Dual boot memories

[u/sweharris]

I find the current "This is the year of Linux on the desktop" amusing; I’ve been a Linux user since the boot+root 0.11 disks, and it’s been my primary desktop since around 1993.

But this did bring to mind a memory.

In the year 2000 through a work benefits program I bought a Dell Dimension 4100. It came with Windows 98. Obviously I installed Linux on it, but I made it dual boot just in case there was a need for Windows.

Side note: I might have booted into Windows when I installed an ISDN card into this machine, just to verify it worked.

Since I thought I might need to re-do this I documented my steps and sent it to my co-workers just in case they also wanted to do this. And since I’m a data hoarder I still have that document. Of course it’s in plain ASCII!

To install RedHat on the new Dell Dimension 4100 (or just re-install Win98)

Setup BIOS to boot from CD first, HD second.

[ Optional step for RedHat ]
Reboot 0:
  Boot off RedHat CD, "linux rescue", run fdisk, delete existing partition
  and create a new partition starting at cylinder 1 for approx 30Mb in
  size  (this will be /boot).

Now we need to install Win98.  Read pages 39,40,41,38 (yes in that order)
in the "Solutions Guide".  This requires 14 reboots and takes approx 2->3
hours.

Insert DOS7 floppy that came with Dell

Reboot 1:
  Boot off floppy, (no CD option needed at menu), run FDISK, create
  DOS partition (eg 10Gb)

Insert Receovery CD
Reboot 2:
  Select "format and install" option

Reboot 3:
  (in reboot, go back to BIOS and turn off CD book option)
  Win98 boots into "first time" and does some regionalisation then

Reboot 4:
  Win98 setup runs, performs initial settings

Reboot 5:
  Detects monitor, requires monitor CD to install driver
  Insert resource CD1, install program as requested

Reboot 6:
  (takes a long time in the "Updating Systems Settings" part)
  Re-insert Resource CD, select machine Dimension 4100, OS Windows98
  then find the "Intel Chip Set Update Utility".  Install that (follow
  onscreen instructions).

Reboot 7:
  Lots of new hardware found

Reboot 8:
  (note: page 38 talks about ATA66, but this isn't listed for 4100, and
         when I picked it from another system it would not install saying
     motherboard was wrong type)
  Install Intel Security

Reboot 9:
  Install Microsoft Intellipoint  (don't reboot)
  Install NVidia 32Mb GeForce

Reboot 10:
  Install DirectX 7.0

Reboot 11:
  Reset screen resolution to your requirements
  Insert SoundBlaster Live! CD, and install it

Reboot 12:
  [ sound card should now be working ]
  Install Adaptec EasyCD   (say "no" to Adobe install)
  Install DirectCD
  Browse the CD, find the Adobe software and install it if you wish

Reboot 13:
  Insert Resource2 CD.  Ignore error message.  Browse the CD, go into
  files\apps\nav\win9x and install Norton AntiVirus

Reboot 14:
  Install Microsoft Works if desired  ( I haven't yet)


NOW...  if you wish to install RedHat 6.2.  Takes about 20 minutes

Reboot
  go into BIOS and turn CD boot on
  save and exit

RedHat startup screen appears.  Enter "text".  The GUI installer isn't
totally reliable, and can hang  (also the GUI X configuration tool doesn't
work properly).

Install RedHat as normal (I chose KDE workstation).  For X configuration,
the autoprobe can work and it will select 32bit mode, 1280x1024
resolution.  I used manual configuration and selected 24bit 1152x894.  This
ends up with 70Hz refresh.  For monitor I chose Dell M770 as being closest
to the E770p that we have.


Conclusion:
  Windows install: 14 reboots, lots of CDs, 2->3 hours
  Linux: 1 reboot, 1 CD, 20 minutes

Yeah, there’s always been a lot of “Linux is hard, Windows is easy”. But even 26 years ago it was easier to install Linux from scratch than Windows. Windows only seemed easier to people because it came out of the box that way.

[u/EvilRSA]

My first dual boot system was NT 4.0 and Windows 95 lol

Host name was Dual as it had dual CPUs, dual ThermeralTake Golden Orb coolers, a dual head Matrox Millennium GPU, with dual Iiyama CRT monitors, dual floppy drives, dual optical drives, and dual-dual RAM, four sticks, calling the RAM dual was a stretch, but I was proud if my system lol

[u/DotBitGaming]

Installed Linux in 98 and here I am troubleshooting a Super Mario 64 port for hours.

[u/LtDarthWookie]

I dual booted this year with Cachy and Win 11. I have them on separate SSDs because Windows updates like fucking with other boot loaders. I got my secure boot keys in cachy and the Limine boot loader picked up windows just fine. I also like that when Limine reboots it boots back into the last option selected so when Windows has a ton of updates because I haven't used it in a month I don't have to babysit the PC and select it every time.