Dual OS 1024 cylinder limit?

[mordi05]

Hi.
I am going to install Ubuntu as a second OS on my Laptop, which is currently running XP pro.
Out of my 80 Gb hard disk I'm thinking 10Gb winXP, 20 Gb Ubuntu and the rest as a shared FAT32 partition.

Now my question is concerning the 1024 cylinder boot code limitation. I have problems understanding it. Will both my OS partitions need to start before the (in my case) 8 Gb limit?

In that case, it will be a problem for me. Also, if I move my windows partition beyond the limit to install Ubuntu, and it does not work, It will be a problem to move it back.

Any pointers are greatly appreciated.
(I'm putting this in Win forum because I'm already pretty sure that the Linux OS partition does need to be within the limit).

 

[DelJo63]

Once upon a time, the 1024 cylinder boundary was a real issue (and a pain),
but modern systems have overcome that issue;

see Redhat Grub/LILO description
scroll to Force LBA32 (not normally required)​

If you twiddle the partition layout so as to arrange the 1024 boundary
(eg move Linux to the low end of the disk),
install a boot loader of your choice,
you can proceed with the Linux install.

if necessary, you can abort the Linux partition and run Pure Windows (is there such a thing?) as it doesn't care abound the 1024 boundary.

 

[mordi05]

Thank you, sir.
That's what I needed and wanted to hear.