Installing SuSE beside Windows on old hardware
OK, A friend of mine is thinking about installing Linux (he's got SuSE 8.2) on his computer. He's got a P2/400 (256MB, 42GB HD, 8MB Video). The BIOS is old and cannot support Windows and the 40GB HD without the drive overlay software he's got installed. I know SuSE8.2 will install fine and doesn't need the drive overlay sftware... but, the question I can't answer for him is, what happens with the drive overlay software and Windows? If my friend installs Linux, and the installer overwrites the MBR, will he loose the overlay software? As far as I know, the overlay software MUST be available on startup to allow windows to load, but will the SuSE install leave it alone, replace it, or do something else with it? Any idea? C
Lørdag 27 marts 2004 17:58 skrev Clayton:
OK, A friend of mine is thinking about installing Linux (he's got SuSE 8.2) on his computer. He's got a P2/400 (256MB, 42GB HD, 8MB Video). The BIOS is old and cannot support Windows and the 40GB HD without the drive overlay software he's got installed.
did you check what bios and motherboard his got .... maybe you can help him on that account too ;-)
I know SuSE8.2 will install fine and doesn't need the drive overlay sftware... but, the question I can't answer for him is, what happens with the drive overlay software and Windows? If my friend installs Linux, and the installer overwrites the MBR, will he loose the overlay software? As far as I know, the overlay software MUST be available on startup to allow windows to load, but will the SuSE install leave it alone, replace it, or do something else with it? Any idea?
C
On Saturday 27 March 2004 16:58, Clayton wrote:
The BIOS is old and cannot support Windows and the 40GB HD without the drive overlay software he's got installed.
In case the Motherboard specs are known, and, the Motherboard Manufacturer is still operating, then, maybe a visit to Manufacturer's website may enable new BIOS to be downloaded & installed? -- best wishes ____________ sent on Linux ____________
On Sat, 27 Mar 2004 17:58:29 +0100
Clayton
but, the question I can't answer for him is, what happens with the drive overlay software and Windows? If my friend installs Linux, and the installer overwrites the MBR, will he loose the overlay software? As far as I know, the overlay software MUST be available on startup to allow windows to load, but will the SuSE install leave it alone, replace it, or do something else with it? Any idea?
Two questions: a. does he need to retain Windows and thus the overlay software? If not, what is the problem? b. If he does, why not leave the MBR as is, and use a boot floppy to boot Linux? Terence
Two questions:
a. does he need to retain Windows and thus the overlay software?
If not, what is the problem?
I've spent 6 years encouraging him to try out Linux. This is his first try at it... so, yah he need to keep Windows - he makes his living programming in Windows. He is interested in firing up Kylix though to see if he can experiment with doing the same in Linux using Kylix.
b. If he does, why not leave the MBR as is, and use a boot floppy to boot Linux?
D'oh! <smacks head> Now why didn't I think of that. Thanks to everyone for pointing out the obvious. This is the easy way to solve the issue. It's been so long since I've used the boot floppy idea that I completely forgot about it ;-P Thanks C.
On Saturday 27 March 2004 7:30 pm, Clayton wrote:
Two questions:
a. does he need to retain Windows and thus the overlay software?
If not, what is the problem?
I've spent 6 years encouraging him to try out Linux. This is his first try at it... so, yah he need to keep Windows - he makes his living programming in Windows. He is interested in firing up Kylix though to see if he can experiment with doing the same in Linux using Kylix.
b. If he does, why not leave the MBR as is, and use a boot floppy to boot Linux?
D'oh! <smacks head> Now why didn't I think of that. Thanks to everyone for pointing out the obvious. This is the easy way to solve the issue. It's been so long since I've used the boot floppy idea that I completely forgot about it ;-P
Thanks
C.
If your friend has a spare HD, he could try this suggestion from Johan: http://lists.suse.com/archive/suse-linux-e/2004-Mar/2307.html This involves fiddling with HW, but has the attraction that you don't need to touch the windows HD and you can put it all back the way it was, although the disk software might get confused depending on how good it is. Prerequisite is that the added HD does not have any primary partition for which DOS [or any M $ OS] can interpret the filesystem and provide a drive letter. VInce Littler
Clayton wrote:
Two questions:
a. does he need to retain Windows and thus the overlay software?
If not, what is the problem?
I've spent 6 years encouraging him to try out Linux. This is his first try at it... so, yah he need to keep Windows - he makes his living programming in Windows. He is interested in firing up Kylix though to see if he can experiment with doing the same in Linux using Kylix. see my reply below re this.
b. If he does still need Windows, why not leave the MBR as is, and use a boot floppy to boot Linux? This would be my suggestion too. Have his windows installed first, partition the drive using a partition manager(not Partition Magic but rather use Partition Expert) and then install linux on the spare space selecting the option of booting via a floppy disk.
That way as a NEWBIE he can play on linux and see what it is like if he boots using the floppy disk. If he then wants to play on Windows he just has to reboot the machine and make sure the floppy is not in the drive. The other option for him to not even have to bother about partitioning software and boot disks is to get a CD based distribution like Knoppix that will provide him with much of the feel and not do anything to his system. Of course the glitch is that he might have to create a linux boot floppy from the Knoppix CD so that the BIOS can access the CD when he boots up using his bootup disk. Otherwise perhaps keep his current machine as a Windows one and look around for more hardware and make that a linux machine. He could then always have plenty of fun setting up the network between the two machines, accessing files etc. Eventually his own knowledge will get him to install linux safely on his Windows machine and might even see the end of Windows entirely. :) In summary it seems that unless he can get hold of another box just for linux the linux boot floppy is the way to go. Hope that helps Hylton -- The Little Helper ======================================================================== Hylton Conacher - Licenced ex-Windows user (apart from Quicken) Registered Linux user # 229959 at http://counter.li.org Currently using SuSE 9.0 Professional with KDE 3.1 ========================================================================
On Saturday 27 Mar 2004 16:58 pm, Clayton wrote: <SNIP>
what happens with the drive overlay software and Windows? If my friend installs Linux, and the installer overwrites the MBR, will he loose the overlay software? As far as I know, the overlay software MUST be available on startup to allow windows to load, but will the SuSE install leave it alone, replace it, or do something else with it? Any idea?
Tell the SuSE installer to use a boot floppy instead of writing the MBR - then it's a simple case of floppy in: Linux; floppy out: Windows HTH Dylan -- "I see your Schwartz is as big as mine" -Big Helmet
* Clayton;
I know SuSE8.2 will install fine and doesn't need the drive overlay sftware... but, the question I can't answer for him is, what happens with the drive overlay software and Windows? If my friend installs Linux, and the installer overwrites the MBR, will he loose the overlay software? As far as I know, the overlay software MUST be available on startup to allow windows to load, but will the SuSE install leave it alone, replace it, or do something else with it? Any idea?
have you looked at http://susefaq.sourceforge.net/faq/inst_winxp1.html http://susefaq.sourceforge.net/faq/inst_winxp.html -- Togan Muftuoglu | Unofficial SuSE FAQ Maintainer | Please reply to the list; http://susefaq.sf.net | Please don't put me in TO/CC. Nisi defectum, haud refiecendum
if you have older hardware you cant afford to replace try a Promise card. It adds 4 new IDE to your system. Thats the brand recommended by Western Digital. CWSIV ________________________________________________________________ The best thing to hit the Internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the Web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today!
participants (9)
-
Carl William Spitzer IV -
Clayton -
Dylan -
Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC) -
Johan -
pinto -
Terence McCarthy -
Togan Muftuoglu -
Vince Littler