2 Hard Disks and 2 OS? How to?

nbn792 · 12-26-2003, 03:15 PM

OK, I have my main PC which is a couple years old and runs win98. I have a 6gig hard drive that I'd like to add to it. However I would like to make the second hard disk run Debian Linux, and do so without disturbing the win98 hard disk.

What are some strategies for doing this? How can I select between the two OS?

Thanks
Garrett

trickykid · 12-26-2003, 03:18 PM

Install 2nd hard drive if not done so already.

Boot up with Debian install cd or disk.

Install Debian onto second hard drive which will most likely be recognized as /dev/hdb if its a slave to the master drive you have installed on the Primary IDE controller.

Install your lilo boot loader during the install to your MBR and configure it to boot Windows as well..

Try searching around on some of the terms above if your not familiar with them, these types of questions are very common.

Cheers and welcome to Linux and Linuxquestions.org.

esteeven · 12-26-2003, 03:21 PM

I'm not sure about Debian but everything else offers to use free HD space on install - so W98 might be on hda and your new drive will be hdb. The selection is best managed by Grub or Lilo. They should automatically set up your boot. So...when you boot, you select the partition that you want to boot.
Good Luck.

nbn792 · 12-26-2003, 04:10 PM

Ok I think I can handle that. The HD will probably go in tonight, right now I'm checking the maxtor site looking for info on how to set the jumper to slave. I understand what to do with lilo, but how exactly do I select linux to install on the second disk. Is that the part where it asks me where to mount?

trickykid · 12-26-2003, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nbn792
Ok I think I can handle that. The HD will probably go in tonight, right now I'm checking the maxtor site looking for info on how to set the jumper to slave. I understand what to do with lilo, but how exactly do I select linux to install on the second disk. Is that the part where it asks me where to mount?

Yes, most likely during the install you will select your mount points and what drive to install to.

Regards.

2damncommon · 12-26-2003, 07:20 PM

Quote:

but how exactly do I select linux to install on the second disk. Is that the part where it asks me where to mount?

During install you will be able to partition the disk if it is not already partitioned (make at least a swap and / (root) partition), the the install program will format and install Linux where you have told it to. (The mount points as you have said.)
Just be sure you understand the Linux drive designations /dev/hda, /dev/hdb. If your original drive with Windows is the primary master (duh...) then it is hda. If you install the new drive as a primary slave, then it is hdb. Just be sure you don't fool with hda during install.