This would be my first time trying out linux to see how good it is. I have all 3 Mandrake 9.0 CDs ready for install but before I install them I have a couple quick questions that I'd like to clear to avoid any possibility of a problem.
Question 1: If I were to create a new partition on my HD, is there any way possible in the setup to setup linux on that new partition?
Question 2: If possible to install Mandrake Linux to the new partition, could it run as a seperate OS and not conflict with the boot sector of WindowsXP Professional? Because from what I've heard from friend's experiences with installing linux in the past, is that it sometimes messes up the boot portion of windows and messes up your windows partition. Would there be any risk that Mandrake Linux 9.0 would mess up bootup so that I would not get the Dualboot screen on bootup and could not choose which OS to boot from on bootup (the screen where you get the choice between WINXP Pro or Mandrake9 on bootup).
I'd like to know the answers to these questions before I go ahead and install Linux because I'd rather be safe than sorry.