Currently running XP on one disc and DOS partition/Win 7 on other disc .(both 80GB)

Interested to see how Linux shapes up ,so got a copy .

Idea is to make 20gb partition on both discs ,put Linux +XP on one and DOS store +Win7 on other .

Any suggestions etc + installation order -my idea was format Dos partition ,install linux ,then XP and Win7 - to get Win 7 as default with no additional work .

Install Linux last as it has its' own GRUB boot menu.

I had to reinstall windows but now I also have to reinstall Linux as even though the partition is there windows re-wrote the boot sequence.

Many thanks Cap'n S -looks like you've saved my sanity

For anyone that wants to try found this - works in ububtu -possibly others

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/recoveringubuntuafterinstallingwindows

and

How To Dualboot, Multiboot Operating Systems - Get Windows NTLDR To Load Linux LILO

last one is short -page not wide enouigh .,but deals with getting into the windows bootloader ,whilst first one goes into grub/lilo .

I ran it last week as a clean non split install, it's a good system but it's rather limited to basic dvd play, music and surfing, but hey it's free and if the companies supported it driver wise I'm sure it will fly, but I couldn't drive my tv card, Canon printer and scanner had no drivers available, but a big up for the ppl who've taken the time to write it and give everyone a chance to have a free OS.

After a few looks at Ubuntu - thought I'd look at other versions - started with mandriva - can only say wish I'd tried that one first - main page what windowsshould have been , boot accessibility brilliant and so is boot menu .Sees all my stuff ,including windowsdownloads on USB drives .Only bitch is that finding a driver for (of all things) an apple printer ,is a bit of a drag .Not sure what is smallest hard drive space it will run on ,but I started out with about 18G (7.5/7.5+4 swap) ,(on manual partition option )another plus over Ubuntu- and it liked it .

As CAP s said , found best bet is to set out drive for all systems ,install windows system (s) first then Linux and let LILO show you (and windows ) how it can be done simply .

Just for a laugh and an experiment ,I tried putting linux, a DOS store ,Win 98 and XP on a HDD -only alteration I ad to do was to ammend boot options to set XP as default .

To save formatting the other OS's (asumuing you want to keep them), then go to control panel, admin tools, Computer Managment then disk managment. This allows you to shrink down the size of one of the partionsto allow for a Linux install. (This can get complicated, if you shrink both then it seems that you cannot combine them into one again, only reasign them to the origial partiition or use them seperatly.)

When you try to remove Linux and the GRUB loader go into Windoze first and use EASY BDC to reinstall the Windoze boot loader. Once this is done you can format the Linux partition and then re-assign it back to Windoze. Don't try to delete Linux first (as I did) as it takes the GRUB laoder with it and renders the PC dead. I then had to reinstall it again in order get to Windows to fix the boot loader.

I know its not what you asked but I hope this serves some help/saves hassel later on.

Couple of quick points, which could (would in cases above) be useful

The windows only boot loader can be installed from your win XP cd. Boot it up from the CD and get to the 'dos' prompt and type a command similar to repair bootloader - this will allow you to boot into windows only

GRUB (or Lilo for that matter) can be installed / setup from your Linux installation. Normally there will be an option in the 'control panel' to repair the boot loader. This will reinstall GRUB and allow you boot in windows, linux etc etc

Saves the hassle of having to reinstall an OS for a sake of a boot loader

My 80GB Samsung finaly sorted things out - halfway through it decided that it would go phut .Got it replaced under warranty ,but after a fight .Meantime ,I'd got a 400 GB - so even managed to fit in a little spacefor Win98 ( still got a soft spot for it ,and it keeps the bootloader files in DOS ,and it lets me run one or two old programms ) .

Installed windows in ascending order ,then Mandriva Linux , modified the boot sequence to loose the non existant windows installations it insiisted i have and to default boot to windows .

Still haven't had much of a chance to play with linux -but from what i've seen it looks good .

Thanks for the info .