OS Question

Since I have no idea on where to turn, but know that every question I have ever asked here has gotten answered.

I need to ask you guys a question. I want to run Linux on my system, but windows as well. One of my friends older brothers has it when his computer starts, he gets brought to a C:> dos prompt at which he types in the name of the operating system he wishes to run at the time "Windows" or "Win", or "Linux"

Could anyone here please help me? If there are other ways of doing this, like always starting in Windows mode unless a Linux boot disk is present, or something?

This would be a great help, I don’t require a direct answer, but maybe a step in the right direction? Perhaps A web site featuring a good build of the Linux OS, or somewhere that answers my question in full. Thank you all.

~Project 32 (Chris)

I haven't used Linux in quite a while, but as I remember the LILO boot manager allows you to type in the name of the boot information block to from. I also seem to remember that it has a timeout and default option so you could set it up to boot Windows by default.

Why don't you ask your friend's brother how to set it up?

Most simple way:
create 2 partitions, 1. Windows, 2. Linux
install both OS'es (preferably Windows first!)
After installing Linux, use LILO to setup/create a bootloader which will work as a menu too.

Or, if you want Linux to load only when a boot disk is present don't install LILO, and make sure that your BIOS is setup to boot from A:.

Good Luck
-cl

better question guys, where can i find a good Linux OS? i heard Debian was really good, i dont want to use Red Had cuz i heard there no use, its too much like windows.. ive been looking for Debian but i cant seem to find it becase there are soo many different versions im lost on which to get

I think you would be making a big mistake dismissing Red Hat because you
heard it was too much like windows. Red Hat, along with every other newer
version of linux comes with either/both the Gnome and KDE X-Windows
desktops. You don't have to use them any more with Red Hat than with any
other linux distribution. Red Hat is, IMHO, the best distribution out there.


[Moved from VB General Help]

I just got Red Hat 7.1, and a new hard drive to put it on, but have yet to install either. Heh heh. Guess I'm just lazy.... images/icons/wink.gif

I was surprised to find that Red Hat is £60-£70, when the actual source is free for download. I think they're taking privileges with our money here.. but still - I heard its the best one to get. So we'll see.

Chief

Its free to download provided you've got a fast internet connection. Bear in mind that downloading 1.3Gb over a 56K modem would probably cost you £60 in call charges (not to mentioned the 3 or 4 of solid downloading).

A cheaper option is to buy some of those mags who came with linux cds (with different flavors) and small guides to use them. I use slackware, and i do not recommend it to new users, i never tryed red hat, but i think it is a good option since i didn't like debian

i wouldn't say redhat is the best, but it is ceratinly good and one of the most popular. i use mandrake 7.1. very nice. when you install it uses it's own partition tool to resize and setup the partiotions for windoze and linux. when you boot the OS selection is handled by a menu interface bootloader called GRUB. simple.