Linux + Windows HOWTO v0.1.0 1999-11-04

  * Overview
      + Intended Audience
      + How to Use This HOWTO
      + Concepts
   
  * Procedure (uc)
      + Reference
      + Backup
      + Catalog
      + Attach
      + Compact
      + Repartition
      + Format
      + Initial Program Load
      + Boot Manager
      + Mounting (uc)
          o Windows partition visible from Linux (uc)
          o Linux partition visible from Windows (uc)
          o Permissions (uc)
       
   
  * Choices (uc)
      + Architecture
      + Filesystem
      + Linux
      + Windows (uc)
          o Windows 3.1 (uc)
          o Windows 95 (uc)
          o Windows 98 (uc)
          o Windows 2000 (uc)
          o Windows NT (uc)
       
      + Backup Tools
      + Compaction Tools
      + Repartitioning Tools
      + Boot Manager
   
  * Actual Experience (uc)
      + Adding linux to new computer preloaded with Windows 98 (uc)
   
  * Appendices (uc)
      + Frequently Asked Questions
      + Caveats (uc)
      + Tips and Tricks (uc)
   
  * Reference (uc)
      + Legend
      + Glossary
      + Bibliography
      + Index (uc)
   
  * This HOWTO
      + Copyright and Licensing
      + How to Report Errors or Omissions in This HOWTO
      + Future Work
      + Revision History
   
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overview

Intended Audience

This HOWTO is aimed at assisting those who wish to use the features of both
Windows and Linux on the same host.

Nancy Nancy just bought a new computer.  It came preloaded with Windows 98.
Nancy wants to run accounting software supported by Windows 98 and
mathematical research software. Nancy is an accountant and donates her time
as the accountant for the local chapter of a charitable organization.  The
charitable organization requires the chapters to use standard software that
they have chosen.  This software is only supported on Windows 98, so Nancy
must have Windows 98 to donate her accounting services.  Nancy also teaches
mathematics and personally pursues research mathematics.  She is not a
programmer amd doesn't want to waste unnecessary time doing system
administration nor working with inflexible software.  She believes that
octave, c++ and the best research software is supported by unix.  As a unix
dialect she wants linux.

Lisa Lisa is shopping for a new computer to replace her aging host.  Her
computer will be preloaded with RedHat 6.2 linux.  Lisa is a professional
programmer, who plans to run a server and firewall on her old computer.  Lisa
wants a low maintenance machine that reliability does her bidding. 
Occasionally she needs to read and write files for Macintosh and/or Windows
users.  She plans to remove Windows 95 from her old computer and run a
dedicated server and firewall under linux.  In accordance with her Microsoft
End User License Agreement she will transfer Windows 95 to her new computer. 
Since she plans to spend most of her time in linux, it isn't worth buying a
second Windows license to run Windows on both hosts.

Oscar Oscar is a system administrator for a large corporation that uses
Windows NT and Irix workstations.  One of the Windows NT workstations has
just crashed and won't boot.  Oscar has to recover critical data from the
host which was not backed up.  He needs tools to script searches and filter
files.  Oscar wants to use the panolpy of unix commands to low-level examine
the hard disk in his search for the lost corporate assets.  Last year Oscar
configured a "dual booter" but he no longer remembers the details.

Tom Tom is a graduate school teacher.  Tom also teaches continuing education
at the local community house.  Nancy is a friend of Tom and asked for his
help with her new computer.  Tom is happy to oblige and this HOWTO is one of
the consequences.

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How to Use This HOWTO

This HOWTO is focused on a general step-by-step procedure.  You should first
read which character among the intended audience  that you most nearly
match.  Follow along as Tom helps each characters configure their systems. 
Before doing more than skimming, you should at least skim the critical 
concepts.  Some of the words used may be unfamiliar, obsolete, or applied
differently, so it is important to understand their usage in this HOWTO. 
Please write the maintainer with your experience good or bad.

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Concepts

Understanding this HOWTO depends on understanding its use of the following
concepts.

  * Disk and Format
  * Partition and Filesystem
  * Operating System

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Procedure

Reference

 1. Nancy Tom Backup your software and data
 2. Tom  Lisa  Oscar Compile a catalog of hardware component models and
    software versions.
 3. Oscar Attach new disks.
 4. Nancy Tom Compact the existing software and data.
 5.  Tom Lisa  Nancy Repartition the disk..
 6. Nancy  Lisa  Tom Format the new partitions.
 7.  Lisa  Tom Nancy Load the new operating systems.
 8.  Tom Lisa  Nancy Install the boot manager (uc).
 9. Tom Nancy Lisa Oscar Cross mount the devices.

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Backup

Nancy Installing linux on Nancy system will involve repartitioning.  Any time
you repartition a hard disk you run a significant risk of losing data on the
disk.  More precisely repartitioning does not actually cause data loss, but
does tend to discover data that was lost piror.

Tom Tom warned Nancy that she should backup everything before starting. 
Familiar with pluming repair, Tom knew that whey you shut off the water for
10min to replace a dripping faucet, you often find that the pipes in the
floor were rusted and leaking.  Nancy knew nothiing of plumbing, but she had
a good book collection and had moved several times.  She knew that
bookshelves often break when you move them.

Since Lisa is buying a new computer, she has nothing yet to backup.  When
Oscar asked for the backups of the crashed computer he was met with the usual
blank expressions.  His job is essentially ot make a backup of the otherwise
lost data.

This version of this HOWTO does not detail how to backup.  If you wish to see
more information on backing up or if you wish to provide information please
contact the maintainer.

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Catalog

During installation, the size of disks, and other accurate specifications
will be necessary.  Entry of slightly wrong values will result in subtle
problems that may not show up immediately but will often be chronic,
frustratingly difficult to diagnose, and maybe impossible to fix.

Windows and your linux distribution may not support the same hardware.  You
should see the Hardware Compatibility HOWTO for a list of what is known to be
compatible or incompatible.

In general Windows is the more restrictive with exception of WinModems/
WinPrinters/....  Any hardware supported by Windows will usually be supported
by linux, though not necessarily included in your distribution.  Much
hardware, especially the old and the cutting edge, may be supported by linux
but not by Windows.  If not included in your distribution, you can usually
download linux drivers and or modules from the Internet.

Winmodems, Winprinters, Winscanners, etc. are not supportable under linux. 
These devices are actually firmware that depend on proprietary Windows
software.  In the United States it is illegal to sell a linux distribution
that supports these devices.

Lisa Lisa has dealt with software long enough to know the value of
specifications.  Even before purchasing a computer, Lisa has already created
a log.  For each computer being considered from each prospective vendor, Lisa
has a list of each component, its model and capabilities.

Tom Tom knows that one of the least expensive means to support reliability in
any complex system (computer, airplane, car, etc.) is by keeping accurate
maintenance records.  Many (if not most) of the compatiblity problems
reported by Tom's students would be prevented if accurate records were kept
and consulted.

Tom usually recommends avoiding WinModems, etc. because their performance
limitations are too severe for most people..

Oscar Oscar's company keeps records on the hardware components of each 
computer.  Before trying to fix any problem, Oscar examines the log and often
finds that intractible problems becomre easily solved when you know the model
details.

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Attach

One of the useful features of linux is the wide range of diagnostic and
repair tools that it supports.  The easy ability to write scripts also makes
it easy to write worms and do other recovery operations.

Oscar Oscar has easy access to a spare hard drive.  He checked the Hardware
Compatibility HOWTO to select a hard drive model.

  * Oscar grounds himself with a wrist strap to avoid accidental
    electrostatic damage.
  * He opens the case according to the service manual.
  * He slides the disk into the secondary drive slot and attaches an IDE
    cable.
  * Oscar closes the case and ungrounds himself.

This version of this HOWTO does not detail how to attach new drives.  If you
wish to see more information on attaching or if you wish to provide
information please contact the maintainer.

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Compact

Most new computers preloaded with Windows are delivered with a single FAT32
partition that occupies the entire disk.  Before loading
a second operating system on a shared disk, it must be split into at least
two partitions, since Windows and some linux distributions will not tolerate
another operating system on the same partition.

Tom Software is normally stored distributed across the disk partition. 
Before splitting a partition, all the data must be moved to the start of the
partition, so that when the partition is split, the old software and data
won't be lost.   Tom warns Lisa, Nancy, and especially Oscar that compacting
is not reversible.  If the partition is error-free, no active files will be
lost, but disconnected (deleted) files may be lost.  If the partition has
errors, tools exist that can often (but not always) recover disconnected
files before compaction.  After compacting , the disconnected files are
probably unrecoverable.

The fips included in tomsrtbt-1.6.335 is 0.9e and Tom has used it directly
with Windows 95.  Windows98 requires fips-2.0 or later which (at press time)
was not included in the archived tomsrtbt distributions.
 
Nancy is unafamiliar with open source code and the Internet, so Tom offers to
create her fips disk.

 1. Download fips-2.0 and expand in the directory $FIPSROOT
    (This may require privelege depending on Tom's linux configuration)
    (The address will probably change by the time you read this.)
    bash> FIPSROOT=/opt/packages/fips-2.0
    bash> mkdir -p $FIPSROOT/original
    bash> cd $FIPSROOT/original
    bash> wget 'ftp://sunsite.icm.edu.pl/pub/Linux/sunsite.unc.edu/system/
    installl/fips-2.0.zip'
    bash> cd $PIPSROOT
    bash> unzip -d oritinal/fips-2.0.zip
 2. Insert and mount the startup disk from Nancy.
    (This may require priveleges depending on Tom's linux configuration)
    bash> mkdir -p /floppy
    bash> mount -t vfat /dev/fd0 /floppy
 3. Follow the instructions for fips.  At press time, this means copy 3 files
    to the startup disk.
    bash> cp restorrb.exe fips.exe errors.txt /floppy
 4. Unmoun the floppy and return it to Nancy.
    bash> umount /floppy

Nancy Nancy's new machine was delivered preloaded with Windows 98 on a single
partition occupying the entire disk.  The installation was already compact,
but Nancy used scandisk and defrag anyway just to be safe.   When splitting
the partition with fips, it warns that the physical partition length does not
equal the logical partitin length.  Tom explains that this is expected since
her disk has more than 1024 cylinders.  Tom suggests that Nancy record the
current partition info in case it is needed to recover from a disaster. 
Following Tom's suggestion, Nancy reduces the first partition to
approximately 30% of the total disk size.

