2 questions

[Ladypcer]

Can 2 Linux OS'es share boot and swap partitions, or do I need to make one for each?

How would I set up Grub to allow me to boot to another Linux OS?

Thanks.

[Grogan]

I would not share /boot partitions (boot doesn't have to be a partition anyway... it can be just a directory on another Linux partition). You can use the same swap partition though.

OK, first, there's some official Grub howtos...

http://www.gnu.org/manual/grub/html_mono/grub.html#Configuration
http://www.linuxdocs.org/HOWTOs/mini/Multiboot-with-GRUB.html

Now, when you install a second Linux distribution, don't install a boot loader at all. Manually edit your /boot/grub/menu.lst file on the existing setup.

I don't know what your partitions, but here's an example of /boot/grub/menu.lst entries for Linux distributions:


# grub.conf generated by anaconda
#
# Note that you do not have to rerun grub after making changes to this file
# NOTICE: You have a /boot partition. This means that
# all kernel and initrd paths are relative to /boot/, eg.
# root (hd0,0)
# kernel /vmlinuz-version ro root=/dev/hda1
# initrd /initrd-version.img
#boot=/dev/hda
default=0
timeout=10
splashimage=(hd0,0)/grub/splash.xpm.gz
title Red Hat Linux (2.4.18-3)
root (hd0,0)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.4.18-3 ro root=/dev/hda2
initrd /initrd-2.4.18-3.img
title Mandrake Linux
root (hd1,0)
kernel (hd1,0)/boot/vmlinuz-2.4.19-2mdk ro root=/dev/hdb1
initrd (hd1,0)/boot/whatever

OK, in this example I've hastily concocted, redhat is installed to the first hard disk and /boot is /dev/hda1 and the root filesystem is /dev/hda2. The second distribution is mandrake, installed to the first partition of the second hard disk. /boot is just a directory, not a partition.

Shit, that code tag double spaces the lines. Oh well, just know that the file isn't supposed to be double spaced

[Ladypcer]

Thanks Grogan. I'm printing that out and may tackle it after work today.

I really appreciate your guidance.
:)

I knew you could share swap, but wasn't sure about "boot".

[Grogan]

I made an edit to that sample grub configuration, though it was only a rough guide. You'd have to get the parameters correct for your setup anyway based on your own file as an existing example and of course, based on where you install the second Linux distro.

By the way, if you find Grub too yucky, you could always install LILO instead. (beforehand... check for an /etc/lilo.conf file and make sure it's correct for your existing distro... then simply run lilo. I know that Mandrake creates (or used to create, anyway) both configuration files during the installation.

[Ladypcer]

Ok, I'll take another look at the instructions.

I've always used Lilo until recently. I switched to Grub to see what the difference is.