Anyone know how to dual boot with vista?

[Lee2010]

I am in the process of converting one of my good friends over to Linux. I made him download the PCLOS 2010.1 kde live cd and he loves it. Problem is he isn't a computer person so he doesn't want to replace vista completely ( yet ). So does anyone have a guide so I can go help him install PCLOS beside vista I have never dual booted before and all the guides on the web refer to *buntu. any help would be nice.

[jaydot]

first have him decide how much of his hard disk he can spare to linux (min 20 gb recommended)  if he does a lot of video, audio, or graphics intensive stuff, have him assign generously.

use the vista tool to shrink the partition as far as it will go - usually about half - and if more is required for linux, boot the livecd and continue to shrink from there.

decide on the partition arrangement for linux.  if in doubt, assign the whole of the new partition and be done with it.  format the new partition(s) to ext4  and install.  if using the whole of the partition, the installer will offer to use it and will format automatically prior to writing the os to disk.

giving the full spec of the machine will help to determine what advice you get.

[Lee2010]

He says his HD has 176 GB free if that helps.

[Lee2010]

So now how to we add vista to grub... any body?

[bicol_willem]

So now how to we add vista to grub... any body?

The installer takes care for that. You simply find Linux as well as Vista in the boot menu after install. You'll see it actually passing the revue during setup. Can even modify it in the process (not recommended for new users)

(Hope to save you some waiting this way) 

[opie]

use the vista tool to shrink the partition as far as it will go - usually about half - and if more is required for linux, boot the livecd and continue to shrink from there.

I tried to install PCLOS 2010 on a Toshiba Satellite running Vista, so it dual boots with Vista.  I ran disk cleanup, defragmented the hard drive twice and ran chkdsk twice.  Windows Vista shows that I have 78.9 GB free space on a 110 GB hard drive.  However, when I ran the install from the PCLOS 2010 liveCD it failed because there was insufficient space on the hard drive.  I only set PCLOS to take up 17 GB.

Should I use the Vista tool to shrink the partition for Windows?  If so, where is that tool, and how do I use it?

[Old-Polack]

use the vista tool to shrink the partition as far as it will go - usually about half - and if more is required for linux, boot the livecd and continue to shrink from there.

I tried to install PCLOS 2010 on a Toshiba Satellite running Vista, so it dual boots with Vista.  I ran disk cleanup, defragmented the hard drive twice and ran chkdsk twice.  Windows Vista shows that I have 78.9 GB free space on a 110 GB hard drive.  However, when I ran the install from the PCLOS 2010 liveCD it failed because there was insufficient space on the hard drive.  I only set PCLOS to take up 17 GB.

Should I use the Vista tool to shrink the partition for Windows?  If so, where is that tool, and how do I use it?

Yes you should, and you are the one with the Vista installation, not us penguins, so look around; probably somewhere in the control center.

[opie]

I realized after asking that it was a dumb question.  Sorry.  I found it.  The problem now is that it only allows me to shrink 11,010 MB out of the total space.  That makes no sense when there is 78.9 GB of free space.   Any suggestions?

[Old-Polack]

I realized after asking that it was a dumb question.  Sorry.  I found it.  The problem now is that it only allows me to shrink 11,010 MB out of the total space.  That makes no sense when there is 78.9 GB of free space.   Any suggestions?

From what I've read, reduce the partition as much as Windows allows, after which you can safely shrink it more with the Linux tools.

[opie]

I tried to reduce the partition the allowable amount but an applet popped up telling me that there was not enough space on the disk to complete the task.

[gungaden]

opie, have a look at THIS article. It may explain your issue.

[opie]

Is there a legitimate reason for MS to put such barriers to partitioning the hard drive or is this a way to fight dual booting of Linux?  Is Windows 7 equally difficult to partition?

[Old-Polack]

Is there a legitimate reason for MS to put such barriers to partitioning the hard drive or is this a way to fight dual booting of Linux?  Is Windows 7 equally difficult to partition?

From the M$ view point customer lock in is the only legitimate reason to do anything. How else can they keep the cash flowing, with only second rate products to offer?

[bicol_willem]

Is there a legitimate reason for MS to put such barriers to partitioning the hard drive or is this a way to fight dual booting of Linux?  Is Windows 7 equally difficult to partition?

From the M$ view point customer lock in is the only legitimate reason to do anything. How else can they keep the cash flowing, with only second rate products to offer?

Ough!    So harsh ... 

[Was_Just19]

Is there a legitimate reason for MS to put such barriers to partitioning the hard drive or is this a way to fight dual booting of Linux?  Is Windows 7 equally difficult to partition?

From the M$ view point customer lock in is the only legitimate reason to do anything. How else can they keep the cash flowing, with only second rate products to offer?

Ough!    So harsh ... 

......  so true   .........