 1. Create a statup disk and give it to Tom.
    [Start] [Settings...\Control Panel] [[Add/Remove Programs] [Startup Disk]
    [Create Disk ...]
 2. Verify that the disk has no detectible errors.
    (There may still be hiddent errors.)
    [[My Computer] {(C:\)} [Properties ...] [Tools] [Error-checking status\
    Check now ...] [Type of test\Thorough] [Start]
    Fis any errors reported.
 3. Defragment the disk to remove blank areas and deleted files.
    [[My computer] {(C:\)} [Properties ...] [Tools] [Defragmentation status\
    Defragment now ...]
 4. Insert the fips startup disk from Tom and restart the computer.
    [Start] [Shutdown...] [Restart] [OK]
 5. When the computer reboots, split the partition.
    A:\> fips
    Save current partition info: yes
    New partition start: 501

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Repartition

A normal linux installation requires at least two partitions.  It usually
improves performance to more partitions.  Most bioses support no more than 4
primary partitions.

Tom Tom recommends that the disk be divided into 4 partitions.

 1. ~33% Windows bootable
    Windows requires residency on the first primary partition
 2. ~33% linux bootable
    On most computers, bootable partitions must reside entirely below 1024
    cylinders.
 3. ~64M swap
    A filesystem optimized for memory caching improves performance.
 4. ~33% data
    The last partition may be used by either or both operating systems if is
    compartible.

The Windows bootable partition must be one of the filesystems supported by
Windows.  Likewise the linux bootable partition must be one of the
filesystems supported by linux.  The swap partition must have a filesystem
supported by the operating system that will use it.  The last partition will
be used for data, and can have any filesystm.

At press time, the above division is safe for most computers.

Nancy is unafamiliar with open source and the Internet, so Tom lends her one
of his diagnostic disks with tomsrtbt..

tomsrtbt is a small distribution of linux on a single floppy disk that loads
into RAM.  Since it does not occupy nor run on the hard disk it is superb for
situations where the hard disk will be modified (e.g. repartitioning).

Tom stresses that repartitioning is simple but must be done with meticulous 
care, since everything else depends on it.  Like ignoring a crack in the
foundation of a house, partition table errors may not become apparent for a
long time, when it will be difficult or impossible to correct.

Nancy Nancy will be using her system primarily with Windows, so Tom
recommends that her data partition use FAT32   From the compoent catalog that
Tom prepared for her computer, Nancy knows that her hard disk has 1661
cylinders.

 1. 0001-0501 Windows FAT32 bootable
 2. 0502-1002 linux ext2 bootable
 3. 1003-1011 linux swap
 4. 1012-1661 data FAT32

Lisa Lisa will be using her system primarily with linux, so her data
partition will use ext2   The data partition will then be unavailable to
Windows, but will be more easily used from linux.  Lisa's hard disk has 787
cylinders.

 1. 0001-0262 Windows FAT32 bootable
 2. 0263-0525 linux ext2 bootable
 3. 0526-0779 linux swap
 4. 0780-0787 data ext2

Nancy Nancy uses the tomsrtbt disk provided by Tom and fdisk on it to edit
her partition table.

 1. Insert the tomsrtbt disk and restart the computer.
 2. Read the fdisk instructions and list of known partition types
    bash> /bin/fdisk
    fdisk> m
    fdisk> l
 3. Read and record the partition table
    (After fips, her disk has two partitions.)
    fdisk> p
 4. Since her disk has more than 1024 cylinders, update the cylinder count
    known to fdisk with an advanced command
    fdisk> x
    fdisk expert> c 1661
    fdisk expert> r
 5. Delete the 2nd partition which was created by fips.
    fdisk> d
    ... partition[1-2]? 2
 6. Add the new 2nd partition for linux
    fdisk> n
    ... partition ...? 2
    ... extended ... primary ... type? p
    ... start ...? 502
    ... end ...? 1002
 7. Add the new 3rd partition for swap
    fdisk> n
    ... partition ...? 3
    ... extended ... primary ... type? p
    ... start ...? 1003
    ... end ...? 1011
 8. Add the new 4th partition for data
    fdisk> n
    ... partition ...? 4
    ... extended ... primary ... type? p
    ... start ...? 1012
    ... end ...? 1661
 9. Reprint the partition table and check carefully for errors.
    (delete and add the partitions if there are any errors)
    fdisk> p
10. Set the type (filesystem to be used) on each partition.
    fdisk> t
    ... partition ...? 2
    ... type ...? 83
    fdisk> t
    ... partition ...? 3
    ... type ...? 82
    fdisk> t
    ... partition ...? 4
    ... type ...? 0c
11. Record and repriint the partition table and check carefully for errors.
12. If unsatisfied quit.
    fdisk> q
13. If satisfied, write the partition table.
    fdisk> w

Nancy records the new partition table in her computer log.

Disk /dev/hda: 255 heads, 63 sectors, 1661 cylinders
    Units = cylinders of 16085 * 512 bytes
   
       Drive  Boot  Start  End  Blocks         Id   System
    /dev/hda1 *        1     501  402451+ 0c  Win95 FAT32 (LBA)
    /dev/hda2        502  1002  402482  83 Linux Native
    /dev/hda3       1003  1011  72292     82 Linux Swap
    /dev/hda4       1012  1661  5221125 83 Linux Native
   
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Format

In order to use any hard disk effectively, it must be formatted.  After
formating, whther successful or not, all the old data in that partition is
lost (the cost of recovery goes up 10-100x).

Tom Tom warns that Formatting is the only operation that is neither
idempotent nor reversible.  The tool provided by the intended operating
system should be used to format the partitions intended for that partition. 
Use format under Windows to format FAT32 partitions.  Use

Nancy    Nancy formats the data partition under Windows.

 1. Restart the computer in Windows
 2. Format the partition
    [[My Computer]] {(D:)} [Format ...] [Format type\Full] [Start]

Nancy uses the tomsrtbt disk provided by Tom to format the linux and swap
partitions under linux.

 1. Insert the tomsrtbt disk and restart
 2. Check for bad blocks and format the linux partition.
    bash> mke2fs -c /dev/hda2
 3. Check the filesystem
    bash> e2fsck /dev/hda2
 4. Check for bad blocks and make the swap file system
    bash> mkswap -c /dev/hda3

 Lisa   (untested) Lisa formats only linux partitions using tomsrtbt in the
same manner as Nancy.

 1. Insert the tomsrtbt disk and restart
 2. Check for bad blocks and format the linux partition.
    bash> mke2fs -c /dev/hda2
 3. Check the filesystem
    bash> e2fsck /dev/hda2
 4. Check for bad blocks and make the swap file system
    bash> mkswap -c /dev/hda3
 5. Check for bad blocks and make the data partition
    bash> mke2fs -c /dev/hda4
 6. Check the filesystem
    bash> e2fsck /dev/hda2

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Initial Program Load

Now is when the operating system(s) becomes a part ot the computer.  All
prior steps laid the foundation.  This is the first time when the detail and
accuracy of the catalog will be especially useful.  Follow the installation
instructions provided with your distribution.   This HOWTO does not detail
how to load the distribution because the distribution instructions will
provide the best instructions.

Tom Though linux is available at no cost,Tom recommends purchasing a
distribution with hardcopy instructions and support tools..  The price of a
good distribution is well worth it.  In Tom's opinion, asking friends is the
best way to choose a linux distribution.  A distribution that satisfies your
friends with similar interests will probably satisfy you.

Tom knows that Nancy got a newly released graphics card with which he has no
experience.  He warns Nancy that the X configuration may not work.  When she
calls him, he uses the expert options of yast which tell him that though her
card is not listed by manufacturer and model it used the mach64 X server. 
Now familiar with yast, Nancy installs the mach64 x server and removes the
svga X server.  Tom stays to talk Nancy through X installation.  Nancy's
monitor is not named in the configuration list, but with the model known from
the catalog, a quick visit to the manufacturer's website provides the scan
rate limits.

Tom knows that the configurability of linux frightens many new users and so
he has often recommended RedHat to first-time users because of its commercial
technical support and default configuration settings.  He lets Nancy know
that though she should try to consider each question before answering, she
need fear a mistake because she can reverse almost any configuration decision
later.   Most packages managment tools offer to load and save configurations
files (e.g. /etc/linuxrc).

  * Keep a list of the configuration questions and each answer to them.
  * When in doubt, add a package to linux, and note that it was in doubt.
  * A month after installation, go back and remove any packages that you
    haven't used, and log the removal.
  * Expect to discover some linux configuration errors by loss.
  * Change the linux configuration when you find that it is different from
    your desires.
  * When in doubt, do not add a package to Windows.

Tom knows that some differences between Windows and linux force some
compromises.

  * Set the hardware clock to local time.
      + Windows displays time, timestamps file operations, and synchronizes
        with the netowrk from the same clock.
      + Linux uses separate clocks for each of these.  On a linux only
        system, the hardware clock is usually set to UTC (Universal Time
        Coordinate), the network standard.  The network and file operations
        clock are usually just views of the hardware clock by linux.  For
        display, linux usually shifts the hardware clock according to the
        timezone and date.
      + Since Windows supports only one clock, you must decide (unless you
        live in Greenwich England) whether to set the hardware clock to local
        time or UTC.
      + If you use UTC, you will have to mentally convert the time displayed
        by Windows to local time.
      + If you use local time, some network activity may become confused. 
        International email problems are most commonly reported.  Mail sent
        from Berlin at 1300 local time may be stored a second later in New
        York at 1200 UTC where it awaits a channel to its San Francisco
        destination.  To save space, the New York host may delete mail that
        could not be sent in a reasonable time of 30min.  If the Berlin mail
        was unclear that ti was sent at 1300 Berlin time, or if the New York
        host is unwilling to do the conversion, the email may be lost as
        undliverable after 1 hour (1300 - 1200).
   
Nancy    Since Nancy is an accountant, Tom recommends that she use the SuSE
distribution.  SuSE comes with the ApplixWare suite of office software. 
Nancy has already read the installation chapters of the book that accompanied
her SuSE distribution.   yast from SuSE lets her store her configuration
choices in a file which she includes in her computer log.

 1. Nancy makes sure she has the catalog (and Tom's phone number) handy.
 2. She inserts the SuSE  CDROM and reboots the computer.
    She selects installation options (English, Color, ...)
 3. She examines the hardware detected for her system and confirms that it
    matches her own catalog.
    Both the hard disk and CD-RW were detected.
    Both the sound and graphics cards were detected.
    Both the PCI and USB buses were detected.
 4. Following the instructions from SuSE, she starts YaST, the system
    configuration tool.
 5. Already partitions, Nancy declines YaST's offer to repartition her disk.
 6. Already formatted by Windows, Nancy declines YaST's offer to format her
    Window's partitions.
 7. Though already formatted, Nancy accepts the offer to reformat her swap
    and linux partitions.
 8. Set the mount points for the partitions.
    [CREATING FILESYSTEMS]
    /dev/hda1     no    vfat /WinC Win95 FAT32
    /dev/hda2 ... check ext2 /     Linux
    /dev/hda4     no    vfat /WinD Win95 FAT32
 9. Nancy now selects the packages she wants.
     1. Nancy includes the nonstandard packages that she knows she wants
        (e.g. CD writing).
     2. Nancy excludes the standard packages that she knows she doesn't want
        (e.g. tape drive support).
     3. Nancy selects packagas for her specific hardware (e.g. X server)
        using her catalog.
     4. She indicates that the hardware clock is set to local time.
   
