Dual boot linux and xp pro without re-partition?

[tuxify]

I was wondering if there was a practical way of dual booting Linux (probably Ubuntu) and XP Pro without getting rid of everything on my current HD (with XP Pro on it). I really enjoy a lot of things about Linux, but I forgot to dual-boot when I first started off with this computer. If there isn't a good way, I'll probably just re-install windows anyway, and I can dual-boot from there.

 

[brian]

you need gparted or partition magic. but just some warning there is a 98-99% chance of success the other 1-2% is your drive gets erased. happened to me. it is my computer though. it is a hp and they have a quick play partition so they did something to make it so you dont partition it... but you just re size your partition and make a new one...

edit i have been told gparted does not work for windows... so i have been told

 

[porterjw]

you need gparted or partition magic. but just some warning there is a 98-99% chance of success the other 1-2% is your drive gets erased. happened to me. it is my computer though.

I never have problems with GParted.

Anyway, Tuxify: You'll want to download the Ubuntu Live CD and burn it as a .iso. Load it up and then click on Install when the Desktop appears. The third or fourth option will deal with partitioning.

If you only have one physical HDD, you'll be able to resize it without compromising your Windows OS already on. I'd recommend defragging windows 3 or 4 times before you resize the partition though, just to make sure everything is as neat and organized as possible. After you resize it, be sure to divide the newly-created partition into separate partitions for Swap and Root. If you're able to (never dealt with logical partitions after resizing), you may want to add a separate Home partition too.

Edit: Sorry, forgot to add this. As far as the dual-booting goes after Ubuntu is installed, it will load GRUB and you'll be able to dual-boot.