Best way to multi-boot?

[kbunt]

Is there any how-tos or FAQs or tutorials for multi-booting?

I am experimenting on an extra computer and would like to multi-boot several distros and Windows.

I am starting from scratch but eventually, I'll have my system set up for:

1) Windows + experimental distros (Kubuntu plus ??)

Therefore, I'll just leave Windows there (as it's only to experiment and I already have Windows on another computer). I just want to learn how to install a Linux OS so that I don't mess up another OS and that could be Windows and/or other Linux distros I want to keep intact.

Currently, my system is set up as:
2) One Linux OS taking up the entire disk. I am going to install (i.e. re-install) on top of that so next time, I should choose a partition amount (for e.g., 15 GB?) out of the HDD total? Eventually, I want to carry out plan #1 above.

So, any howtos or advice for this?

I usually had help with this but trying to do it on my own now but it's confusing. The most confusing part is setting up the partitions. I have to decide where to put Grub in the partitions and whether I want to use either 'root' or MBR.

My HDD is SATA so in each case, it's always sda1, sda2 etc.

I also want my grub screen set up so that it doesn't boot right away and stops at the boot manager screen with the various OS choices. I want it to just remain there until I choose an OS to boot up with.

I was thinking it is good to use a distro CD like GParted or System Recovery CD (more familiar with) for the 'Partition Magic' type of partitioning arrangement I need to do.

I skimmed/glanced through the various topics in 'Installation and Boot' and couldn't find a related/similar thread. If someone could explain and/or send a helpful thread/link with instructions, that would be great.

In the meantime, I will work on trying to figure this out.

[dibl]

Re: Best way to multi-boot?

Here's a decent place to start:

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/partitioning

[Qqmike]

Re: Best way to multi-boot?

Your ideas are quite doable, indeed

Use GParted Live CD to do the partitioning -- it is very easy that way.


How To GRUB Methods - Toolkit
http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/inde...opic=3081671.0
Read the first part about the various scenarios;
Scroll down through subsequent posts.
>>> Scroll down to Separate, dedicated GRUB partition--
this is handy for the experimenting you are doing.

Bigpond, home: http://users.bigpond.net.au/hermanzone/
See the GRUB page

GParted: http://gparted.sourceforge.net/
GParted how-to: http://www.howtoforge.com/partitioning_with_gparted

Super Grub Disk, new site: http://supergrub.forjamari.linex.org/
Download the Live CD and keep it handy if you are doing this kind of experimenting


(Post back here with your questions, progress, etc.)

[Antkin]

Re: Best way to multi-boot?

I have 4 OS on my computer. I installed in the following order

1 WIN XP it thinks it is the only OS cannot be added later.
2 Mandriva 2008 start up with LILO
3 Ubuntu 7.10 start up with GRUB
4 Kubuntu 7.10 start up with GRUB

When I boot I get GRUB with the OS's in reverse order.

[dibl]

Re: Best way to multi-boot?

Sure -- that's because Grub writes the menu in "last OS installed gets top billing" style.

But, the boot menu file at /boot/grub/menu.lst is just a text file and is easily edited with Kate, in Super User mode, so you can arrange the presentation of the boot menu in any style you like, as long as you don't change the contents of the stanzas. You need to be careful about changing the "### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST" line of demarcation, however, as kernel upgrades and/or additional OS installations will be affected if you lose that structure. So your best bet is "learn to love it" with the *buntu items above the line, and the others below it, in whichever order you prefer

[Antkin]

Re: Best way to multi-boot?

Linux and Windows dual booting guide

Microsoft Windows is much more vulnerable to attack than other common operating systems such as MAC or Linux. One reason is that from a security point of view it simply isn't as well put together.


Linux and Windows how to dual boot

It is possible that email and browser-based viruses, Trojans and worms are the source of the myth that Windows is attacked more often than Linux. Clearly there are more desktop installations of Windows than Linux. It is certainly possible, if not probable, that Windows desktop software is attacked more often because Windows dominates the desktop. But this leaves an important question unanswered. Do the attacks so often succeed on Windows because the attacks are so numerous, or because there are inherent design flaws and poor design decisions in Windows?

Linux facts

Fewer viruses
More stable
Less restarts after installing updates
Security designed from the ground up
Open Source, no costly programs to install
Better file system, no waiting for defragmentation of the hard drive


Linux has no technical support by my ISP Virgin Media yet it works on their cable network, these pages are written by a Linux user with a broadband cable connection.

Linux is suited to a Ethernet modem connector (RJ45) this is found on the back of a Surfboard 5100 modem for example. The other end plugs into your network connection or card on the back of your case/laptop.


Ethernet Routers versus USB Modems

If you have a broadband connection and use a USB modem to connect with, the risks are much greater than if you use an Ethernet router. Unfortunately, most people do use USB modems as they are cheaper to buy, and many ISP's even give them away free to new customers.

So what's the difference? Well with a USB modem your computer is directly connected to the Internet and can be seen by ' port scanners' looking for vulnerable PCs to attack. Unless you have a Firewall for protection then your PC is wide open and will soon become infected with different pieces of malicious software.

Routers on the other hand give increased security as they use NAT (Network Address Translation). With NAT your computer connects only to the router, and it is the router that connects to the Internet, hiding your PC and acting as a buffer. Most routers (including those supplied by The Phone Co-op) also come with a built-in firewall, providing extra security.

Routers also take the load off your PC, give a faster connection in certain instances, and can have more than one port or socket, allowing you to share the Internet connection between more than one computer or other device. All-in-all they are a much better option.

Antony Perkin

http://internetsecurity4free.com