* s swami <sns(a)paradise.net.nz> [2004-04-17 05:47]:
I have installed Linux on a free partition and then ended up not being able to boot into Windows 9X (I overwrote the MBR). Another time, I wasn't able to boot into Linux (lilo wasn't playing with me - more likely I didn't know the rules of the game). In both cases, I had backups, and the HD could be and was wiped.[1]
Win9x/ME boot from their partitions' boot sector. If you install Windows first, then Linux afterwards, you can and should install LILO to MBR. With the appropriate bootmenu entries you can boot Win9x without any problems. The problem is reinstalling Win9x: it will overwrite the MBR uninvited and lock you out of Linux. This is trivial to fix with *any* Linux boot media on hand, though.
With the better-behaved W2K, things are easier.
IME, WinNT derivatives are harder to get to play along. In case of a WinNT-derived OS I'd rather install LILO to the Linux partition bootsector and then go through the contortions necessary to make the Windows bootloader offer Linux on its menu. This is a lot more work than with Win9x.
At times it is better to suggest that the newbie wait and use Knoppix instead. If he can't wait, he will find a way to meet the requirements.
For sure it is better for people to use a LiveCD to get their first impression before they decide to go whole hog. This is something that should be suggested *before* the installfest though, so you don't get a flood of people carrying their computer in just to be sent home with a Knoppix CD -- a waste of everyone's time and the novice's effort.
Whatever requirements that the installers settle on, it may be better to state them simply (_not_ as ominous warnings) on all publicity and confirm verbally before the install rather than asking for a signature. Signatures would take the festival out of the install-fest.
Should any user get upset about his loss of data and make claims, however, that confirmation will be as good as no confirmation at all. The signature is necessary, there's no way around this. Of course there is no need to raise panic. Indeed, it is likely that noone will have any troubles -- but it's better to be safe than sorry. Both for the user, who should have backups, and for the WLUG, which should have signatures. At the installfest organized by my local LUG, resizing was not an option we offered, although those who came prepared for it would have been offered a dualboot installation. We also required people to sign that any damage would be their own liability. In the end, noone had any trouble, and the few who got a dualboot install came with an extra HD to dedicate to Linux. -- Regards, Aristotle "If you can't laugh at yourself, you don't take life seriously enough."