How to setup Dual Boot Linux and Windows

Try this link
http://www.enterprisedt.com/publications/dual_boot.html

You first install xp then install linux. depending on the distro you are using you need to follow there instructions for dual booting with windows. When linux is partitioning the hard drive make sure you dont select the option entire hd some distro's setup will give you an option to install linux on the half of the drive that windows is not using thus giving half the drive for windows and the other for linux.

If you are new to linux i would recommend you join a linux forum or a forum on your distro if they have one. Here are couple of forums that i am member of and they give quick responses.

http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/

http://www.linuxquestions.org/

http://linuxiso.org/

http://forums.suselinuxsupport.de/index.php?

First install XP. After that you can install Linux. Most modern Distros will see your windows installation and will automatically suggest to setup your system for dualbooting. If you can choose between different bootloaders, select GRUB, as it is easier to use and more flexible than lilo. Also, if you make a disk image of your installation after the installation (with ghost or a similar prog) it should be possible to restore more easily. With Lilo I have had problems restoring.
Make a primary partition as large as you need for your windows and then make an Extended Partition for the rest. Make a logical Fat32 Partition for your data, you can easily use that both for windows and linux. NTFS should now also work in linux, but normaly you will not be able to write to such a partition. Then I normally make a small ext2 Linux boot (/boot)partition of about 100MB and a large ext3 Linux Partition for root (/). If your are going to install Linux along with a lot of programs you will need about 10Gigs for that partition. another partition should be a linux swap partition (About 1 to 2 times the size of your RAM).

I'd suggest mandrake 10.x as the distro, as this is pretty easy to install and works pretty well on laptops (On my DELL Latitude 300).

Good Luck

First, let me say it is possible and ease to do what you are asking, I have set up Windows and Linux in Dell Inspiron and Toshiba Satellite with no problem.

Considerations:
1. Instal Windows XP/2003/* with this in mind: use only part of your disk for Windows, leaving some room for Linux, 4GB for starters would be enough.
2. Choose a distribution you know as compatible, I've done this with RedHat 9, Fedora Core 2, Suse .
3. Start linux instalation, YES, there is a graphical installer (for the ones I recommend), the process will make clear your disk has to partitions, let it use space you left and Linux will fit their internal partitioning for you, no need to calc swap, root or else, it is automated for you.
4. The process will install, GRUB or LILO wich will kindly install as your boot managers, leaving a menu at boottime in which you decide wich one to use.

But, if you just want to get to know linux, you can use a LiveCD like Knoppix, wich can boot up your notebook without even touching your hard-drive. Once you are familiar with it, you can install the linux you want.