10. Nancy saves a copy of her configuration and puts in her log.

 Lisa   (uc) This subsection of this HOWTO is not yet written.

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Boot Manager Load

If you have two or more operating systems on a computer, you must have a
means of selecting which operating system is loaded.

Tom Before installing a boot manager, Tom recommends that Nancy and Lisa make
a boot disk (and master boot record backup).  He also recommends that each
test their boot disks before installing the boot manager.  This is done so
that the computer can be booted and the master boot record restored to the
hard disk if the boot manager installation fails

Because of its configurability and robustness, Tom recommends lilo to most
users..  Most linux distributions support multiple linux versions on the same
partition.  This means that you can install and test an upgrade to the
operating system without the trouble of a lengthy reinstallation.  When  the
upgrade is satisfactory (or not) you can remove versions no longer useful.

Nancy During installation, SuSE offers to make a boot disk, and master boot
record backup, before installing lilo.

 1. Create a rescue floppy.
    [CREATE A BOOT DISK?/YES]
 2. Nancy write-protects the disk and puts in her log.
 3. Nancy installs lilo
    [LILO INSTALLATION ...]
    Windows /dev/hda1
    SuSE    /dev/hda2 /boot/vmlinuz

Lisa Windows installation overwrites the master boot record with one that
loads Windows.  After installing Windows, Lisa must reinstall lilo.  To make
this easier she uses loalin under Windows to load her existing linux and then
uses linus to configure and install lilo..
 

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Mount

Oscar  Nancy  Lisa   (uc) This subsection of this HOWTO is not yet written.

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Choices

Architecture

The following is a summary of the architecture choices that you should
consider.   Your choice will probably depend most on your compuer expertise
level, value of existing data, and expected division of usage between Windows
and linux.
 
+---------+---------+-----------------+------------------+------------------+
|Separate | Shared  |     Support     |       Pros       |       Cons       |
|  for    |   by    |                 |                  |                  |
|linux and|linux and|                 |                  |                  |
| Windows | Windows |                 |                  |                  |
+---------+---------+-----------------+------------------+------------------+
|         |address  |Not Supported.   |                  |                  |
|         |space    |Windows must be  |                  |                  |
|         |         |the only         |                  |                  |
|         |         |operating system |                  |                  |
|         |         |in its partition.|                  |                  |
+---------+---------+-----------------+------------------+------------------+
|address  |partition|Not covered by   |No need to disturb|linux is slow.    |
|space    |         |this HOWTO.      |the current       |                  |
|         |         |VMWare under     |configuration.    |                  |
|         |         |Windows          |Linux can be      |                  |
|         |         |                 |loaded on the     |                  |
|         |         |                 |emulated system.  |                  |
+---------+---------+-----------------+------------------+------------------+
|address  |partition|Not covered by   |No need to disturb|Windows is slow   |
|space    |         |this HOWTO.      |the current       |                  |
|         |         |VMWare under     |configuration.    |                  |
|         |         |linux            |(unverified)      |                  |
|         |         |                 |Windows can be    |                  |
|         |         |                 |loaded on the     |                  |
|         |         |                 |emulated system.  |                  |
+---------+---------+-----------------+------------------+------------------+
|address  |partition|Not covered by   |No need to disturb|                  |
|space    |         |this HOWTO.      |the current       |                  |
|         |         |DosLinux         |configuration.    |                  |
+---------+---------+-----------------+------------------+------------------+
|address  |partition|Not covered by   |No need to disturb|                  |
|space    |         |this HOWTO.      |the current       |                  |
|         |         |Armed            |configuration.    |                  |
|         |         |distribution     |                  |                  |
|         |         |(unverified)     |                  |                  |
+---------+---------+-----------------+------------------+------------------+
|partition|disk     |Windows requires |Nancy Lisa        |Requires more     |
|         |         |that Windows     |Works with        |installation      |
|         |         |reside in the    |standard          |effort.           |
|         |         |first primary    |mail-order home   |                  |
|         |         |partition        |computers from the|                  |
|         |         |                 |major dealers.    |                  |
+---------+---------+-----------------+------------------+------------------+
|disk     |host     |                 |Oscar             |Normally requires |
|         |         |                 |Minimizes risk to |a second computer |
|         |         |                 |existing system   |and extra disks.  |
|         |         |                 |and data.         |                  |
|         |         |                 |Requires less     |                  |
|         |         |                 |installation      |                  |
|         |         |                 |effort.           |                  |
+---------+---------+-----------------+------------------+------------------+
|host     |network  |Not covered by   |Minimizes         |Requires at least |
|         |         |this HOWTO.      |installation      |two computers     |
|         |         |Classes, books,  |effort.           |equipped with     |
|         |         |and online help  |                  |network interface |
|         |         |is readily       |                  |cards.            |
|         |         |available.       |                  |Data is not       |
|         |         |                 |                  |directly available|
|         |         |                 |                  |to the other      |
|         |         |                 |                  |operating system. |
+---------+---------+-----------------+------------------+------------------+
 

Table of Contents 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Filesystems

 Your choice of filesystem is usually constrained by the hard disk
manufacturer, your choice of Windows version, and your choice of linux 
distribution.
 
+------+----+--------------+------------------------------------------------+
| Type |Code|   Support    |                  Description                   |
+------+----+--------------+------------------------------------------------+
|DOS6  |0x06|Windows 95    |IBM DOS default filesystem                      |
|      |    |Windows 98    |Names limited to eight characters + 3 character |
|      |    |Windows NT    |type                                            |
|      |    |linux         |                                                |
+------+----+--------------+------------------------------------------------+
|NTFS  |0x07|Windows NT    |Windows NT default filesystem                   |
|      |    |linux         |Names have arbitrary length                     |
|      |    |read-only     |Names cannot include special characters         |
+------+----+--------------+------------------------------------------------+
|FAT32 |0x0c|Windows 95    |Windows95/98 default filesystem                 |
|LBA   |    |Windows 98    |Names have arbitrary length                     |
|      |    |Windows NT    |Names cannot inlcude special characters         |
|      |    |linux         |                                                |
+------+----+--------------+------------------------------------------------+
|swap  |0x82|linux         |linex default memory cache filesystem           |
+------+----+--------------+------------------------------------------------+
|ext2  |0x83|linux         |linux default filesystem                        |
|      |    |              |Names have arbitrary length                     |
|      |    |              |Names can contain arbitrary characters          |
|      |    |              |Tends to suffer little external fragmentation.  |
|      |    |              |Scales well over several magnitudes of size.    |
|      |    |              |Runs quickly on semirandom access systems.      |
+------+----+--------------+------------------------------------------------+
 

Table of Contents 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Linux Distribution

 Your choice of distribution will depend mostly on friends' recommendations,
your level of computer expertise, and easy availability of packages.  Most
distributions will happily reside on the same disk, so there is no reason not
to try several distributions until you find the one that is best for you.
 
+---------+---------+-----------------+---------------------------+----------+
| Distro  |Publisher|     Source      |           Pros            |   Cons   |
+---------+---------+-----------------+---------------------------+----------+
|RedHat   |Red Hat, |http://          |Easy to install.           |Does not  |
|         |Inc.     |www.redhat.com/  |Home-user-friendly         |tolerate  |
|         |         |                 |Commercial support         |multiple  |
|         |         |                 |available                  |versins on|
|         |         |                 |Large number of bundled    |same      |
|         |         |                 |packages.                  |partition.|
|         |         |                 |Tolerates unbundled        |          |
|         |         |                 |packages.                  |          |
+---------+---------+-----------------+---------------------------+----------+
|Slackware|Walnut   |http://          |Largest number of bundled  |Moderate  |
|         |Creek    |www.slackware.org|packages.                  |computer  |
|         |CDROM    |/                |Professional-user-friendly |expertise |
|         |         |                 |Easiest software           |required. |
|         |         |                 |development                |          |
|         |         |                 |New packages most often    |          |
|         |         |                 |appear here first.         |          |
|         |         |                 |Tolerates unbundled        |          |
|         |         |                 |packages                   |          |
|         |         |                 |Tolerates multiple versions|          |
|         |         |                 |on same partition          |          |
+---------+---------+-----------------+---------------------------+----------+
|SuSE     |SuSE Gmbh|http://          |Easy to install.           |          |
|         |         |www.suse.com/    |Business-user-friendly     |          |
|         |         |                 |Aimed at business users    |          |
|         |         |                 |Commercial support         |          |
|         |         |                 |available                  |          |
|         |         |                 |Tolerates unbundled        |          |
|         |         |                 |packages.                  |          |
|         |         |                 |Tolerates multiple versions|          |
|         |         |                 |on same partition          |          |
+---------+---------+-----------------+---------------------------+----------+
 

Table of Contents 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Backup Tools

 
+------------+-------------+------------------------------------------------+
|    Tool    |Requirements |                  Description                   |
+------------+-------------+------------------------------------------------+
|Norton Ghost|Windows 95/98|Easy to use                                     |
|            |/NT          |Makes and restores images of disks or           |
|            |network drive|partitions.                                     |
|            |             |No selection or deselection of files/           |
|            |             |directories.                                    |
|            |             |No index generated.                             |
+------------+-------------+------------------------------------------------+
|tob         |linux        |Easy to use                                     |
|            |tape drive   |Easy to configure                               |
|            |             |Selects or deselects files/directories to backup|
|            |             |or restore                                      |
|            |             |Generates index of backups searchable to find   |
|            |             |archived files                                  |
+------------+-------------+------------------------------------------------+
|yast        |backup tool  |Graphical interface for system administration   |
|(untested)  |             |tools                                           |
|            |             |Included with SuSE linux                        |
+------------+-------------+------------------------------------------------+
 

Table of Contents 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Compaction Tools

 
+----+----------------+-----------------------------------------------------+
|Tool|  Requirements  |                     Description                     |
+----+----------------+-----------------------------------------------------+
|fips|Windows95       |Splits a FAT16 or FAT32 partition into two partitions|
|    |Included in     |without destroying data so that the new partition can|
|    |tomsrtbt-1.6.335|be loaded with a d different operating system        |
+----+----------------+-----------------------------------------------------+
|fips|Windows98       |Splits a FAT16 or FAT32 partition into two partitions|
|    |Windows98       |without destroying data so that the new partition can|
|    |requires at     |be loaded with a d different operating system        |
|    |least version   |                                                     |
|    |2.0             |                                                     |
|    |Run under       |                                                     |
|    |Windows98       |                                                     |
+----+----------------+-----------------------------------------------------+
 

