How To Build Multi-Boot Box?

  • Thread starter Thread starter (PeteCresswell)
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(PeteCresswell)

I'd like to put Windows XP and Linux on the same PC.

Done it a long time ago with Win2k going at it from the Linux
side - using something called "Grub".

Can't remember the details, but it seems like it wasn't all that
wonderful an experience.

Is there a way to approach it from the Windows side?
 
Pete, don't know how long ago you tried it but from the Linux side is
much easier. Grub will automatically include your WinXP
OS and you will have an option to select which OS you want to boot.
 
(PeteCresswell) said:
I'd like to put Windows XP and Linux on the same PC.

Done it a long time ago with Win2k going at it from the Linux
side - using something called "Grub".

Can't remember the details, but it seems like it wasn't all that
wonderful an experience.

Is there a way to approach it from the Windows side?
Click to expand...

No, there isn't. However, there are a number of third-party boot managers
that will work with just about any OS. XOSL is one of them, and it's free.
It lets you boot into any OS on any disk or partition, primary or logical.
Furthermore, it won't modify the boot environment of any of the installed
OSs - it simply passes control to the one you select.
 
The best way is to install your version of Windows first, then get the
Ubuntu Live CD and use it to install Ubuntu on your system. It will take
care of installing grub and setting up the dual boot for you.

http://www.ubuntu.com

Later, Ray Parrish
 
Per Rich Barry:
Pete, don't know how long ago you tried it but from the Linux side is
much easier. Grub will automatically include your WinXP
OS and you will have an option to select which OS you want to boot.
Click to expand...

That would be the same as Ray Parrish's observation, right?

i.e. Build the Windows system first, then install Linux (in this
case MythBuntu 8.04) second and look for some sort of multi boot
option - which I'm going to try right now.
 
I don't remember the Ubuntu installations asking if I wanted to
multi-boot, it just detected my Win XP installation and assumed I wanted
to dual boot and set it up for me.

Later, Ray Parrish
 
Pete, that's exactly right. I have WinME, Win2K Pro, 2 WinXP Pro's and
8 Linux Distro's on my 80G Drive. Why, don't ask.
 
Per Ray Parrish:
I don't remember the Ubuntu installations asking if I wanted to
multi-boot, it just detected my Win XP installation and assumed I wanted
to dual boot and set it up for me.
Click to expand...

I'm in the home stretch right now.

Did the Myth install over top of an existing XP system.

It prompted for partition and I specified 50-50 on a 300-gigger.

On the last re-boot, I noticed a "Which system" prompt that timed
out and defaulted to Linux after a few seconds.

I'm config'ing MythTV right now.

Then we'll go back and see what's left of the XP install..... -)
 
Per (PeteCresswell):
Then we'll go back and see what's left of the XP install..... -)
Click to expand...

Seems tb intact.

Only zinger is that Grub doesn't know from a USB2 keyboard.

I can live with that - just keep an old keyboard sitting on top
of the box for when I want to interact w/Grub.
 
Ray said:
The best way is to install your version of Windows first, then get the
Ubuntu Live CD and use it to install Ubuntu on your system. It will
take care of installing grub and setting up the dual boot for you.
Click to expand...

Two caveats...

1. If you should happen to already have two OS installs - XP + 98, eg - you
will have two boot menus to go through if you want to boot XP: first, the
GRUB then the normal XP.

2. If you decide to dump Ubuntu you will have to repair the MBR to get rid
of the GRUB loader.

--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico
 
Bob I said:
Only with 2 or more Windows partitions. Windows doesn't "support"
booting Linux.
Click to expand...

In my dual-boot WindowsXP+Ubuntu setup I use windows to boot Ubuntu:

[boot loader]
timeout=8
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
C:\ubuntu.bin="Ubuntu Never boot Linux when Windows is in Hibernation"

It works fine.
 
I stand corrected!
:

Only with 2 or more Windows partitions. Windows doesn't "support"
booting Linux.
Click to expand...


In my dual-boot WindowsXP+Ubuntu setup I use windows to boot Ubuntu:

[boot loader]
timeout=8
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
C:\ubuntu.bin="Ubuntu Never boot Linux when Windows is in Hibernation"

It works fine.
Click to expand...
 
Per dadiOH:
Two caveats...

1. If you should happen to already have two OS installs - XP + 98, eg - you
will have two boot menus to go through if you want to boot XP: first, the
GRUB then the normal XP.

2. If you decide to dump Ubuntu you will have to repair the MBR to get rid
of the GRUB loader.
Click to expand...

How about creating backup images?

What's the path of least resistance?

Image the entire drive? (which I've never done before)

Image the two partitions separately? (which I do....using
something called TeraByte - but it seems like the custom boot
block is now not backed up)
 
The date and time was 10/28/2008 1:25 PM, and on a whim, (PeteCresswell)
pounded out on the keyboard:
Per dadiOH:

How about creating backup images?

What's the path of least resistance?

Image the entire drive? (which I've never done before)

Image the two partitions separately? (which I do....using
something called TeraByte - but it seems like the custom boot
block is now not backed up)
Click to expand...

Hi Pete,

I use Boot Magic to handle my 5 OS's (used to come with Partition Magic-
don't know if it still does). I remember reading here that without a
boot manager like Boot Magic, one couldn't boot a Win9x partition within
XP/wk2 (not your issue I know but it's mentioned above).

While you can use the built in managers for what you want to do, a boot
manager for me makes selecting an OS a one selection procedure.

I use Partition Magic to create backup partitions of all my partitions,
so it doubles as a backup program. So if I need to restore from another
of the hard drives, I reboot into my DOS partition and use Partition
Magic from there (you have to reboot most of the time to copy a
partition so I use the DOS version of PM so it isn't necessary)

I have three hard drives and keep redundant copies within the three, and
my data is redundant between two.

--
Terry R.

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