Set Up Mandriva Linux & XP for a Dual Boot

How to Set Up Mandriva Linux & XP for a Dual Bootthumbnail
Dual booting will allow you to select Mandriva or Windows XP as your computer starts up.
Mandriva is one of many different distributions of the Linux operating systems. Linux components are developed by volunteer developers. Companies that create Linux distributions package these components in unique ways and create installation routines to make installing Linux more simple. Mandriva has chosen to include a component with installation that makes setting up a computer to dual boot Mandriva and Microsoft Windows XP much easier. The component installed by Mandriva, and many other Linux distributions, is Grand Unified Bootloader, or GRUB.
Difficulty:
Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

Windows XP installation mediaMandriva installation media
  • 1
    Install Windows XP by placing the CD in your computer's CD drive and re-starting your computer. If you wish to use an existing XP installation, defragment your computer's hard drive and skip to the Mandriva installation steps.
  • 2
    Follow the installation and configuration instructions during the Windows XP installation procedure.
  • 3
    Remove the Windows XP CD from your computer once the installation has finished.
  • 4
    Put the Mandriva CD in the drive and re-boot the system. Follow the directions until the screen comes up where you can select custom disk partitioning. Select that option.
  • 5
    Select "Use free space on Microsoft Windows partition." This will allow you to use space not used by Windows for your Mandriva installation.
  • 6
    Follow the instructions to create a Mandriva partition that is at least 10 gigabytes (GB).
  • 7
    Allow the installation to finish.
  • 8
    Re-boot your computer. GRUB will appear before either operating system loads. Select "XP" or "Mandriva" and press "Enter."