I have windows XP Pro on one hard drive and I just got a new 40 GB hard drive for which I would like to install my FreeBSD 4.4. I would like to keep my Win hard drive my priary but would like to use the command prompt and features of FreeBSD 4.4. Is there a way I could switch from one hard drive to another?
or use Linux, this tutorial gives you an idea http://pcquest.ciol.com/cgi-bin/printer.asp?id=15488
dual boot with Lilo or Grub is straightforward.
Bootloaders like pabloj said where probably the answer you where looking for.
however, a related product that might be of interest is a device called Nicklock. It plugs into a 3.5" slot in front of your computer and it switches between two disks, making it possible to run two systems on the same computer but on different disks.
You use it like so; it holds jumpers on two separate cables. So you plug in the jumpers from the device to make both master. Then you use the key to switch off one of them. Now, you have one master which you can install whatever you want on. Then you turn the key to activate the other (and disabling the one you started with) and now you have a whole new masterdisk to install whatever you like to.
The big disadvantage is that you can't access the switched off harddrive after booting the other (obviosly). However, this might be what you want sometimes. Say you got kids that use Windows so they can play Tetris, but you don't want them snooping around your own BSD enviroment. Then this would be what you want. You just take out the key, and the kids cant switch systems... Well, at least not until they figure out that you can actually open the case of the computer hehe.
This is in swedish, but if you don't speak the language maybe the picture might help illustrate what I mean:
Actually, I am now using Virtual PC. This is perfect, I get to see both OSes at once.
>> This is perfect, I get to see both OSes at once
Yes, a perfect excuse. Apparently you can't ditch Windows. Why can't you just install FreeBSD cleanly and if you don't like it or not ready (likely) for it, just stick with Windows until you are really ready. Your kind of learning attitude toward BSD doesn't make you a BSD user, not even a newbie. So don't show off to your friends and say that you are a real man running a real OS.
FreeBSD, the reason I can't ditch Windows is because I have programs I need for work that can only run on Windows, as far as I know. So here you go, saying I am not a FreeBSD user or a newbie. Well no kinding, I just installed it and this is my first time outside of Windows. I have games that I don't know if they can run under FreeBSD so what do I have to do? Keep Windows.
I will admit it, you know more than I will ever learn probably. However, do I go around to the new people trying new things and say,
"Hey, your never going to get it doing it that way. DO IT MY WAY". How will I learn a completly new thing if I ditch everything and go with it. Isn't this like sending a 5 year old into space with nothing? The 5 year old may know a thing or two but can't survive without earth? Think about things. Haven't you heard the phrase,
"Put yourself in their shoes?" I don't put you on my ignore list as you are helpful once in a while, usually when you aren't saying,
"DO IT MY WAY."
>> can't ditch Windows is because I have programs I need for work
I too can't ditch Windows because it has been my desktop OS in the past, now and likely in the next 5 years.
You might think most of my replies to your messages were somewhat a personal attack against you. Honestly no. I only tell people (including you) what's the right things to do since I have gone thru all these for a while. I don't want you to waste your time like I did in the past, just to make your life easier.
Several of your threads were mention something about dualboot, how to get FreeBSD coexist on the same computer or so. All of these are very bad approach. You probably already read my posts against dualboot or so. Again, if you can afford a 40GB new disk, why can't you build a new box dedicated for just FreeBSD? Unlike WinXP which needs 512mb RAM and PII 350 or above to run smooth, FreeBSD runs fine with 64mb + P120. Why can't you afford that? Learning FreeBSD via Virtual PC is just a waste of your time.
Believe me, I won't tell people to take a direction to a deadend. When I say DO IT MY WAY, that's the right way to make your life easier.
I am also sorry ifmy post seemed harsh but it seems I am in a bad mood. The main reason I got FreeBSD is because most web applications use make and I heard *BSD is better than UNIX is some respects. I do have one question, I opted to have Apache installed when I first installed FreeBSD but I can't find where this is. I tried to use locate apache but I get an error, that says the /var/db/locate.database is too small. Where is the default place that Apache is installed? Or how can I make locate.database larger so I can find these things? I found a folder named apache-1.3.20 and I did a ls -F and I got files (I think) and they have "+" infront of them. My little couple page command sheet doesn't tell me what this "+" is. Also, when I do this ls -F command, sometimes there are too many files/folders that I can't see the upper half of the list. I know in MS-DOS you can put /p on the end, how I can I see the upper half?
FreeBSD, I see myself asking many questions, since I am a newbie to the actual OS. Some might seem a no brainer but I am asking for your's and other's help.
Unlike OpenBSD, Apache is not installed by default in FreeBSD. When it's not installed, you need to find a way to install it, either via package (precompiled binary) or ports collection (/usr/ports/www/apache13).
As for locate, its db is rebuilt weekly by default on FreeBSD.
If you need to update sooner, run a daily cronjob on it.
>> I heard *BSD is better than UNIX is some respects
Never forget that *BSDs are the Unix system. You seem can't learn anything, because I already posted it at http://forums.devshed.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=27263&forumid=31 .. Also, few people said it too. When will you start to listen? Once you listen and you will learn.
>>When will you start to listen?
Once people will stop jumping on my back when I ask for plain english.
Come on, you didn't ever listen in the first place. Take a look in my link above where I replied very nice in your post, which you still don't ever listen to my nice replied? Also, you don't ever bother to go to FreeBSD's website to learn more about it. Now, who's talking so you go figure it out..
>> Also, you don't ever bother to go to FreeBSD's website to learn more about it.
Hmmm... I would like to know how you would know that. I go there frequently as a matter of fact. I am one of those people who want two opions to make it a fact. One that is tech-language and the other semi-english.
>> I am one of those people who want two opions to make it a fact.
Actually, you can't have the two options for this.. Is FreeBSD a Unix?
There is no option for this kind of stuffs, which you still don't ever learn anything from freebsd.org. You must go to freebsd.org and learn first before ask for the second opinion or not understand.