On Wed, 2007-07-11 at 23:44 -0400, H.S. wrote: > Aaron Konstam wrote: > > On Wed, 2007-07-11 at 12:33 -0400, Mike - EMAIL IGNORED wrote: > >> Where can I get the best information on > >> how to install FC7 as dual boot with > >> WinXP on a Compaq laptop? > >> > >> Thanks, > >> Mike. > >> > > The good news is that it is easy to do. You should install WinXP first > > in the first partition on the disk, Then install f7 and tell the > > installer to leave the XP partition alone. Once it is installed f7 , XP > > will show up in grub.conf as Other and choosing that option will boot > > XP. > > > > Now the bad news. Compaq has traditionally installed a special partition > > as the first partition if you buy the machine with XP installed. Dell > > does the same thing. This partition is used to restore XP. > > I don't think that is really a problem. One approach is to use a live CD > (Fedora's or, my preference, Ubuntu's) to boot up from that CD and > resize the hard disk such that you reduce the size of Windows partition > and leave the other initial partition (Compaq's or Dells' or another > manufacturer's) as it is. Then, you may install Linux in the space you > freed up by resizing Window's partition. > > Note: It is very important to back up all important data you may have in > Windows partition before trying this. > > Also, a few friends of mine tries this with a Ubuntu live CD it worked > out okay for them. Although I agree with you in principle, in practice this is what I have found. The local Linux User Group runs install fests. We have had a hell of a time with the Compaq's secret partition, which turns out to be formatted something odd like FAT12. But what you propose might work. -- ======================================================================= Because I do, Because I do not hope, Because I do not hope to survive Injustice from the Palace, death from the air, Because I do, only do, I continue... -- T.S. Pynchon ======================================================================= Aaron Konstam telephone: (210) 656-0355 e-mail: akonstam@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
