How can I run both Linux and Windows XP on the same computer?

My laptop currently uses Windows XP. I would like to be able to switch between this and some form of Linux. How is this done?

How can I run both Linux and Windows XP on the same computer?
partition the drive
Reply:Yes you can do.





You need to create to partitions and install windows on 1 and linux on 2.





Linux has a boot loader called grub which I would advise using, basically when you turn you PC on you will be given an option as to which OS you want to access!





It is amazingly easy to do, hope that helps
Reply:Simple.





Just make a boot partition, and partitions for each O/S.





There is a program called 'partition magic' that is great for resizing and creating partitions - it uses a graphic interface, and allows you to resize a partition that already has an O/S on it.





The boot partition will be what the computer comes up to first - and once you have the other partitions loaded with O/S's you will be able to choose between them.
Reply:Not sure with xp as your first OS





If you had linux as your primary OS you could use Virtual PC so that you could also run XP.
Reply:you could partition your drive but there is a much better way--- it is called virtual PC. you can have a virtual PC run any OS from any other OS you want. just in another window. It is pretty cool.





http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual...
Reply:Partition your hardrive. Keep windows on one partition, load linux on the other one.
Reply:There are two ways of doing this..





Option 1


1) When you format the HDD keep some unformatted space to be used for Linux


2) Install Windows XP in the formatted space


3) Install Linux (I have done this with RedHat) by booting up with the installation CD and configure it to use multiple software (Its fairly easy if you can carefully read!)


Once done you will have two OS in your desktop. The sytem will start with Linux and will give you two options to chose OS.


The drawback is that you will need to reboot if you need to switch.


Option2


1) Install Windows XP


2) Install VMWare Workstation


3) Install Linux inside VMWare


You can switch between Windows and Linux without restarting. There will be less conflicts between the OS as in the first case. The drawback is that you would need good processing power, HDD space and a very high memory to get optimum performance.





Good Luck!
Reply:u probably can't do that.


p.s. i am no expert.
Reply:Make it dual boot.
Reply:Google LILO

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