Quick How-To Dual Boot Linux & Windows

This is a brief record of what has worked for me. 

There are much better sources of detailed instructions out there. 

Please share any links you may find so that I can add them here.

For additional information, refer to:

The Official Red Hat Linux x86 Installation Guide

http//www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/linux/RHL-7.2-Manual/install-guide/

Other Red Hat Linux How-to & resources

http//www.redhat.com/apps/support/resources/

Configuring a dual boot system

http//www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/linux/RHL-7.2-Manual/install-guide/ch-dualboot.html

Dan's simple How to dual-boot Windows 2000 and Red Hat Linux 7.2

WINDOWS

• Install Windows 2000 first
• (You will need to specify in your bios to enable booting from cdrom if not enabled already)
• Boot off the Windows 2000 cdrom and create JUST the partition for Windows to go onto.
• The percentage is up to you, but perhaps 50% for Windows, 50% for Linux.
• MINIMUM needed for either operating system is 2gb.
• Once you've created the partition for Windows, leave the rest unpartitioned.
• Continue with the installation of Windows 2000 and reboot into windows the first time once finished.
• After windows has booted for the first time and you've setup the basic settings (network/users/etc), shutdown the machine.

LINUX

(This part is from memory, so let me know if i'm forgetting anything).

• Now put in the Red Hat Linux 7.2 cd and boot from cdrom.
• Press enter to install new.
• Choose the language/keyboard/mouse settings.
• When prompted to partition, make sure not to touch the windows partition.
• Partition the rest for linux... I suggest 2x the memory for a swap partition (ie 128mb ram, you should have at least a 256mb swap partition). Then to make it simple, you can partition the rest for / (root).
• Choose New Install, and choose Workstation.
• (missing other steps here somewhere)
• When prompted for boot manager, CHOOSE LILO and "Master Boot Record". On this screen you can also select which operating system will startup on default if you don't choose in 20 sec on startup. You can also change the name of "dos" to something more meaningfull like "windows2k".
• When prompted for firewall, I think medium setting would be best. On this screen, be sure to check the services you expect you may be using to get INTO this machine from the outside.
• Choose as little or as much as you want to have installed. If you have the space, go ahead and select most everything (add KDE Window Manager, Software Development, etc).

SECURITY

Remember, for any linux machines in the department, you must comply with the security policy at http://www.physics.syr.edu/~dkirk/private/securitypolicy.html If you need help with this part, let me know.

You must setup security restrictions and install the tripwire script at http://www.phy.syr.edu/~dkirk/private/linuxsecurity.html

I'm not sure how to use the new type boot loader GRUB. If it's already been setup different from this list, and windows is the default boot (not ever asking you for linux) i'd think grub or lilo needs to be added to the windows drive somehow. Or perhaps the windows boot loader can add the linux choice.
Try looking in windows... right click on My Computer, then System Properties->Advanced Tab->Startup and Recovery Settings, and Edit, which edits the c:\boot.ini file.