UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

I prepare to install linux distros , freebsd and solaris(totally 6 OS) in a 40G harddisk, but I fail to do it, so I would like to ask some question here.

Can different distros share the same linux swap?or each distros need to have their own?

I made 6 partitions(5 x 7G , 1 x 4G) and 256M(I have 128M RAM)for linux swap by RH(manually partition), am I did it right? If not , can anyone tell me how to do?

I tried to install RH Linux first, then label and format the partition as'/ ' , is there necessary to format an extra partition for '/usr' or '/home' too?

Aften installed RH, I installed Mandrake, but I failed to boot multi os up by lilo loader, is that I didn't created its own swap space?
Am I need another boot manager to help me?

Sorry that my question pretty newbie because this is my first step for Unix/Linux.

Is there anyone can help and teach me how to do step by step?

Many thx.

Look jcheng.... I have 3 OS in my computer, Debian Linux, FreeBSD and OpeBSD, I have no troubles to install then. I have installed 8 OS in one computer ones, but was 8 linux distros in 2 HDs, and I have no trobles again.

What I can tell you is that the linux distros can use the same swap partition. I use the same swap when I installed the 8 distros.

The "/" partition is sufficient, there is no necessary create the "/usr" or anyone else.

The lilo loader works fine with all the OS tah you mentioned. Try to find some infos about the problems with partitions over 1024 cylinder in HD, I already saw peoples get trouble with this, may be your problem to.

Thanks, SeVEn .

Is that really the problem from partition? Where I can find the relevant info?

actually I can sucessfully made partition by Redhat. Wht I am doing as below:

1. Install Redhat, using its ' manually partition' to divide my HD into 6 'ext2' and 1 swap.

2. choice 1 partition'/' to format and install Redhat.

3. boot Mandrake linux by cd-rom, it ask me if I format my swap space, i choice 'no', and install it in another partition.

After step 3, I can't boot Redhat even use its boot disk(Kernel panic)

4. I reinstall Redhat again, then can't boot Mandrake.

Any suggestion for the problem?

It sounds like when your installing one OS your overwriting the others bootloader, GRUB is the default in Mandrake and I think in REDHAD it's lilo.
Maybe editing lilo so it points to the other os's after you have installed all of them.
Just a question, how come you want to install some many versions of linux?
I triple boot Linux, Solaris and *gulp* Win2k, damn unsupported scanner

Actually, after installing Redhat, I choice Lilo as boot manager when I install Mandrake.

It seem u are right that the bootloaders is overwritting, I will search relevant info and try to edit the lilo, but if anyone can help me I would very appreciate. Forgive me, I'm a newbie.

The reason I try 3 or 4 distros is that, Mandrake and Redhat are the most popular and easy to use, Debian use aptget instead of rpm so I would like to try and learn it too. Then, I can find which is suitable for me.

Bring back the issue, how I can avoid the bootloaders overwritting? How I can edit Lilo?

thx

Try reading up on lilo by going to Linux Documentation project and do a search for Lilo they have many good guides on Lillo and other linux releated things. What I would do would be to install all the os's and boot up redhat (or whatever the last Linux distro was you installed) and edit it's /etc/lilo.conf to point to the other os'es as well. I'm sure there is another way but this seems the easiest way to me.

Thanks for ur suggestion, Snoozer. I will try then and tell u if I sucessful later.

Do u know where to find downloadable book on Unix and Linux? So I can dig it more deeper. thx