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
-
Installing into a Windows 95 Machine leaving the Windows
intact.
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:-
-
The Hard Disk 2 GB in size
-
That we shall use Half the Hard Disk for Windows 95 and
the other Half for Linux.
-
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.
-
Install Windows 95. By this, we mean to install full
Windows 95 to a point where you have a working Windows 95.
-
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:-
-
The Windows 95 is installed on the entire Hard Disk
-
Boot up to Windows 95. Do a full defragmentation of
your Hard Disk.
-
Shut down immediately and make sure you do NOT call Windows
again.
-
Take the Installation CD. Go into the DOSUTILS diretory.
Look for FIPS.
-
Run FIPS. FIPS will allow you to shrink the current
Windows 95 Partition.
-
After running FIPS, you will be left with two partitions.
Delete the second partition.
-
Install Linux as per normal, making use of the Free Hard
Disk Space.