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Table Of Contents  How to Build Your Own PC - Save A Buck And Learn A Lot
 9  Chapter 11: Installing A Dual Boot Operating System (Linux And Windows XP)

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Overview of Dual Boot Setup

Here’s an overview of how we are going to reach our goal of a functional, dual boot Windows XP / Linux system. There are four basic steps:

  1. Install Windows XP: See the preceding chapters on installing Windows XP. When you partition your hard drive using the XP setup program, you’ll want to leave some unpartitioned space. This unpartitioned space can be used to install a Linux partition. Be sure to plan ahead how much disk space you want to allocate to Windows XP and how much for Linux.

  2. Backup any valuable data from your Windows system: This isn’t important if you’ve freshly installed Windows. But, if you’ve worked with Windows for awhile before deciding to dual boot, you should backup your important files. Before adding another operating system or partitioning a disk, always backup your important data.

  3. Make a bootable Linux disk: If your system won’t boot from a CD, you might need to make a bootable Linux floppy disk to start the installation process. If you were able to boot from the Windows XP CD, this means your system will boot from a CD. You can change your system’s BIOS settings to allow the system to boot from the CD instead of making a bootable floppy.

  4. Perform the Linux installation from its CD: It will recognize that Windows XP is already installed and offer you the option of keeping it and adding Linux also.

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Version 1.0 - Version Date: May 4, 2005

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