The Multi-Boot Configuration Handbook (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

So many operating systems, so little time. Plenty of people want to experiment with BeOS, Windows 2000, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, various Linux distributions, and other Intel-compatible systems. The problem is, most can't afford an extra computer for test-driving operating systems, and can't tolerate losing access to bread-and-butter applications (probably running on Windows 98 or Windows NT 4) either. Multiboot systems, which allow a user to choose which of several installed systems to run at start-up time, are the answer. The Multi-Boot Configuration Handbook spills the beans on getting more than one system to run on a given computer.

The book takes a very detailed look at what happens multiple operating systems are installed on a single computer, and offers explicit advice on how to get various combinations of systems to coexist peacefully. It also goes into considerable detail on the utilities for setting up multiple partitions (including Microsoft's Fdisk, Linux's fdisk, and PowerQuest's PartitionMagic) and others that manage the selection process. More importantly, The Multi-Boot Configuration Handbook explains the operational similarities and differences between almost a dozen popular operating systems, focusing especially on their file systems. Readers can learn which systems can access data on which other systems' partitions, and find out about utilities that work in multiple environments. With its extensive technical detail and solid grounding in the text's example experiments, this is the definitive work on building and maintaining a multiple-boot system. --David Wall

Topics covered: Creation, maintenance, and expansion of multiple-boot systems on Intel-compatible personal computers. The attractions of multiboot systems, utilities for disk partitioning and system selection, and the process of installing various operating systems consecutively are explained. The also book outlines the differences and similarities in operating systems' file systems and other infrastructure, plus utilities and adapters that allow diverse systems to share files and otherwise work together.

Product Description

The Multi-Boot Configuration Handbook provides guidance to installing two or more OSes on a single computer. This book explains why things work the way they do and gives examples of real-world experience in using multiple operating systems in harmony with one another. You'll be able to coax several OSes into coexisting on one computer. You'll also understand something more about the basics of how a PC operates. See how to avoid the frustration of installing multiple operation systems. The Multi-Boot Configuration Handbook provides a guide to the intricacies of installing and maintaining a multi-OS computer.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 672 pages
• Publisher: Que (April 8, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789722836
• ISBN-13: 978-0789722836
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,227,625 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sets the standard and merits space on your book shelf!, June 1, 2000

By	Richard Bejtlich "TaoSecurity.com" (Metro Washington, DC) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I eagerly anticipated the release of this book after Rod mentioned it on Usenet news. I was not disappointed, but I hope the following needs will be addressed in the 2d edition (which would get 5 stars). I loved seeing Windows NT/2000, Linux, FreeBSD, and BeOS covered, but I missed Solaris x86, the last of the "Big Five" OS' (in my opinion). I needed more information on exactly how to place certain boot-related files below the 1024th cylinder, and which files those might be. Actual examples, maybe from Rod's own multi-OS machine, of working directory layouts (on the CD, perhaps) would have helped. (To me, this is the most frustrating and potentially crippling aspect of multi-booting.) Also, coverage of multi-booting on laptops is needed. Many business professionals require such features when doing demos or other work. On the positive side, the book is unique, offering unparalleled attention to detail (defining every important term and acronym). Multi-booting is thoroughly covered, with lots of detail given to partitions, OS boot requirements, and related info. I learned a lot more than multi-OS operations, thanks to Rod's extensive knowledge of computing in general. I highly recommend this book and would love to see a newsgroup... Thanks Rod!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very useful indeed., May 13, 2001

By A Customer

If you have a working environment that uses DOS, 95, 98, NT, 2000, OS/2, BeOS, Linux and Unix and you were in charge of taking care of them you would need several computers to support this task and that could be very expensive. Roderick Smith has other plans and the cost is very small.

Learning from someone with over 10 years of experience in multi-boot environments this book gives you the breakdown of how to make them all work together and the dos and don'ts to look for.

Smith shows you how to use boot loaders and ways to partitions your hard drive for success. You'll also learn how to install the multiple operating systems and have them working in harmony.

Smith covers the cross platform issue you might face and what happens to the applications. There is coverage of TCP/IP and file and printer sharing. Finally Smith shows ways to optimize and configure your hard drives for the best situation.

Included is a cd with VMware, Partition Magic and Boot Magic. Smith is very knowledgeable and this book is an excellent reference tool.

4.0 out of 5 stars Useful, but dated, September 9, 2005

By	PhiDeck (Sarasota, Florida, USA) - See all my reviews

Five years from publication, this book is still useful, in context. It predates GRUB, assuming only LILO. It also predates WinXP, but much of the Win2k coverage is applicable to XP. OS/2 and BeOS coverage are now of less interest.
Can be bought used for single digit bucks.
An updated second edition would be welcome.