UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

this question has probly been answered but i could not find it (sad).... anyhow, my question is, that i would like to know how (step by step) i can install mandrake 9.1 on my computer which currently runs win98... the catch is that i need to keep windows 98 on my computer, and the compter must boot to that by default.... im am a unix noobie and i cant follow with all the unix guro talk so i really need someone to hold my hand during install..... i am installing this flavor so i can learn.... ive started with knoppix (live on cd linux distro) but there are some things you jsut cannnot do unless you have an installed distrobution..... and learning is one of those.... you can do it, but not well.....

i am very inclined to learn linux.... i especially like the way they took the oposite aproach from windows, and decided to forgo the mandatory crashing...... if anyone would be so inclined to help me you will have my admiration, and respect for time to come.. .thank you in advance

Punk,
I have similar questions. Did you ever get a response.

thEdoggie

Use partitioning software such as Partition Magic for windows to resize the Win98 partition, then install Mandrake to the empty space. The graphical installer will walk you through the process. As for defaulting the boot to windows, all you have to do is open up /etc/grub.conf or etc/lilo.conf depending on what bootloader you're using, and then edit it so that the default is the windows entry.

1. Get and install partition magic
2. Resize your Windows 98 partition to a useable size. (Leave a decent amount of space for your page file and additional documents and data on your Windows partition.)
3. Verify that you have a Windows partition and empty space
4. Reboot your computer with the Mandrake CD1 in your computer and boot off the CDROM.
5. Follow the installation instructions. (You are going to need to create a swap partition and a Linux file system partition. Swap is usually double your systems RAM.)
6. When you get to the bootloader questions, have your system install in to the MBR (Master Boot Record).
7. Since most systems use GRUB now, it should automatically detect your existing Windows 98 partition and allow you to make it the defualt.
8. Finish the install and reboot, You should have everything set up.

Hope I remembered everything.

Just remember to leave enough space on your Windows side to keep functioning as you will be falling back to Windows while you learn your way around the Linux shell and X Windows.

Thanks guys. That gets me started...

thEdoggie

Ok, that was pretty helpful, I just have another question here.
I'm running an older system as well, and keeping win98se on a 10gig drive and planning on installing Lindows on a smaller 2.5 gig drive.
Will this work the same way with a bootup program once I run it? or should i reformat the second smaller drive I intend to put Lindows onto, copy that onto a cd, and install through dos? or apply through windows? Also, once it does get installed, will I select which drive it boots manually?

Yeah...I'm pretty new to this, but wanna learn to ditch the 'ol windows, since I'm heading into a bit more programming...many questions...any info would be appreciated.