

Is there any technical pssibility to instal 6 OS system on one hard disk?
( Linux(Redhat9), freeBSD, DOS6.22, WIN98, WIN2000, WINXP)

Any advice or comment are welcome.

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