Installing GRUB and WINE?

[Justice M]

Hello.

I would like to dual-boot my Windows Vista Ultimate PC with Linux operating system. First off, I have the question, is it possible to dual-boot Linux AND Unix operating systems on my PC? How many OS can I boot?

Also, please provide me with a tutorial on how to do all this. I want to try out Ubuntu, Linspire, and Xandros Linux OS. I also want to be able to try out a Unix OS like PC-BSD to compare all them.

Of course I don't want to lose my Windows at the same time. Is this possible? If so, please help me install GRUB and WINE so that I can accomplish this.

[v0id]

Originally Posted by Justice M

I would like to dual-boot my Windows Vista Ultimate PC with Linux operating system. First off, I have the question, is it possible to dual-boot Linux AND Unix operating systems on my PC? How many OS can I boot?

Yes, you can have both multiple Unices and Linuces on your system. As a matter of fact, you can have all the systems you want.

Originally Posted by Justice M

Also, please provide me with a tutorial on how to do all this. I want to try out Ubuntu, Linspire, and Xandros Linux OS. I also want to be able to try out a Unix OS like PC-BSD to compare all them.

Check out the official manual, to see how to use GRUB.
http://www.gnu.org/software/grub/manual/grub.html

Originally Posted by Justice M

Of course I don't want to lose my Windows at the same time. Is this possible? If so, please help me install GRUB and WINE so that I can accomplish this.

Don't worry, you are not going to lose Windows. You'll have to re-partitionate your disk, so your Windows installation will maybe end up in having less space available than before.

[Justice M]

If I re-partitionate my disc, won't I have to reinstall Windows to do that?
Also, what is a good size for my experimenting? Do I have to have a partition set up for each distro I want to try out?

[v0id]

Originally Posted by Justice M

If I re-partitionate my disc, won't I have to reinstall Windows to do that?

No, you won't. You're able to re-partitionate your harddisk without losing your Windows installation. For Windows you'll probably need commercial applications for the purpose (like PartitionMagic,) and under Linux you can use some free open-source applications (like GParted.)

Originally Posted by Justice M

Also, what is a good size for my experimenting?

I think 10 or 20 gigabytes would be nice for experimenting and testing. You'll need to have some swap space as well.

Originally Posted by Justice M

Do I have to have a partition set up for each distro I want to try out?

Yes.

[Justice M]

I need programs to create partitions? I thought I could just right-click on my hard drive in Windows and set one up, or no?

And I really prefer free software. There's no open source partition software for Windows?

And finally, how would I create partitions of a USB flash drive?

[Tor]

The partition software in PCLinuxOS will repartition your hard drive without deleting anything. You might want to try that OS first (just to get your partitions in order).

[Justice M]

I think I saw an option from Ubuntu's installation CD that'll allow me to set up partitions. Should I do that as I boot Ubuntu Linux OS off of Ubuntu's installation CD or actually go ahead and set up partitions with my "master OS", Windows?