How do I configure a Dual-boot System, Windows 95 & Linux?

To configure a Dual -Boot System with Windows 95 and Linux.  The procedure is generally very simple.  First, install Windows 95, then Linux, not the other way round as  Windows can sometimes fry the MBR where the Linux Loader is written.

We will briefly describe the steps to take for a number of situations:-
 



Installing into a New/Clean Hard Disk

Installation into a New/Clean Hard Disk is fairly straightfoward.  The general steps involved are laid down below.  We shall make a number of assumptions in this example.  These assumptions are:-

  1. Using DOS, partition the new Hard Disk with just 1 GB for Windows.  For Redhat 5.1 or Kernel 2.0.34, this can even be a FAT32 type partition.  For earlier kernels, you may have to patch the kernel in order for you to mount FAT 32 from Linux.
  2. Install Windows 95.  By this, we mean to install full Windows 95 to a point where you have a working Windows 95.
  3. Install Linux as per normal, making use of the Free Hard Disk Space.


Installing into a Windows 95 Machine leaving the Windows intact.

Installation into a now working Windows 95 machine is a little more complicated.  The easiest way of course is to delete everything and then follow the steps laid out above.  However, this is not often practical as you will have to reinstall everything from scratch.

The general steps involved are laid down below.  We shall make a number of assumptions in this example.  These assumptions are:-

  1. Boot up to Windows 95.  Do a full defragmentation of your Hard Disk.
  2. Shut down immediately and make sure you do NOT call Windows again.
  3. Take the Installation CD.  Go into the DOSUTILS diretory.  Look for FIPS.
  4. Run FIPS.  FIPS will allow you to shrink the current Windows 95 Partition.
  5. After running FIPS, you will be left with two partitions.  Delete the second partition.
  6. Install Linux as per normal, making use of the Free Hard Disk Space.