Table of Contents 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Repartitioning Tools

 
+----------+----------------+-----------------------------------------------+
|   Tool   |  Requirements  |                  Description                  |
+----------+----------------+-----------------------------------------------+
|fdisk     |Included in     |Supports editting of a partition table.        |
|          |tomsrtbt-1.6.335|Two-tiered menu system.  The first level       |
|          |                |includes read and normal operations.  The      |
|          |                |second level lets you fix inconsistencies.     |
+----------+----------------+-----------------------------------------------+
|fdisk     |Included with   |Does not permit creattion of partitios         |
|          |Windows 95 and  |associated with filesystems not supported by   |
|          |Windows 98      |Wirdows, nor selecting a bootable partition    |
|          |                |other than the first primary partition.        |
+----------+----------------+-----------------------------------------------+
|yast      |backup tool     |Graphical interface for system administration  |
|(untested)|                |tools                                          |
|          |                |Included with SuSE linux                       |
+----------+----------------+-----------------------------------------------+
 

Table of Contents 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Formatting Tools

 
+------+------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Tool |         Requirements         |             Description             |
+------+------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
|e2fsck|Included in tomsrtbt-1.6.335  |Checks an ext2 filesystem for errors |
+------+------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
|format|Included with Windows 95 and  |Creates a vfat filesystem on a chosen|
|      |Windows 98                    |partition                            |
+------+------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
|mke2fs|Included in tomsrtbt-1.6.335  |Creates an ext2 filesystem on a      |
|      |                              |chosen partition.                    |
+------+------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
|mkswap|Included in tomsrtbt-1.6.335  |Creates a swap filesystem on a chosen|
|      |                              |partition.                           |
+------+------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
 

Table of Contents 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Boot Managers

 
+---------+------------+----------------------------------------------------+
|  Tool   |Requirements|                    Description                     |
+---------+------------+----------------------------------------------------+
|lilo     |linux       |Configures which operating system is booted.        |
|         |            |lilo itself if very robust and configurable.        |
|         |            |Some care is required,                              |
|         |            |  since lilo is usually used to overwrite the master|
|         |            |boot record,                                        |
|         |            |  lest one carelessly loose the ability to boot     |
|         |            |Windows automatically.                              |
+---------+------------+----------------------------------------------------+
|loadlin  |Windws 95 or|Started from Windows in dos mode.                   |
|(uc)     |98          |(Can be placed as shortcut in Windows)              |
|         |            |Replaces linux with Windows in memory.              |
|         |            |Since loadlin does not overwrite the master boot    |
|         |            |record,                                             |
|         |            |  a failed installation should not be able to risk  |
|         |            |Windows.                                            |
+---------+------------+----------------------------------------------------+
 

Table of Contents 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Actual Experiences

Adding linux to New Computer Preloaded with Windows 98

Tom Nancy is unfamiliar with keeping a log, so Tom prepared it for her as he
unboxed and assembled her new computer.   tom also knows that it is far
easier to remove the computer case once and record all the model numbers,
chipsets, and model types than it is to later open the case to get a single
model number or to guess the information that will be later needed.  During
the computer service life, only 10% of the numbers collected will ever be
used, but there is no easy way to predict which 10%.

Nancy The following is an extract from Nancy's log.  Identidation numbers
have been changed and some irrelevant data has been removed.  Most of the
data came from the invoice that accomapanied the computer and the
specifications [Start\Run...\] Open: c:\DELL\DOCS\EDOCS.EXE [OK] that were
provided on the computer.

Configuration

A hardcopy of critical portions of this information, master disks, and backup
disks is kept in a white binder, located physically close to this host,
labelled
Nancy System Administration Log.

Hardware

+----------+----------------------------+-----------+
|   Date   |        Bay or Slot         | Contents  |
+----------+----------------------------+-----------+
|1999-10-21|Primary Hard Disk Bay       |Hard Disk  |
+----------+----------------------------+-----------+
|1999-10-21|Secondary Hard Disk Bay     |empty      |
+----------+----------------------------+-----------+
|1999-10-21|Diskette Drive Bay          |Floppy Disk|
+----------+----------------------------+-----------+
|1999-10-21|Drive Cage Top 5.25" Bay    |CD Writer  |
+----------+----------------------------+-----------+
|1999-10-21|Drive Cage Bottom 5.25" Bay |empty      |
+----------+----------------------------+-----------+
|1999-10-21|Drive Cage Top 3.5" Bay     |empty      |
+----------+----------------------------+-----------+
|1999-10-21|Drive Cage Bottom 3.5" Bay  |empty      |
+----------+----------------------------+-----------+
|1999-10-21|Dimm Socket Bank 0          |RAM        |
+----------+----------------------------+-----------+
|1999-10-21|Dimm Socket Bank 1          |empty      |
+----------+----------------------------+-----------+
|1999-10-21|Dirmm Socket Bank 2         |empty      |
+----------+----------------------------+-----------+
|1999-10-21|Primary EIDE Bus            |Hard Disk  |
+----------+----------------------------+-----------+
|1999-10-21|Secondary EIDE Bus          |CD Writer  |
+----------+----------------------------+-----------+
|1999-10-21|ISA Expansion Slot          |empty      |
+----------+----------------------------+-----------+
|1999-10-21|PCI Expansion Slot 1        |empty      |
+----------+----------------------------+-----------+
|1999-10-21|PCI Expansion Slot 2        |Modem      |
+----------+----------------------------+-----------+
|1999-10-21|PCI Expansion Slot 3        |empty      |
+----------+----------------------------+-----------+
|1999-10-21|PCI Expansion Slot 4        |Sound      |
+----------+----------------------------+-----------+
|1999-10-21|PCI Expansion Slot 5        |empty      |
+----------+----------------------------+-----------+
|1999-10-21|AGP Port                    |Graphics   |
+----------+----------------------------+-----------+
+----------+----------------------------+-----------+
 
+----------+---------------------+------------------------------------------+
|   Date   |      Component      |                  Action                  |
+----------+---------------------+------------------------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Case                 |Tower                                     |
|          |                     |                                          |
|          |                     |Mfr Dell                                  |
|          |                     |Model Dimension XPS Txxx                  |
|          |                     |M/N MMS                                   |
|          |                     |Mfr Date mmddyy                           |
|          |                     |P/N 01968D Rev A04                        |
|          |                     |S/N nnnaa                                 |
|          |                     |DP/N 000338D Rev A00                      |
|          |                     |DS/N xxxxx-xxx-xxxx                       |
|          |                     |FCC Class B                               |
+----------+---------------------+------------------------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Dell Dimension XPS   |Mfr Dell                                  |
|          |Txxx                 |Model MMS                                 |
|          |Refrence and         |P/N 8868D Rev. A01                        |
|          |Troubleshooting Guide|                                          |
+----------+---------------------+------------------------------------------+
|1999-11-03|Central Procssing    |procssor: 0                               |
|          |Unit                 |vendor_id: GenuineIntel                   |
|          |                     |cpu family: 6 (Pentium III)               |
|          |                     |model: 7                                  |
|          |                     |model name: 00/07                         |
|          |                     |stepping: 3                               |
|          |                     |cpu MHZ: 448.971025                       |
|          |                     |cache size: 512 KB                        |
|          |                     |fdiv_bug: no                              |
|          |                     |hlt_bug: no                               |
|          |                     |sep_fug: no                               |
|          |                     |f00f_bug: no                              |
|          |                     |coma_bug: no                              |
|          |                     |fpu: yes                                  |
|          |                     |fpu_exception: yes                        |
|          |                     |cpuid level: 2                            |
|          |                     |wp: yes                                   |
|          |                     |flags: fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 |
|          |                     |sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat                 |
|          |                     |bogomips: 447.28                          |
|          |                     |                                          |
|          |                     |FCC Class B                               |
+----------+---------------------+------------------------------------------+
|1999-10-21|System Battery       |CR2032 3.0V                               |
+----------+---------------------+------------------------------------------+
|1999-10-21|System Board         |DP/N AA722396-109 Rev. A01                |
|          |                     |S/N xxxxxxxx-xxxxx-xxx-xxxx               |
|          |                     |FCC Class B                               |
+----------+---------------------+------------------------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Hard Disk            |Primary Hard Disk Bay                     |
|          |                     |Primary EIDE Bus                          |
|          |                     |FCC Class B                               |
|          |                     |                                          |
|          |                     |Capacity 13.6 GB                          |
|          |                     |RPM 7200RPM                               |
|          |                     |LBA 26.712.000 SECTORS                    |
|          |                     |CYL 1661                                  |
|          |                     |                                          |
|          |                     |DeskStar                                  |
|          |                     |Mfr IBM Disk Storage Products KFT.        |
|          |                     |Model DPTA-371360 IDE/ATA                 |
|          |                     |MLC F42312                                |
|          |                     |P/N 31L9151                               |
|          |                     |DP/N 0003570T-47710-9A2-31TJ              |
|          |                     |Rev A00                                   |
+----------+---------------------+------------------------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Floppy Disk          |Diskette Drive Bay                        |
|          |                     |FCC Class B                               |
|          |                     |                                          |
|          |                     |Mfr Sony                                  |
|          |                     |Model MPF920                              |
|          |                     |S/N xxxxxxxx                              |
|          |                     |DP/N 0003884D Rev A00                     |
|          |                     |DS/N xxxxx-xxx-xxxx                       |
+----------+---------------------+------------------------------------------+
|1999-10-21|CD Writer            |Drive Cage Top "5.25" Bay                 |
|          |                     |Secondary EIDE Bus                        |
|          |                     |FCC Class B                               |
|          |                     |                                          |
|          |                     |Jumpers                                   |
|          |                     |  Reserved                                |
|          |                     |  Reserved                                |
|          |                     |  R Audio Out                             |
|          |                     |  Gnd                                     |
|          |                     |  Gnd                                     |
|          |                     |  L Audio Out                             |
|          |                     |  CSEL (closed)                           |
|          |                     |  SLAVE (open)                            |
|          |                     |  MASTER (open)                           |
|          |                     |  ATAPI Cable (40-pin keyed)              |
|          |                     |  Power Supply (IBM 4-pin)                |
|          |                     |                                          |
|          |                     |CDR 4x                                    |
|          |                     |CDRW 4x                                   |
|          |                     |Read 24x                                  |
|          |                     |                                          |
|          |                     |Mfr Sony                                  |
|          |                     |Model CD-R/RW ATAPI                       |
|          |                     |M/N CRX100E                               |
|          |                     |S/N xxxxxx                                |
|          |                     |DP/N 0002064P Rev A00                     |
|          |                     |DS/N xxxxx-xxx-xxxx                       |
+----------+---------------------+------------------------------------------+
|1999-10-21|RAM                  |Dimm Socket Bank 0                        |
|          |                     |FCC Class B                               |
|          |                     |                                          |
|          |                     |16Mx 64 MB SDRAM                          |
|          |                     |Non-ECC                                   |
|          |                     |PC100-222-620                             |
|          |                     |168-pin                                   |
|          |                     |                                          |
|          |                     |Mfr Toshiba                               |
|          |                     |M/N THMY6416H1EG-A0                       |
|          |                     |S/N xxxxxx/xxxxxxx                        |
+----------+---------------------+------------------------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Modem                |PCI Expansion Slot 2                      |
|          |                     |J8 -> Sound Telephone Audio Out           |
|          |                     |FCC Class B                               |
|          |                     |                                          |
|          |                     |56K                                       |
|          |                     |See CD 3Com U.S.Robotics                  |
|          |                     |Modem CD-ROM                              |
|          |                     |                                          |
|          |                     |USRobotics V.90/56K                       |
|          |                     |Model 0727                                |
|          |                     |Mfr 3Com                                  |
|          |                     |Product 3CP3298-DEL                       |
|          |                     |SN xxxxxxxxxxxx                           |
|          |                     |DP/N 00046XVP Rev A00                     |
|          |                     |DS/N xxxxx-xxx-xxxx                       |
+----------+---------------------+------------------------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Sound                |Montego II                                |
|          |                     |PCI Expansion Slot 4                      |
|          |                     |CD IN -> CD Writer Audio Out              |
|          |                     |TAO -> Modem J8                           |
|          |                     |FCC Class B                               |
|          |                     |                                          |
|          |                     |Mfr Turtle Beach                          |
|          |                     |Model A3D 320V                            |
|          |                     |DP/N 0005931D Rev A00                     |
|          |                     |DS/N xxxxx-xxx-xxxx                       |
+----------+---------------------+------------------------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Graphics             |AGP Port                                  |
|          |                     |FCC Class B                               |
|          |                     |                                          |
|          |                     |Mfr ATI Technologies Inc                  |
|          |                     |P/N 1024980311010171                      |
|          |                     |S/N xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.           |
|          |                     |DP/N 0000320D Rev A00                     |
|          |                     |DS/N xxxxx-xxx-xxxx                       |
+----------+---------------------+------------------------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Power Supply         |FCC Class B                               |
|          |                     |                                          |
|          |                     |DP/N 0009228C Rev N02                     |
|          |                     |DS/N xxxxx-xxx-xxxx                       |
+----------+---------------------+------------------------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Monitor              |FCC Class B                               |
|          |                     |                                          |
|          |                     |17" (15.3" visible)                       |
|          |                     |Color 1024x768                            |
|          |                     |See CD Displays by Dell                   |
|          |                     |Ultrascan P780 Color Monitor              |
|          |                     |                                          |
|          |                     |Mfr Dell Computer, Inc.                   |
|          |                     |Model UltraScan P780                      |
|          |                     |P/N 6271R                                 |
|          |                     |S/N xxxxxxxxxxx                           |
+----------+---------------------+------------------------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Speakers             |Right Analog Input -> Sound ((( )))       |
|          |                     |FCC Class B                               |
|          |                     |                                          |
|          |                     |Mfr Harmon/Kardon                         |
|          |                     |Right M/N HK195                           |
|          |                     |Right P/N 3862A201                        |
|          |                     |Right DP/N ZL001-98U Rev B                |
|          |                     |Right DS/N xxxxx-xx                       |
|          |                     |Left M/N HK195                            |
|          |                     |Left DP/N ZL001-98URev B                  |
|          |                     |Left DS/N xx-xx                           |
|          |                     |Adapter M/N A41411C                       |
|          |                     |Adapter P/N HK195-01T                     |
|          |                     |Adapter Input 60Hz 22W                    |
|          |                     |Adapter Output 15VAC 1.1A                 |
+----------+---------------------+------------------------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Keyboard             |QuietKey                                  |
|          |                     |PS/2 Keyboard Connector                   |
|          |                     |FCC Class B                               |
|          |                     |                                          |
|          |                     |Mfr Dell                                  |
|          |                     |DP/N 0004939R Rev A00                     |
|          |                     |DS/N xxxxx-xxx-xxxx                       |
+----------+---------------------+------------------------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Mouse                |MS IntelliMouse                           |
|          |                     |PS/2 Mouse Connector                      |
|          |                     |FCC Class B                               |
|          |                     |                                          |
|          |                     |Mfr Microsoft Inc.                        |
|          |                     |Model IntelliMouse 1.1A PS/2              |
|          |                     |S/N xxxxxxxxx                             |
|          |                     |DP/N 03235E Rev A00                       |
+----------+---------------------+------------------------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Microphone           |-> Sound Mic In                           |
|          |                     |FCC Class B                               |
+----------+---------------------+------------------------------------------+

