Dual-booting with a Linux Lenovo Thinkpad

Dual-booting with a Linux Lenovo Thinkpad

If I start with a machine which is Linux-only -- e.g. the new Lenovo Thinkpad with Linux pre-installed -- will I be able to retrofit it to dual-boot Windows XP?

    Requires Free Membership to View

    Login

    When you register, my team of editors will also send you resources covering Linux administration and management; integration and interoperability between Linux, Windows and Unix; securing Linux and mixed-platform environments; and migrating to Linux.

    Margie Semilof, Editorial Director

    By submitting your registration information to SearchEnterpriseLinux.com you agree to receive email communications from TechTarget and TechTarget partners. We encourage you to read our Privacy Policy which contains important disclosures about how we collect and use your registration and other information. If you reside outside of the United States, by submitting this registration information you consent to having your personal data transferred to and processed in the United States. Your use of SearchEnterpriseLinux.com is governed by our Terms of Use. You may contact us at webmaster@TechTarget.com.

Yes. In contrast to Linux, Windows does not play nicely with other operating systems present on the same partition. Windows will blithely install its own boot loader on top of any pre-existing one you are using. For this reason, Windows needs to be installed first, followed by the less destructive Linux installs.

In this case, back up your data, locate the Lenovo system restore CD, repartition the disk, install Windows, and then re-install Linux.

This was first published in November 2006

Back to top