Triple-boot? -- XP Pro/ubuntu [or kubuntu]/Mandriva

[john levin]

Chuck Mattsen wrote:
> On Monday 30 January 2006 11:52, john levin wrote:
> jl> Just boot from the Ubuntu install cd, taking care to read the screen 
> jl> when it comes to partitioning. There should be a 'use empty space' 
> jl> option, and that's where Ubuntu will install itself. I believe it will 
> jl> also spot and use the swap partition (as swap, natch), and should detect 
> jl> the Mandriva install, although I can't vouch for that. It'll certainly 
> jl> find the WinXP partition. (The only time I have had two linux installs 
> jl> on one drive was dual booting dapper and breezy.)
> 
> I guess the main question here is:  If it becomes apparent at that point 
> (partitioning) that Ubuntu is going to make a change that I don't approve of, 
> can one still easily back out then and no damage done?  Or have any 
> potentially annoying changes taken place already at that point?  I'm assuming 
> the prior, but not having Ubuntu/Kubuntu experience beyond playing with the 
> LiveCDs, thought I'd better doublecheck.
> 

The important thing here is to read the screens carefully. There is a 
warning screen, after you've made your choices, that says 'If you 
continue, the changes listed below will be written to disks.'
Screenshot:
http://shots.osdir.com/slideshows/slideshow.php?release=305&slide=10

That's the point of no return

> jl> You may want the two linuxes to share the home partition, although 9.7gb 
> jl> is more than enough for ubuntu with kde and lots more besides, if you do 
> jl> that.
> 
> Well, ultimately, I want to wipe the Mandriva install, once I have 
> successfully migrated my main apps and data to Ubuntu/Kubuntu.  In the 
> interim, though, would there not be potential conflicts having two active 
> distros sharing the same /home data? 

Sharing the home directory is fine, although there can be conflicts if 
two different distros share the same user/s.

HTH

John