[Req] Boot manager

[MightyKitten]

I want to create an all-but-windows freeware pc, and I'm still looking for a
decent freeware bootmanager. I'm not realy familiar with the freeware boot
managers of today. I tries an old one 4 years ago, resulting in me swearing
I'd never use a bootmanager again. I guess I was wrong about that one ;-) )

I think to use the following systems

2x Windows 2000 Profesional (1 to run the freeware system, 1 to test new
freeware)
1x Freedos (on the partition I will keep my image for the testing system
1x Windows 98SE
1x a pinguin system, (I think it will be Knoppix, but mightbe an other, or
even none. I just want to reserve the space)


The two w2k sysems and the freedos are a must (if you can speak of a must
for a hobby project) The other two are very optional and will not be missed,
realy. I guess most, if not all, bootmanagers should be able to handle this.
Just want to find out about all the aviable options...

MightyKitten

 

[tfog]

I want to create an all-but-windows freeware pc, and I'm still looking
for a decent freeware bootmanager. I'm not realy familiar with the
freeware boot managers of today. I tries an old one 4 years ago,
resulting in me swearing I'd never use a bootmanager again. I guess I
was wrong about that one ;-) )

I think to use the following systems

2x Windows 2000 Profesional (1 to run the freeware system, 1 to test
new freeware)
1x Freedos (on the partition I will keep my image for the testing
system 1x Windows 98SE
1x a pinguin system, (I think it will be Knoppix, but mightbe an
other, or even none. I just want to reserve the space)


The two w2k sysems and the freedos are a must (if you can speak of a
must for a hobby project) The other two are very optional and will not
be missed, realy. I guess most, if not all, bootmanagers should be
able to handle this. Just want to find out about all the aviable
options...

MightyKitten

Try GAG at http://gag.sourceforge.net/ . Install oldest version of Windows
first per http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;306559.
Also see Doug Knox's recommendations, e.g. Win XP Tips at
http://www.dougknox.com/ . They are detailed and very good. When
installing Linux distros it is very important to chose to have the
bootloader installed in the first sector of the root partition rather than
in the MBR. If you fail to do this, GAG will not work. Good Luck!

 

[Joachim Ziebs]

Hi MightyKitten!

2x Windows 2000 Profesional (1 to run the freeware system, 1 to test
new freeware)
1x Freedos (on the partition I will keep my image for the testing
system 1x Windows 98SE
1x a pinguin system, (I think it will be Knoppix, but mightbe an
other, or even none. I just want to reserve the space)

You want Lilo or Grup.
Besides, if you want a penguin on your HD I'd suggest a real
distribution like Debian or Mandrake and not the harddisk install of
Knoppix.

Greetings,

Joachim

 

[MightyKitten]

I believe I've met lilo before as it is quite populair in PinguinCOuntry, I
understand, I will cetrainly take a look at the latest version, and of
course I'll also check out GAG (thanks tfog) and Grup

The reason I want Knoppix as Pinguin power is quite simple: I use the CD
often for troubleshooting network problems or messed up computer without the
need of installing software on the user system. Strangly enough, most
companies do allow you to run a live knoppix CD, but refuse you to put your
laptop on their network, the fist time they meet you.

At this time I'm only intersted in (almost) out of the box funtionality of
linux, so a live CD will do. Besides Knoppix is the only Live CD I have
documentation of on "how to put it on the harddisk") Later, when i have more
knowledge of linux, I might download rher real stuf, for now, It will serve
more as a quik reference, without me messing up too much things. If I'm lazy
enough, I will just burn a kopy of knoppix and leave it in the cd writer...
But thanks for the advise anyway, I'd probably had given the same

MightyKitten

 

[tfog]

Hi MightyKitten!


You want Lilo or Grup.
Besides, if you want a penguin on your HD I'd suggest a real
distribution like Debian or Mandrake and not the harddisk install of
Knoppix.

Greetings,

Joachim

I agree with Joachim about the Linux choice. If you are restricted to a
live CD version of Linux, you might want to look at Mandrake Live and
PCLinuxOS 2K4. The latter has a very straightforward installation to the
hard drive from the live CD. Furthermore, LILO and GRUB will suffice as
boot managers provided you only have one Linux distro on your computer.
LILO and GRUB will allow you to install the Windows systems to their
bootloader menus.

As I recall, you plan on installing multiple Windows systems. When you do
this, you end up with modified boot.ini file that allows for booting of the
various Windows systems. This results from the boot manager in Win XP (HE
and Pro) and Win200 (I think?). This is the configuration that you want to
install in GAG, GRUB or LILO. The result is that you end up with a menu
(Windows systems) within a menu (all systems). It gets a bit complex, but
it is possible. I have six OSs systems on my computers using this approach.
Good Luck!