I want to Triple Boot

Right now I just have Ubuntu 6.10 and want to add Backtrack 2 Linux and Windows XP. Backtrack needs 2.7Gb but I want to give it say an extra half a gig of space incase I need to download. Windows needs 30 GB. How would I go about partitioning and Installing. I already have Ubuntu and GRUB, so what next? Thanks!

 

You'll find some tips here.

Basically, install XP first, because it nukes your MBR without asking first. Then BackTrack may or may not install GRUB again for you. If not, you'd have to run the Ubuntu LiveCD to restore GRUB to its former glory.

 

for partitioning, you should be able to share home directories between the two Linux distros.

 

But I want to keep my Ubuntu. Can I back it up to multiple DVDs and then restore it the way it was? Is there a way to Install XP as is and then Backtrack 2 restoring GRUB?

 

Sure... here are directions:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RecoveringUbuntuAfterInstallingWindows

 

Sorry, I should have been more specific. You install Windows with what you have now. It'll get you a booting Windows and a non-bootable Ubuntu. Then you install Backtrack, and pray it fixes everything. This is all after backup/partitioning of course.

 

Okay, thank you. However, what should I use to partition?

 

Partition Magic might work, but I believe you might have to pay for that. Some other users might be able to help you better. I don't dual boot, so Im not well versed on the resizing/rearranging of partitions.

 

http://gparted.sourceforge.net/livecd.php

You simply boot from this CD as you did with Ubuntu (it's a LiveCD) the same that Ubuntu is. From there, click the Partition Manager and make your partitions as you wish.

 

Okay, well apparently BackTrack 2 is SLAX which uses LILO. What order should I install these OSs?

 

Okay, I installed XP first then Ubuntu. I now have a functioning Dual Boot. However, Backtrack 2 uses LILO. How would I go on installing this and either use LILO or restore GRUB. Thanks!

 

You can install LILO and not have to worry if you want. Or you can revert back to grub by using the Ubuntu disk again. It doesnt matter which you use, both of them will see all 3 of your OS's.

Or you can be crazy and install LILO and link it to GRUB....and then have a link in GRUB back to LILO.....Heh heh

 

Okay, thanks for your quick response.

 

I tend to prefer grub as it's easier to change the configuration (edit a single file, rather than having to edit a file, then reinstall the loader). But both work quite well.

 

Well, I installed everything but LILO didn't give me options so I went back and restored GRUB but it doesn't recognize Backtrack 2.

Is there someplace where I can manually edit it in. Backtrack 2 is located at hda4.

 

yeah... /boot/grub/menu.lst

you might want to google something on the actual syntax so you don't make something explode

 

Can anyone help me make it not explode?

 

Okay, I tried

title Backtrack
root (hd0,3)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz rw root=/dev/hda

and got

Kernel Panic - Not Syncing
VFS:Unable to mount root fs on unknown-block(3,0)

 

it might not be that the actual root partition is the fourth.

 

I fixed it. I changed hda to sda. Yay!

Here's my final menu.lst

## ## End Default Options ##

title Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.17-11-generic
root (hd0,1)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.17-11-generic root=/dev/sda2 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.17-11-generic
quiet
savedefault
boot

title Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.17-11-generic (recovery mode)
root (hd0,1)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.17-11-generic root=/dev/sda2 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.17-11-generic
boot

title Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.17-10-generic
root (hd0,1)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.17-10-generic root=/dev/sda2 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.17-10-generic
quiet
savedefault
boot

title Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.17-10-generic (recovery mode)
root (hd0,1)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.17-10-generic root=/dev/sda2 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.17-10-generic
boot

title Ubuntu, memtest86+
root (hd0,1)
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin
quiet
boot

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST

# This is a divider, added to separate the menu items below from the Debian
# ones.
title Other operating systems:
root


# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for a non-linux OS
# on /dev/sda1
title Microsoft Windows XP Professional
root (hd0,0)
savedefault
makeactive
chainloader +1

title BackTrack v2.0
root (hd0,3)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz rw root=/dev/sda4