[ale] Partitioning Problems

[Jim Lynch]

Geoffrey wrote:
> Jim Lynch wrote:
>   
>> Andrew Grieser wrote:
>>     
>>> On Fri, 26 Dec 2008 12:00:02 -0500 Geoffrey
>>> <lists at serioustechnology.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>       
>>>> Andrew Grieser wrote:
>>>>
>>>>         
>>>>> Hey all,
>>>>>
>>>>> I decided to wipe my drive and re-partition so that I can boot 
>>>>> multiple operating systems, however I am having a difficult
>>>>> time getting it to work. The funny thing is, I have done this
>>>>> before and have gotten it working with no problems. I'm a bit
>>>>> confused as to why I can't figure this one out.
>>>>>
>>>>>           
>>>> Install windows first, then repartition your disk.
>>>>
>>>> -- Until later, Geoffrey
>>>>
>>>>         
>>> This worked. Thanks.
>>>
>>> Now that I think about it, that must be how I did it last time too.
>>>
>>>
>>> I'm thinking about installing windows on a separate hard drive, and
>>> then just swapping out drives on the rare occasions when I need it.
>>> That way, if windows decides to mess things up, it can only mess up
>>> itself.
>>>
>>> Andrew
>>>
>>>       
>> I've been dual booting Linux and windows since Win 95 (maybe before).
>>  Never had windows cause a problem with a Linux partition.
>> Personally I don't think it's worth the effort.  It's always been
>> suggested that you install Windows first and then Linux.  I've done
>> the reverse and gotten away with it sometimes, and sometimes not.
>>     
>
> My experiences with dual boots are the same.  I've never had Windows 
> cause a problem with my Linux partitions.
>
> If you install linux, then Windows, windows will trash your grub/lilo 
> and you will have to boot from a rescue disk to recover your dual boot 
> ability.
>
> It works, as I've taken this approach before, but it's a pain in the butt.
>
>   
>   
Rather than swap disks, which would become a royal pain in the lower 
regions, buy yourself one of the USB or Firewire (if your computer 
supports it) external hard drives and back up your important Linux data 
periodically, which probably means your home directory and any special 
configurations in /etc.  That's a lot simpler and less troublesome than 
swapping disk drives even with a caddy.  If you value your data, you'll 
want to do that anyway, even if you go the disk swap route.  You can 
backup both your Windows and Linux data at one time, too.  Unless you're 
a lot better organized than I am, it'll be more difficult to isolate 
important data on Windows.

Jim.

Jim.