Build Dual-boot with Windows NT and Linux

In most cases, Windows is the incumbent OS, so the first task to ensure appropriate hard disk partition for Linux.

1. How to resize NTFS?

Good resource on NTFS resizer
http://mlf.linux.rulez.org/mlf/ezaz/ntfsresize.html
http://linuxmafia.com/~rick/linux-info/ntfs

1.1 However, NTFS resizer utility may not be applicable due to the fragmentation of the hard disk.
O&O Software's 2000 Free Defrag: it is integrated into Microsoft Management Console

1.2 Do the job (resize NTFS)
http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/bootitng.html . (I have no connection with this company or its product.) A fully functional "30-day trial" version of the current BootIt NG v. 1.32a is available for download, and may be redistributed unchanged by individuals, provided no fee is charged.

BootIt NG is a multipurpose tool: It can resize, delete, create, copy, move, convert, archive, or format a number of partition types, including NTFS -- the part we're interested in. But it can also implement an (optional) extension to the regular partition table to allow more than 4 primary partitions, and can (and by default does) install to somewhere on the hard drive for future use. If so installed, it can function as an OS multiboot manager (much as lilo and GRUB do).

Since you'll be only resizing partitions, you should specifically _avoid_ installing it to the HD, which is really the only tricky bit. The ZIP archive includes a floppy image, which you write to a blank floppy using dd or a provided DOS utility (BOOTITNG.EXE). You then boot that floppy. The first screen ("Setup") says "Click the OK button to install BootIt NG to the hard drive". You hit Cancel, rather than OK. You see a screen saying this is putting you in maintenance mode. You select Partition Work (using a mouse or the tab key). Select the correct hard drive, if necessary. Select the partition to resize. Select Resize. Error-check it. Enter a new partition size. You see a screen that reminds you that using utilities like this without securing a known-good backup is risky (which it is). And then it does its thing. On the basis of early experience, I can recommend this proprietary "shareware" product to all Linux user groups and others who assist new Linux users.

2. Linux installation: very straightforward

3. File system coexist

3.1 EXT2IFS file system driver for Windows NT
http://uranus.it.swin.edu.au/~jn/linux/ext2ifs.htm

3.2 Explore2fs, the NT/95 explorer for Linux ext2fs/ext3fs partitions
http://uranus.it.swin.edu.au/~jn/linux/explore2fs.htm