Bios

+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|   Date   |                 Component                 |         Action         |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Setup Procedure                            |Restart                 |
|          |                                           |When Dell splash screen |
|          |                                           |appears,                |
|          |                                           |[<del>]                 |
|          |                                           |Dell Dimension XPS T450 |
|          |                                           |Setup                   |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Main\BIOS Version                          |A05                     |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Main\Processor Type                        |Pentium(R) III          |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Main\processor Speed                       |450 MHz                 |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Main\Cache RAM                             |512KB                   |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Main\Service Tag                           |zzzzz                   |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Main\System memory                         |128 MB                  |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Main\L2 Cache ECC Support                  |Auto                    |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\Peripheral Configuration\Plug &   |No                      |
|          |Play O/S                                   |                        |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\Peripheral Configuration\Reset    |No                      |
|          |Configuration Data                         |                        |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\Peripheral Configuration\NumLock  |Auto                    |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\Peripheral Configuration\Serial   |Auto                    |
|          |Port A                                     |                        |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\Peripheral Configuration\Parallel |Auto                    |
|          |Port                                       |                        |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\Peripheral Configuration\Mode     |ECP                     |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\Peripheral Configuration\Legacy   |Enabled                 |
|          |USB Support                                |                        |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\IDE Configuration\IDE Controller  |Both                    |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\IDE Configuration\Primary IDE     |IBM-DPTA-371360-(PM)    |
|          |Master                                     |                        |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\IDE Configuration\Primary IDE     |None                    |
|          |Slave                                      |                        |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\IDE Configuration\Secondary IDE   |CD-RW CRX100E- (SM)     |
|          |Master                                     |                        |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\IDE Configuration\Secondary IDE   |None                    |
|          |Slave                                      |                        |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\Diskette Options\Diskette         |Enabled                 |
|          |Controller                                 |                        |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\Diskette Options\Diskette A       |1.44/1.25 MB 3.5"       |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\Diskette Options\Diskette Write   |Disabled                |
|          |Protect                                    |                        |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\DMI Event Logging\Event log       |Space Available         |
|          |capacity                                   |                        |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\DMI Event Logging\Event log       |Valid                   |
|          |validity                                   |                        |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\DMI Event Logging\View DMI event  |No unread events        |
|          |log                                        |                        |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\DMI Event Logging\Clear all DMI   |No                      |
|          |event logs                                 |                        |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\DMI Event Logging\DMI event       |Enabled                 |
|          |logging                                    |                        |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\DMI Event Logging\Mark DMI events |No unread events        |
|          |as read                                    |                        |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\Video Configuration\ISA Palette   |Disabled                |
|          |Snooping                                   |                        |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\Video Configuration\AGP Aperature |64MB                    |
|          |Size                                       |                        |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\Video Configuration\Default       |AGP                     |
|          |Primary Video Adapter                      |                        |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\Resource Configuration\C800-CBFF  |Available               |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\Recource Configuration\CC00-CFFF  |Available               |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\Recource Configuration\4000-43FF  |Available               |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\Recource Configuration\4400-47FF  |Available               |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\Recource Configuration\4800-4BFF  |Available               |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\Recource Configuration\4C00-4FFF  |Available               |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\Recource Configuration\IRQ 3      |Available               |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\Recource Configuration\IRQ 4      |Available               |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\Recource Configuration\IRQ 5      |Reserved                |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\Recource Configuration\IRQ 7      |Available               |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\Recource Configuration\IRQ 10     |Available               |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Advanced\Recource Configuration\IRQ 11     |Available               |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Power\Power Management                     |Enabled                 |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Power\Inactivity Timer                     |Off                     |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Power\Hard Drive                           |Enabled                 |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Power\VESA Video Power Down                |Standby                 |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Boot\Boot-time Diagnostic Screen           |Disabled                |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Boot\QuickBoot Mode                        |Disabled                |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Boot\First Boot Device                     |Removable Devices       |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Boot\Second Boot Device (obsolete)         |Hard Disk               |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-22|Boot\Second Boot Device                    |ATAPI CD-ROM Driv       |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Boot\Third Boot Device (obsolete)          |ATAPI CD-ROM Driv       |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Boot\Third Boot Device                     |Hard Disk               |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Boot\Fourth Boot Device                    |Network Drive           |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Boot\Hard Drive\1                          |IBM-DPTA-371360-(PM)    |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Boot\Hard Drive\2                          |Bootable Add-In Card    |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Boot\Removable Devices\1                   |Legacy Floppy Drive     |
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+
+----------+-------------------------------------------+------------------------+

