How to set up dual boot for Linux and Vista Business

I have been working with a little bit lately trying to learn it and I love it. I just bought a new Toshiba Satellite A205 and would like to have Linux on it, but feel I also need to keep Vista Business for those pesky times when there are compatibility issues or when people I am traveling with need to use my computer. Does anyone have any specific recommendations on how to get started with this, or, better yet, a full guide on how to do it. I have been searching for a guide, and there is plenty of discussion about the existence of one, but haven't actually found one. Also, in dual boot, does it automatically boot into one, then you have to do something to go into the other OS, or does it ask you on boot which OS you would like to start? From my limited experience at this time I am thinking about using LinSpire. Thanks

 

Have you looked into VMWare? Their desktop product runs about $200, but can be more beneficial, depending on your situation/time constraints

http://www.vmware.com/products/ws/

 

In a nutshell:

1. Repartition Windows however you are comfortable, to free up some space.
2. Install whatever Linux you want, it should make a bootloader entry for both Linux and Windows.

There is a Flash movie here about doing it. VMware is a good solution as well, and may be easier to undo. I use VMware daily, they have several products that are free now.

 

It defaults to booting into Linux, but gives you a Window choose another OS, Vista Business in your case.

 

Install Vista first.

I know with Fedora you can customize the menu during the installation (wich one you want, what name you wanna see it, witch one to be default).

 

all distros default to booting their distro unless you state otherwise...

all distros can be modified to default booting of windows, or what you wish for...
you can even cut out the timer and have only the boot screen up until you choose an os from there, in which case it wont boot until you decide...

most distro's default to grub as the bootloader, and if that is what you use then you can alter the bootloader in linux, its located at
/boot/grub/menu.lst
which you open it as root(su) in a terminal using vi
there you can scroll down to the bottom of the file and change the boot order.

i suggest you read the commands used by vi(actually called vim now but i still type vi) and then move whatever os you want booted first, to the top of the boot order...


PS, exception to this is if you use OS2 WARP, then you need to use there bootloader...

 

Alternatively you can install the grub boot loader to the linux partition itself and then on booting Windows install EasyBCD (free program) and attach the grub boot loader to the windows boot loader. EasyBCD also allows you to easily change the default option, timer, etc. This way you won't over-write the windows boot loader with grub.