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Date:      Sat, 18 Aug 2001 08:08:03 +0200
From:      Bjarne Wichmann Petersen <mekanix@privat.dk>
To:        freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG
Subject:   Re: Win2K-FreeBSD-Linux on the same machine
Message-ID:  <20010818060621.YYOX6587.fepF.post.tele.dk@there>
In-Reply-To: <Pine.GSO.4.33.0108171710320.936-100000@freke.odin.pdx.edu>
References:  <Pine.GSO.4.33.0108171710320.936-100000@freke.odin.pdx.edu>

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On Saturday 18 August 2001 02:18, you wrote:

> I request you to please advise me what are the right steps and what else I
> need to take care during installation, also I wonder how FreeBSd and linux
> will know which partition they need to reside. I was also seeing some
> message about loader, please tell me how to configure that.

Well, the 1st step is to find out how many partitions you need. Both Windows 
and the FreeBSD slice needs to be located on primary-partitions (don't know 
whether it's possible for bsd-slices to be located on extended, seems to 
recall that they don't). And Windows needs to be located on the first (linux: 
hda1, bsd: ad0s1). 

Linux runs from both primary and extended.

Secondly, IIRC the bsd-slice containing the '/' partition/bootblock needs to 
be locatede *below* the 1024-cylinder barrier (this barrier might have been 
removed, I can't seem to find any information on this).

Linux doesn't have this limit (might depend on which distro you use) so no 
sweat there. Instead you'll have to create several partitions for linux (/, 
swap, /usr, /var and what else you'll like).

A suggestion how to setup you drive would be something along the line:

1st primary (hda1) : Windows (1-2 GB)
2nd primary (hda2): BSD slice (the size you like)
1st extended (hda5): Linux, / (50-100 MB)
2nd extended (hda6): Linux, swap (2xRAM)
3rd extended (hda7): Linux, /var (X MB)
4th extended (hda8): Linux, /usr (X MB)
(her I'd personally add partitions for /home and /usr/local but is really not 
needed)
5th extended (hda9): VFAT/D: (X MB). Splitting up windowsinstallation is 
really a good thing. Leave C: with all the system stuff. When it's time for 
your weekly reinstall you'll only need those 2+ hours for the system. All 
your apps, games etc. have you left on D: and thus doesn't need to be 
reinstalled! ;-)

Now, your HD is partitioned and you can start installing the software. Start 
with Windows.

As for the bootloader, try reading up on GRUB (install grub on bsd and the 
'info grub'). I don't know much more. Oh, and remember to make a bootfloppy 
for bsd/linux or both. When you reinstall Windows, your MBA and thus you 
bootloader goes bye bye. Boot the floppy and reinstall GRUB! ;-)

Hmm, a better writeup might be an idea for a FAQ?

Bjarne

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