Firmware

+----------+------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
|   Date   |    Component     |                     Action                      |
+----------+------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Partition Table   |tomsrtbt-1.6.335 (linux-2.0.35)                  |
|          |                  |bash>/bin/fdisk                                  |
|          |                  |fdisk> p                                         |
|          |                  |Disk /dev/hda: 255 heads, 63 sectors, 1024       |
|          |                  |cylinders                                        |
|          |                  |Units = cylinders of 16085 * 512 bytes           |
|          |                  |                                                 |
|          |                  |   Drive  Boot  Start  End  Blocks         Id    |
|          |                  |System                                           |
|          |                  |/dev/hda1 *        1     1662 13349983+ 0c  Win95|
|          |                  |FAT32 (LBA)                                      |
|          |                  |                                                 |
|          |                  |Partition has different physical/logical endings |
|          |                  |   phys = (1022, 254, 63)  logical = (1661, 254, |
|          |                  |63)                                              |
+----------+------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
|1999-10-22|Partition Table   |Windows98 Startup Disk +fips.exe                 |
|          |                  |A:\> fips                                        |
|          |                  |(Ignore warning about physical != logical length)|
|          |                  |                                                 |
|          |                  |Save current partition info: yes                 |
|          |                  |(saved as rootboot.000)                          |
|          |                  |New partition start: 501                         |
|          |                  |                                                 |
|          |                  |tomsrtbt-1.6.335 (linux-2.0.35)                  |
|          |                  |bash>/bin/fdisk -v                               |
|          |                  |fips Version 2.8                                 |
|          |                  |bash>/bin/fdisk                                  |
|          |                  |fdisk> p                                         |
|          |                  |Disk /dev/hda: 255 heads, 63 sectors, 1661       |
|          |                  |cylinders                                        |
|          |                  |Units = cylinders of 16085 * 512 bytes           |
|          |                  |                                                 |
|          |                  |   Drive  Boot  Start  End  Blocks         Id    |
|          |                  |System                                           |
|          |                  |/dev/hda1 *        1     501  402451+ 0c  Win95  |
|          |                  |FAT32 (LBA)                                      |
|          |                  |/dev/hda2        502  1002  402482  83 Linux     |
|          |                  |Native                                           |
|          |                  |/dev/hda3       1003  1011  72292     82 Linux   |
|          |                  |Swap                                             |
|          |                  |/dev/hda4       1012  1661  5221125 83 Linux     |
|          |                  |Native                                           |
+----------+------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Windows Operating |DESC KIT,DOC/DSK,W98,OSR1,ENG                    |
|          |System            |                                                 |
|          |                  |Language English (United States)                 |
|          |                  |Keyboard United States 101                       |
|          |                  |First and Middle Jo'an K.                        |
|          |                  |Last Name Meier                                  |
|          |                  |Country Code United States of America            |
|          |                  |Area Code 336                                    |
|          |                  |Access Code No                                   |
|          |                  |Touch Tone Yes                                   |
|          |                  |Time Zone (GMT-05:00) United States Eastern      |
|          |                  |Daylight Savings Time Automatic                  |
|          |                  |                                                 |
|          |                  |Mfr Microsoft                                    |
|          |                  |Model Windows98 2nd Ed                           |
|          |                  |Product Key G74XD-KMV7J-XJC3X-PYBG6-DHPP6        |
|          |                  |S/N xxxxxxxxxx                                   |
|          |                  |DP/N 08001T Rev. A00                             |
+----------+------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
|1999-11-03|linux Operating   |SuSE-6.2.0-2                                     |
|          |System            |                                                 |
|          |                  |reboot CDROM1                                    |
|          |                  |linuxrc v0.91 (kernel 2.2.10)                    |
|          |                  |                                                 |
|          |                  |linuxrc> ... language ... English                |
|          |                  |... display ...? Color display                   |
|          |                  |... keyboard ... English (US)                    |
|          |                  |Main menu                                        |
|          |                  |  System Information                             |
|          |                  |    Harddisks / CD-ROMS                          |
|          |                  |       (Hard Disk and CD-ROM found)              |
|          |                  |    Processor                                    |
|          |                  |       (no bugs)                                 |
|          |                  |  Start Installation / System                    |
|          |                  |    Start Installation                           |
|          |                  |      Source: CD-ROM                             |
|          |                  |                                                 |
|          |                  |Yast v1. 01                                      |
|          |                  |  Install Linux from scratch                     |
|          |                  |    [SELECT SWAP PARTITION] /dev/hda3            |
|          |                  |      ... format ... yes                         |
|          |                  |    [PARTITION HARDDRIVES/Do not Partition]      |
|          |                  |    CREATING FILESYSTEMS:                        |
|          |                  |/dev/hda1     no    vfat /WinC Win95 FAT32       |
|          |                  |/dev/hda2 ... check ext2 /     Linux             |
|          |                  |/dev/hda4     no    vfat /WinD Win95 FAT32       |
|          |                  |  Create/Change Configuration                    |
|          |                  |    Xserver = svga (otherwise unrecognized)      |
|          |                  |  [SELECT KERNEL/Standard (E)IDE Kernel]         |
+----------+------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
|1999-11-05|Root password     |In sealed envelope in hardcopy log.              |
+----------+------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
|1999-11-05|X11               |XFree86-3.3.4                                    |
+----------+------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
|1999-11-05|X11 mouse         |bash> yast                                       |
|          |                  |[System Administration/X86 Configuration/SaX]    |
|          |                  |[Mouse]                                          |
|          |                  |  Vendor: Microsoft                              |
|          |                  |  Name: Intellimouse PS/2                        |
|          |                  |  Port: PS/2                                     |
|          |                  |  Buttons: 3                                     |
|          |                  |  [Expert]                                       |
|          |                  |    Protocol: IMPS/2                             |
|          |                  |    Device: /dev/psaux                           |
|          |                  |   [OK]                                          |
|          |                  |[Apply]                                          |
+----------+------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
|1999-11-05|X11 keyboard      |bash> yast                                       |
|          |                  |[System Administration/X86 Configuration/SaX]    |
|          |                  |[Keyboard]                                       |
|          |                  |  Model: Dell 101-key PC                         |
|          |                  |  Language: U.S. English                         |
|          |                  |[Apply]                                          |
+----------+------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
|1999-11-05|X11 Graphics Card |bash> yast                                       |
|          |                  |[System Administration/X86 Configuration/SaX]    |
|          |                  |[Card]                                           |
|          |                  |  Vendor: ATI                                    |
|          |                  |  Model: XPERT98                                 |
|          |                  |  [Expert]                                       |
|          |                  |    Server: XF86_mach64                          |
|          |                  |    Memory: 8192k                                |
|          |                  |    DAC: 207                                     |
|          |                  |[Apply]                                          |
+----------+------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
|1999-11-05|X11               |                                                 |
+----------+------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
+----------+------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
+----------+------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
+----------+------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
|1999-11-05|TimeZone          |EST5EDT                                          |
|          |                  |                                                 |
|          |                  |Hardware Clock set to local time                 |
+----------+------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
|1999-11-05|Network           |Hostname: xxxxxxx                                |
|          |                  |Domain: xxxx.xxx                                 |
|          |                  |                                                 |
|          |                  |No network card                                  |
|          |                  |[TCP IP CONFIGURATION/Loopback only1             |
+----------+------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
|1999-11-05|Mail              |Modem will be used                               |
|          |                  |                                                 |
|          |                  |[SENDMAIL CONFIGRUATION/... temporary connection |
|          |                  |...]                                             |
+----------+------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
|1999-11-05|Boot Manager      |lilo                                             |
|          |                  |                                                 |
|          |                  |Windows /dev/hda1                                |
|          |                  |SuSE /dev/hda2 /boot/vmlinuz                     |
+----------+------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Partition 1       |C:                                               |
|          |Filesystem        |FAT32                                            |
+----------+------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
|1999-11-02|Partition 2       |tomsrtbt-1.6.335 (linux-2.0.35)                  |
|          |Filesystem        |bash> /bin/mke2fs -c /dev/hda2                   |
|          |                  |bash> /bin/e2fsck /dev/hda2                      |
+----------+------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
|1999-11-02|Partition 3       |tomsrtbt-1.6.335 (linux-2.0.35)                  |
|          |Filesystem        |bash> /bin/mkswap -c /dev/hda3                   |
+----------+------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
|1999-11-01|Partition 4       |D:                                               |
|          |Filesystem        |FAT32                                            |
|          |                  |                                                 |
|          |                  |[[My Computer]] {(D:)} [Format ...] [Format type\|
|          |                  |Full] [Start]                                    |
|          |                  |[Close]                                          |
|          |                  |                                                 |
|          |                  |ScanDisk reported no errors in a thorough test.  |
+----------+------------------+-------------------------------------------------+

Software

+----+----------+-------+
|Date|Parameter |Action |
+----+----------+-------+
+----+----------+-------+
Table of Contents 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendices

Frequently Asked Questions

After running fips, why does Windows report that I still have only one
partition?

Windows 98 does not recognize the effect of fips-0.9e.  fips-2.0 has
successfully been used to split a Windows98 partition.  According to an
unreliable source, Windows 98 reads partition data from the first 512 bytes
of the partition itself and considers this more reliable data than the
partition table.

Why does my tool report an error that physical length does not match the
logical length of the partition?

This means that the partition table is inconsistent, and may be inaccurate. 
Modifying a disk with an inaccurate partition table usually requires an
expert to reduce the almost certain chance of data loss.

The severity of this message is dependent on the size of the disk.  Due to
historical limitations, most (but not all) computer BIOSs only support disks
with less than 1024 cylinders.  Booting the operating system depends on the 
bios, therefore (on such systems), the entire operating system must fit
within this 1024 cylinders..  For the same historical reasons, the partition
table format only supports reporting disk sizes of 1024 or less cylinders. 
Many disks today have more than 1024 physical cylinders but by convention the
partition table records exactly 1024 cylinders.  The operating system still
needs to know where the actual partitions begin an end beyond the first 1024
cylinders and this is recorded in the partition table.

A large disk with more than 1024 cylinders will have a logical size (sum of
partition sizes) that exceeds 1024 and matches the actual size, though the
partition table reports a physical size of exactly 1024 cylinders.  In the
case of a large disk, this message is essentially useless.

How do I know what version of Windows I have?

One or more of the following should tell you what version of Windows you
have.

  * C:\>ver
  * {My Compuer} [Properties] [General]
  * [Start] [Run...] Open: command [OK]
  * [Start\Run...] Open: ver [OK]
  * [Start\Run...] Open: cmd ver [OK]

How do I know what version of linux kernel I have?

bash> uname -a

How do I know what version of linux distribution I have?

The question may have no meaningful answer.  Since unix dialects (e.g. linux)
use many interchangeable parts, it makes little difference to this HOWTO what
distribution you have.  The applications loaded on most linux hosts varies
with time and the tastes of the owner, so that they seldom match any
distribution for more than a very brief period.

Most distributions are loosely classed by the package manager that they use.

  * pkgtool - slackware
  * rpm - RedHat

bash> uname -a

If I make a mistake can I start over?

In general, no.  For this reason, meticuluous care is required, especially at
certain stages.  Some of the operations are idempotent. An idempotent
operation is one which either fails and has no effect, or succeeds and has no
effect after its first success.  Some of the operations are reversible.  A
reversible operation has an inverse operation so that you can return things
to what they were and start over.

Formatting is especially dangerous because it is neither idempotent nor
reversible.  If formatting succeeds, the original data is lost.  If
formatting fails, the original data is probably lost (since indices are
usually destroyed early).
 
