Thread: Need help w/ dual boot

hi,

have computer linux system on built, ground - took me long, long time , lots of frustration it. system has free space on 1 of it's disks (roughly 20 gb) , happens need have windows installation 1 of college courses. have win xp available install there. there 2 things i've picked in experience on forums regarding dual booting windows: (1) should install windows first linux; , (2) windows likes on first partition of first disk.

because current linux installation not redo must find way install windows (as in, second) , install partition may not want on (sda4). have couple specific questions , wonder - there things should know make easier?


of specific questions , concerns are:

* windows has boot loader , linux has boot loader - right?
* person choose 1 or other?
* if so, choose grub (which linux insall uses now)
* can give me general sketch how approach this?
* 1 of concerns if select partion
(corresponding sda4) duruing windows installation - could
windows not expect , still whipe out current
install anyway? mean, end formatting other area even
if tell partion?
* part tweaking in boot loader smaller concern.


bottom line - can't afford have happen linux install. it's complicated - raid, lvm2, 3 disks, directories under root broken 6 parts in lvm; and, in general, distro don't pop disk in , click "install" build ground up.


general partition structure is:

code:

sd[a - c]1: 100 mb (each)  /boot  raid 1    sd[a - c]2: 6 gb (each)  (extended)    sd[a - c]5: 4 gb (each)  /root  raid 1    sd[a - c]6: 2 gb (each)  /swap  raid 1  sd[a - c]3 68.43 gb  (each)  ** lvm under raid 5 here **

that's linux system. now...

there sda4. what's going on disk sda larger other 2 20 gb. did carve out 80 gb disk , run linux system across other 2 80 gb disks plus 80 gb larger disk. want put windows on space (sda4).

should expect? especially, how can pull off successfully? ideas?
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edit:

thinking , think i'd do, if it's possible, use grub boot both o/s. i'm uncertain if need chain boot (so grub points windows boot loader windows boot loader takes on , boots windows) or if can eliminate windows boot loader system altogether.

just off wall suggestion...
considering complicated partitioning scheme have, why not buy hdd , install windows drive,
, either use bios select os boot or after installation, switch original boot selection in bios , rum update-grub there.

grub pick windows disc , should boot grub menu.
may want disconnect other drives while installing prevent windows screwing present system.

there may other hoops jump through make sure things end well...

suggestion. not sure easy, think doable if done carefully.
don't trust windows installer tell to.

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