I'll be starting with a new HDD probably around the size of 100/250 gig. I wish to load onto it XP Pro 32 bit / WIN 7 Ultimate 64bit / Linux Mint 9.
I want it so that when I boot it gives me the option of which O/S I want to load. I intend to only keep the O/S's on this drive and whatever they need to function (swap file, etc) but everything else (data, programs, etc) will be on another drive entirely.
So the questions that I can think of are: Assuming it can be done at all.
1/ In what way should I format/partition the HDD.
2/ In what order should I install the respective O/S's
3/ How much should I allocate for swap file and anything else that must be on the same HDD as the O/S's
4/ Will all of the O/S's equally be able to access the data on the 2nd drive. I realize not all will be able to access and run the same programs though I guess a lot of XP/7 should be cross compatible.
I know most about XP (which I currently use)
Least about WIN 7 (which I want to install)
A bit about Mint 9 (don't know all the bash commands but can follow directions)
Intend to use WIN 7 most as I get familiar with it.
Moderate use of XP for some of my older programs and as a fall back if I run into strife with 7.
Mint the least.
Hope someone can help.
Thanks.