Tri-Boot Win 7 64+Ubuntu 12.04+BackTrack 5 [closed]

Question

I'd like to know what is the best procedure for doing a Tri-boot?

I don't want to re-size windows partition I want to re-install it from scratch.

I heard that it's better to install windows first, but will windows allow me to create the right partition structure? And what is the best scheme? Should I create a primary for windows and extended for everything else?

If so what should my logicals partitions be?

Is it Ubuntu + SWAP(shared) + BackTrack root+ BackTrack home, or should I just make 4 primary partition for Windows + Ubuntu + BackTrack + SWAP?

And what are the formats I should choose for Linux partitions?

I would appreciate any info on this topic

Answer 1

I assume you use 250GB 7200rpm SATA harddisk and 2GB ram, and going to add swap. I prefer use this settings:

/dev/sda1 Windows 150GB
/dev/sda2Extended Backtrack 49GB
/dev/sda3Extended Ubuntu 49GB
/dev/sda4Extended Swap 2GB

So you install the windows first, then install backtrack, then you install Ubuntu with its swap.

If you use more than 4GB ram, and aren't going to add swap:

/dev/sda1 Windows 150GB
/dev/sda2(P/E) Backtrack 50GB
/dev/sda3(P/E) Ubuntu 50GB

Note: (P/E) means primary or extended is ok.

Answer 2

I would suggest you to follow this Windows -> Backtrack -> Ubuntu

will windows allow me to create the right partition structure?

Yes, Windows will allow you to create right structure. But you can't create Linux partitions from there. I suggest you to create a Primary partition for Windows and leave some space for Ubuntu and Backtrack

Then install Backtrack on another partition, possibly on a logical partition with a swap space.

Then install Ubuntu on another partition, may be next to Backtrack. You don't need to create another swap partition this time. Ubuntu will use the first swap partition you created during Backtrack setup.