+-----------+----------+----------+---------+-------------------------------+
| Operation |Idempotent|Reversible| Inverse |            Caveat             |
|           |          |          |Operation|                               |
+-----------+----------+----------+---------+-------------------------------+
|Backup     |Yes       |Yes       |Destroy  |Try reading the backup lest it |
|           |          |          |the      |be corrupt                     |
|           |          |          |backup   |                               |
+-----------+----------+----------+---------+-------------------------------+
|Catalog    |Yes       |Yes       |Destroy  |Record too many details since  |
|           |          |          |the      |only 1-10% will ever be used,  |
|           |          |          |catalog  |though it is hard to predict   |
|           |          |          |         |which 1-10%.                   |
+-----------+----------+----------+---------+-------------------------------+
|Attach     |No        |Yes       |Disattach|Use electrostatic protection   |
|           |          |          |the      |and personal safety procedures |
|           |          |          |devices  |lest the delicate components or|
|           |          |          |         |yuurself be damaged physically.|
+-----------+----------+----------+---------+-------------------------------+
|Compact    |Yes       |No        |         |Repair filesystem errors before|
|           |          |          |         |compacting, since recovery will|
|           |          |          |         |probably be impossible after   |
|           |          |          |         |compacting.                    |
+-----------+----------+----------+---------+-------------------------------+
|Repartition|Yes       |Yes       |Record   |Carefully check the            |
|           |          |          |the      |partitioning before using the  |
|           |          |          |starting |computer, since applications   |
|           |          |          |table    |will believe the partition     |
|           |          |          |Reenter  |table and may destroy files.  A|
|           |          |          |the      |small error in partition       |
|           |          |          |recorded |borders or lengths may cause   |
|           |          |          |starting |infrequent disk errors that are|
|           |          |          |table    |not seen for months, but can   |
|           |          |          |         |become very time-consuming.    |
+-----------+----------+----------+---------+-------------------------------+
|Format     |No        |No        |         |All data in the partition is   |
|           |          |          |         |destroyed so make sure that    |
|           |          |          |         |there is no useful information |
|           |          |          |         |in the partition and/or that   |
|           |          |          |         |the data is in a good backup.  |
+-----------+----------+----------+---------+-------------------------------+
|Initial    |Yes       |Yes       |Format   |Carefully record, test, and    |
|Program    |          |          |the      |expect to change the           |
|Load       |          |          |partition|configuration of linux as your |
|           |          |          |         |understanding, needs, and      |
|           |          |          |         |desires change.  As you use    |
|           |          |          |         |your computer, you can expect  |
|           |          |          |         |to quickly find that you wish  |
|           |          |          |         |you'd made different           |
|           |          |          |         |configuration decisions.  Most |
|           |          |          |         |linux distributions allow easy |
|           |          |          |         |reconfiguration of a running   |
|           |          |          |         |system.                        |
+-----------+----------+----------+---------+-------------------------------+
|Boot       |Yes       |No        |         |Windows installation overwrites|
|Manager    |          |          |         |the boot manager with one that |
|           |          |          |         |loads Windows automatically.   |
|           |          |          |         |If you isntall Windows+linux,  |
|           |          |          |         |you must installl Windows      |
|           |          |          |         |first.                         |
+-----------+----------+----------+---------+-------------------------------+
|Mount      |Yes       |Yes       |Unmount  |Care with permissions is needed|
|           |          |          |         |to prevent undesired use of the|
|           |          |          |         |computer (e.g. openning your   |
|           |          |          |         |telephone to anyone on your    |
|           |          |          |         |cable modem network may tend to|
|           |          |          |         |increase your phone bills.).   |
+-----------+----------+----------+---------+-------------------------------+
 

How large should my swap partition be?

Swap partition size (or even its existence) is a hotly debated issue beyond
the scope of this HOWTO.  Many books on performanc tuning provide guidelines
on swap partition size and how to recognize a need to expand or shrink it. 
At press time, the author recommends 64M as a safe size.
 

Should I add package xxx?

A reader of this HOWTO presumably wants to benefit from the strengths of both
Windows and linux, and suffer the shortcomings of neither.

Most linux distributions allow you to cleanly remove any package.  unix
dialects support permissions so that each package gets a well defined share
of the computer and this share can be identified and taken back in its
entirety.  unix dialects support symbolic links so that the package can
appear to be in a convenient place without actually occupying space from the
convenient place.  The distributions that do not support easy removal are
usually tiny specialized distributions like tomsrtbt.  The risk that an
unwanted  package will plague your linux indefinitely is small since you can
remove it at any time.

Most Windows packages can never be uninstalled cleanly under Windows, as they
usually leave dll updates and registry entries.  It is therefore important to
add packages only when you are sure that you need them, since your only way
of removing them may be to reinstall Windows and every package that you want.

Sharing a machine between Windows and linux, means that linux can aid clean
removal of packages from Windows.  Since it only identifies but does not
predict, linux cannot insure clean removal.  Since linux find resolves to the
second rather than Windows find to the day, it can much more accurately
identify what was changed.

 1. Record the date and time before you install a package to Windows.
 2. Install the package.
 3. Record the date and time after you install the package.
 4. Under linux, use touch to create a file timestamped at the start of
    installation.
 5. Under linux, use touch to create a file timestamped at the end of
    installation.
 6. Under linux, use find to identify every Windows file and folder that was
    altered during installation.
 7. Store the list of altered files and folders to identify what has to be
    removed or restored.

Table of Contents 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Caveats

There ar no caveats at press time.  Please contact the maintainer with any
suggestions that you have.

Table of Contents 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tips and Tricks

There ar no tips and tricks at press time.  Please contact the maintainer
with any suggestions that you have.

Table of Contents 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reference

Legend

 
+------+-------------------------+------------------------------------------+
|Symbol|         Meaning         |                 Example                  |
+------+-------------------------+------------------------------------------+
|[...] |Left-click a button      |[File/Close] appears in most X            |
|      |                         |applications.                             |
|      |                         |[OK] appears in most Windows dialogs      |
+------+-------------------------+------------------------------------------+
|[[..]]|Double-left click a      |[[My Computer]] displays the devices of a |
|      |button                   |Windows systems                           |
+------+-------------------------+------------------------------------------+
|{...} |Right-click a button     |{My Computer\Properties} displays the     |
|      |                         |configuration of a Windows system         |
+------+-------------------------+------------------------------------------+
|...   |Walk a hierarchy         |linux uses / to delimit elements in       |
|\...  |in a menu or filesystem  |hierarchies.                              |
|...   |                         |Windows uses \ to delimit element in      |
|/...  |                         |hierarchies.                              |
+------+-------------------------+------------------------------------------+
|bash> |Enter instructions into a|bash> uname -a                            |
|...   |bash-style shell         |returns linux kernel version information  |
+------+-------------------------+------------------------------------------+
|A:\>  |Enter instruction snto   |[Start\Run...] Open: command [OK]         |
|...   |dos shell                |C:\> ver                                  |
|C:\>  |                         |returns Windows version information       |
|...   |                         |                                          |
+------+-------------------------+------------------------------------------+
|(uc)  |under construction       |Incomplete section of this HOWTO          |
+------+-------------------------+------------------------------------------+
|<...> |replace with indicated   |Enter First Name: <your first name>       |
|      |value                    |                                          |
+------+-------------------------+------------------------------------------+
Table of Contents 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Glossary

Bios

A bios (Basic Input/Output System) is a small operating system supplied with
and usually encoded in the computer hardware.  The bios is often little more
than is needed to load and run the operating system normally used.  Most
BIOSs at press time reside in shadow ram which is electronically removed from
the computer once the normal operating system is loaded and starts running.

Boot Manager

See Master Boot Record..

Defragmenting

See Repartitioning.

Disk

A disk is a physical storage medium.  A disk must be formatted before data on
the disk is accessible.  A municipal library building is a good model of a
disk.  The building itslf has a fixed volume and can therefore hold a fixed
number of books.  The largest number of books can be stored by simply dumping
them inside the building, but the result would simply be a big trash pile and
the books would not be available for use.  In order to use the books, they
are placed on bookshelves so they can be accessed.  Placing the equivalent of
bookshelves on the disk is called formatting.
 
+-------------------+-------------------------------------------------------+
|     component     |                        analog                         |
+-------------------+-------------------------------------------------------+
|disk               |municipal library building                             |
+-------------------+-------------------------------------------------------+
|format             |bookshelves                                            |
+-------------------+-------------------------------------------------------+
 

Filesystems

See Partition

Format

See Disk

Formatting

See Repartitioning.   Though beyond the scope of this HOWTO, low-level
formatting refers to the phsyical division of the magnetic media into
magnetic domains similar to applying the bias to magnetic tape.
 

Master Boot Record

Each bootable partition has firmware that runs in the bios.  This firmware
historically occupies the 446 bytes before the partition table.  A simple
master boot record simply copies the operating system from the media into
memory and turns computer control over to the operating system.

At power up, cold boot, or warm boot, the bios searches the computer storage
media until it finds a master boot record which it then executes it.  The
search locations and order differ between different bioses.  Often the search
order is configuratble with firmware encoded in the computer hardware with
the bios. The most common search order is floppy, cdrom, network, usb disk,
scsi disk, ide disk.

A more complex master boot record, called a boot manager, loads a program
into memory that gives the user an opportunity to select which operating
system to load.
 

Operating System

An operating system is firmware that supports effective computter use.  As an
allocator, the operating system verifies that only one process at a time
controls the cpu , disk, write access to a file, and other unshareable
resources.  As a toolkit, the operating system provides a set of software
pieces for common functions (e.g. reading from a file, writing to the
screen).  As a virtual machine, the operating system makes the physical
computer behave like another well-specified computer, so that software can be
written once for the well-specified computer and then run on many physical
computers with compatible operating systems.  As an allocator, the operating
system is like the staff that schedules the use of meeting rooms in the
library.  As a toolkit, the operating system is like the library staff that
reshelves books or the library copier.  As a virtual machine, the operating
system is like one of the many libraries that endeaver to look like the U.S.
Library of Congress with vertical bookshelves, a circular reference desk, and
a lobby area with indices.  A patron entering any such library finds the
layout familiar, and one patron can give usable directions to a patron of a
different library.

  * Allocator
  * Toolkit
  * Virtual Machine

 
+---------------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
|               component               |              analog               |
+---------------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
|operating system                       |llibrary staff                     |
+---------------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

 Partition

A disk is a physical portion of a disk.  A filesystem is a map between
addresses and files accessed on the disk.  Most libraries are divided into
floors or sections, such as Adult Fiction, Reference, and Juvenile
Non-Fiction.  Each section usually has its own card catalog and often
different sections use different schemes.  Adult Fiction is usually indexed
by Author Name.  Reference is usually indexed by Subject.  There are even
competing indexing schemes for the same section such as Dewey Decimal or
Library of Congress.
 
