2 HDD's 2 OS's?

[.Maleficus.]

Is it possible to have 2 hard drives in your computer, each one containing a different OS? And then at the boot screen, be able to select the hard drive you would like to use and boot from?

If it is possible, how is it done?

[Airbozo]

It really depends on the 2 os's you want to boot, but assuming XP and linux;

It is possible. Normally you just install XP, then install linux and select where (what drive or partition) you want to install it. During the install linux will want to install the grub boot loader (or another boot loader) onto the first drive. This is mandatory so let it do its thing. You can setup the default os to load after a certain timeout period (in case no one is around to choose) and even change the timeout period or have it wait forever for an input.

If it is linux and XP do a google search on "dual boot xp linux". Again IF it is XP and linux, XP _MUST_ be installed first, otherwise XP will wipe out the boot sector and replace it.

[.Maleficus.]

Yes, it is XP and Linux (until Vista comes out with a good, stable update). Thank you for the help!

[Airbozo]

Yes, it is XP and Linux (until Vista comes out with a good, stable update). Thank you for the help!


No problem, I have done the "dual boot" for about 10 years now. I remember trying it on 2 drives a while back but had issues with it. I know it works now so don't be put off. I currently boot off of one drive (ide) and use my sata raid for data for both OS's (most linux distro's are unable to boot from a raid partition).

EDIT: ...unable to _reliably_ boot...

I've been told.

[xpc]

nice. i also need that info. thanks man!

[.Maleficus.]

Is there any way to transfer files and downloads and stuff from one OS to the other? Because I will have to use wireless internet and my wireless won't work on Ubuntu and I want to get my downloads off XP and onto Ubuntu.

[Airbozo]

Is there any way to transfer files and downloads and stuff from one OS to the other? Because I will have to use wireless internet and my wireless won't work on Ubuntu and I want to get my downloads off XP and onto Ubuntu.


Yes. When you do the disk partitioning setup one partition as fat32 and you can read/write to it from either os. (have not tested whether linux can read/write ntfs, but I assume it can).

BTW ubuntu _should_ work with your wireless card unless it is some esoteric brand.

[.Maleficus.]

BTW ubuntu _should_ work with your wireless card unless it is some esoteric brand.


OMG ARE YOU SERIOUS?! If I could get it to work I would be sooo happy... Well, it's a Linksys USB wireless adapter. The last few times I've tried getting wireless it didn't work, but all I did was plug in the adapter and tried to go on. I take it there is configuring I need to do?

[Airbozo]

Yes there will be some configuration and you _may_ have to have a driver from the company's site. Since it is a usb device, you have to make sure your usb is working properly before even trying to install the wireless adapter.

Check out the linksys website under the download/support section to find out if your model has linux drivers or not.

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Content_C1&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1115416835852&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper

EDIT: I really should know this stuff right off the top of my head since I will be taking the linux certification tests in the next couple of months and this question IS on the test.

[.Maleficus.]

It seems that the driver I need is in a .zip format, and the data sheet says it's compatible with Windows 98SE, ME, 2000 and XP. I'll look on the Ubuntu Forums to see if anyone else has this working on thier computer.

[Airbozo]

It seems that the driver I need is in a .zip format, and the data sheet says it's compatible with Windows 98SE, ME, 2000 and XP. I'll look on the Ubuntu Forums to see if anyone else has this working on thier computer.

What model is it, I may be able to help.

[.Maleficus.]

I have 2 I could use. I have a WUSB854G ver. 4 and a WUSB11 2.8. Ubuntu recognized the WUSB11 in the Networking Tools or whatever it is, but I haven't tried the other one. The WUSB11 didn't work though.

[.Maleficus.]

I tried using my WUSB854G adapter, and when activating it, the computer freezes. Hmmm.

[Airbozo]

None of my sources show any luck with the WUSB54G, and even mention that the wireless usb adapters in general are tough to get working under linux without some knowledge of the kernel internals. (thanks doug at redhat!)

That said, you may have some luck perusing the linux boards of your particular distro. Even other distro sites may be of help if you are running the same kernel.

[.Maleficus.]

Ok, I'll check around and see what I can come up with.

[.Maleficus.]

I found a guide to get the WUSB11 set up, but when I finished doing it, Networking didn't detect it and it also changed my eth1 to eth2. Now, instead of having wlan0, eth0, eth1 and modem, I have eth0, eth2, and modem. What's up with that?

[Airbozo]

Usually when it adds another eth# the old one is still configured in the system (not necessarily detected) The number is not really important so long as it works (which it seems not to be).

Type: ifconfig -a and either send me the results or post it here, and I will see what I can deduce..

also type: netstat -a (think it is a) and send that too.

[stalkier]

Hey guys. I have a little experience with Ubuntu and XP dual-boot using a broadcom WiFi chip. I battled for 2 weeks to get my WiFi running with Ubuntu. You need to check the Ubuntu Forums. There is very useful info on there. I hope this helps a little.

Stalkier