+------------------+--------------------------------------------------------+
|    component     |                         analog                         |
+------------------+--------------------------------------------------------+
|partition         |library building floor                                  |
+------------------+--------------------------------------------------------+
|filesystem        |indexing scheme and card catalog                        |
+------------------+--------------------------------------------------------+
 

Partition Table

Every disk has a partition table stored in a standard location and in a
standard format on the disk.  The partition table describes where each 
partition begins and ends on the disk.  The partition table also describes
what filesystem is used in each partition.  The partition table is like the
wall map that usually appears at the entry to any library.  This wall map
tells where each section (e.g. Reference, Adult Fiction, Juvenile
Non-fiction) is located and how the books are shelved (e.g. Title, Author,
Dewey Decimal)
 
+-----------------------------------+---------------------------------------+
|             component             |                analog                 |
+-----------------------------------+---------------------------------------+
|partition table                    |library floor map                      |
+-----------------------------------+---------------------------------------+

 Repartitioning

Before defragmenting, the index (I), active files (A) and deleted files (d)
are distributed across the partition.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
|I|I|d|A|d|d|d|d|d|d|d|d|A|A|d|d|d|d|d|d|A|A|A|d|d|A| | | | |
'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'
After defragmenting, the index(I), and active files (A) are concentrated. 
Some deleted files (d) are lost.  Some space formerly occupied by active
files become lost (l).
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
|I|I|A|A|A|A|A|A|A|d|d|d|l|l|d|d|d|d|d|d|l|l|l|d|d|l| | | | |
'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'
After splitting, no active data is lost, and a new partition appears that is
not yet formatted.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
|I|I|A|A|A|A|A|A|A|d|
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
|d|d|l|l|d|d|d|d|d|d|l|l|l|d|d|l| | | | |
'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'
After repartitioning, the new partition is further split.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
|I|I|A|A|A|A|A|A|A|d|
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|d|d|l|l|d|d|d|d|d|d|
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|l|l|l|d|d|l| | | | |
'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'
After formatting, each formatted partition has an empty filesystem. (e.g.
dos6 (I, A), ext2 (N, A), vfat (V, A)).
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
|I|I|A|A|A|A|A|A|A|d|
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|N| |N| | | | | | | |
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|V|V|V| | | | | | | |
'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'

Splitting

See Repartitioning.
 

Winmodem

Winmodems are a class of devices including winprinters, winscanners. 
Winmodems are a subset of the class of devices that achieve low-cost by
replacing hardware in their convential equivalents with firmware run by the
host.  The drawback of these devices is that their dependence on the host
usually slows or prohibits other operations simultaneously on the host.

By analogy low-cost headlights for an automobile might consist of a
flashlight atop a battery tray that sits in the front passenger seat.  To use
the headlights, you must start the car, remove the battery from the car, and
install the car battery in the flashlight tray.  The headlight cost is
reduced by the cost of the solenoid, dashboard switch,  wiring, and fuses. 
If you use the headlights, the limitations mean that you can't carry a front
passenger, you can't restart the car, you can't use the car radio, and the
fuel guage reads empty.

Winmodems are distinct from the slightly larger class of these low-cost
devices by the fact that they use proprietary firmware included in the
Windows operating system.  In the United States, it is illegal to sell
firmware to use this proprietary firmware without Microsoft consent.  At
press time, the price of Microsoft consent is only slightly less than the
cost of a convential device.

Table of Contents 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bibliography

+-------------+-------------+-----------------------------------------------+
|    Work     |  Publisher  |                    Source                     |
+-------------+-------------+-----------------------------------------------+
|DosLinux     |             |Small linux distribution installed on an       |
|             |             |existing Dos system i.e. msdos, pcdos, opendos,|
|             |             |and win95/98.                                  |
|             |             |http://www.linux.org/dist/                     |
+-------------+-------------+-----------------------------------------------+
|e2fsck       |             |ext2 filesystem checker                        |
|             |             |Included in tomsrtbt                           |
+-------------+-------------+-----------------------------------------------+
|fdisk        |             |Partition table editor                         |
|             |             |Included in most linux distributions (e.g.     |
|             |             |tomsrtbt, Slackware)                           |
|             |             |ftp://ftp.rge.com/pub/systems/linux/slackware/ |
|             |             |slakware/a14/util.tgz                          |
+-------------+-------------+-----------------------------------------------+
|fips         |             |Partition Splitter                             |
|             |             |ftp://sunsite.icm.edu.pl/pub/Linux/            |
|             |             |sunsite.unc.edu/system/installl/               |
+-------------+-------------+-----------------------------------------------+
|format       |Microsoft    |Windows Partition Fromatter                    |
|             |             |Included in Windows 95/98/NT                   |
+-------------+-------------+-----------------------------------------------+
|Ghost        |Norton       |Windows Partition Backup                       |
|             |             |http://www.norton.com/sabu/ghost/              |
+-------------+-------------+-----------------------------------------------+
|Hardware     |             |compilation of linux support experience        |
|Compatibility|             |  what works, what doesn't,                    |
|HOWTO        |             |http://howto.linuxberg.com/LDP/HOWTO/          |
|             |             |Hardware-HOWTO.html                            |
|             |             |If the product manufacturer does not support   |
|             |             |linux,                                         |
|             |             |  it may be several months before user         |
|             |             |experience is reported                         |
+-------------+-------------+-----------------------------------------------+
|lilo         |             |Simple text configuratble boot manager         |
+-------------+-------------+-----------------------------------------------+
|mke2fs       |             |ext2 filesystem creator                        |
|             |             |Included in tomsrtbt                           |
+-------------+-------------+-----------------------------------------------+
|mkswap       |             |swap filesystem creator                        |
|             |             |Include in tomsrtbt                            |
+-------------+-------------+-----------------------------------------------+
|System       |O'Reiley &   |by Mike Loukides                               |
|Performance  |Associates,  |ISBN 0-937175-60-9                             |
|Tuning       |Inc.         |http://www.ora.com/catalog/spt/                |
+-------------+-------------+-----------------------------------------------+
|tob          |             |Unix Tape-Oriented Backup                      |
|             |             |http://metabab.unc.edu/pub/Linux/system/backup/|
+-------------+-------------+-----------------------------------------------+
|tomsrtbt     |Toms Ochser  |Tom's Root Boot                                |
|             |             |Small Linux distribution that fits on a single |
|             |             |floppy disk                                    |
|             |             |t's useful as a root/boot/recovery disk        |
|             |             |http://www.tux.org/pub/distributions/tinylinux/|
|             |             |tomsrtbt/                                      |
+-------------+-------------+-----------------------------------------------+
|vmware       |VMware, Inc. |x86 emulation                                  |
|             |             |http://www.vmware.com/                         |
+-------------+-------------+-----------------------------------------------+
|yast         |SuSE GmbH    |Yet another Setup Tool                         |
|             |             |Suse System Configuration Tool                 |
|             |             |http://newton.ikp.physik.tu-darmstadt.de/doc/  |
|             |             |susehilf/pak_e/paket_yast.html                 |
+-------------+-------------+-----------------------------------------------+
Table of Contents 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

This HOWTO

The purpose of this copyright and license is to promote distribution and use
limited only by accuracy.  Your experience and modifications are requested
for distribution.  Please submit them to the maintainer.

Copyright

    Copyright (c) 1999 by Dr. Robert J. Meier. This document may be
    distributed only subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the LDP
    License, except that this document must not be distributed in modified
    form without the author's consent.

      LINUX DOCUMENTATION PROJECT LICENSE (LDPL) v2.0, 12 January 1998       
                                                                             
COPYRIGHT
   
    The copyright to each Linux Documentation Project (LDP) document is owned
    by its author or authors.
   
    LICENSE
   
    The following license terms apply to all LDP documents, unless otherwise
    stated in the document. The LDP documents may be reproduced and
    distributed in whole or in part, in any medium physical or electronic,
    provided that this license notice is displayed in the reproduction.
    Commercial redistribution is permitted and encouraged. Thirty days
    advance notice via email to the author(s) of redistribution is
    appreciated, to give the authors time to provide updated documents.
    REQUIREMENTS OF MODIFIED WORKS
       
        All modified documents, including translations, anthologies, and
        partial documents, must meet the following requirements:
         1. The modified version must be labeled as such.
         2. The person making the modifications must be identified.
         3. Acknowledgement of the original author must be retained.
         4. The location of the original unmodified document be identified.
         5. The original author's (or authors') name(s) may not be used to
            assert or imply endorsement of the resulting document without the
            original author's (or authors') permission.
        In addition it is requested that:
         1. The modifications (including deletions) be noted.
         2. The author be notified by email of the modification in advance of
            redistribution, if an email address is provided in the document.
        As a special exception, anthologies of LDP documents may include a
        single copy of these license terms in a conspicuous location within
        the anthology and replace other copies of this license with a
        reference to the single copy of the license without the document
        being considered "modified" for the purposes of this section.
       
        Mere aggregation of LDP documents with other documents or programs on
        the same media shall not cause this license to apply to those other
        works.
       
        All translations, derivative documents, or modified documents that
        incorporate any LDP document may not have more restrictive license
        terms than these, except that you may require distributors to make
        the resulting document available in source format.
       
        LDP documents are available in source format via the LDP home page at
        http://sunsite.unc.edu/LDP/.
       
   
Table of Contents 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Submission of Errors, Omissions, and Modifications

No contact is required to use this HOWTO, but the maintainer would appreciate
hearing from you.  When you find anything missing or in error in this HOWTO,
please send email to the maintainer.  Please include Re:Linux+Windows-Howto
in the subject followed by one of the keywords below.  Please include your
email address or other contact information if you are interested in a reply
or if you are willing to provide further details.
 
+------------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
|Keyword for |                             Body                             |
|  subject   |                                                              |
+------------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
|Usage       |How did you use this HOWTO?  What was your situation?  Which  |
|            |character did you use?                                        |
+------------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
|Error       |What is incorrect?  Do you have a solution?  Do you know who  |
|            |has the solution?                                             |
+------------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
|Missing     |What question wasn't answered?  Do you know the answer?  Do   |
|            |you know who has the answer?                                  |
+------------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
|Experience  |What are details of your system before?  after?  What exactly |
|            |did you do?  What worked?  What didn't work?                  |
+------------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
Table of Contents 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Future Work

The following are enhancements planned for this HOWTO.

  * Split out maintenance record format as separate HOWTO.
  * Write Open Software Distribution Standard as HOWTO and reference.

 Table of Contents 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Revision History

+----------------+----------------------------------------------------------+
|     Author     |                         Contacts                         |
+----------------+----------------------------------------------------------+
|Jonathan Katz   |mailto:jkatz@in.net                                       |
+----------------+----------------------------------------------------------+
|Dr. Robert J.   |mailto:robert.meier@fanucrobotics.com?subject=            |
|Meier           |Re%3ALinux%2BWindows%2DHOWTO                              |
|Maintainer      |                                                          |
+----------------+----------------------------------------------------------+
 
+----------+-----------------------+----------------------------------------+
|   Date   |        Author         |                 Change                 |
+----------+-----------------------+----------------------------------------+
|1995-11-??|Jonathan Katz          |Wrote Linux+Win95                       |
+----------+-----------------------+----------------------------------------+
|1999-10-21|Dr. Robert J. Meier    |First draft of Linux+Windows-HOWTO      |
+----------+-----------------------+----------------------------------------+
Table of Contents 
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