how to install grub for dual boot with WinXP? [gig hd] [boot linux]
Q: I have a 40 gig hd with five partitions (c, d and e, f, g);
Partition G is formatted and I wanted to install Linux. C has winXP partition (NTFS) nd D has win2k system (NTFS) now, I have a lot of articles on how to dual boot with Linux, but they all disagree on how to proceed with the installation of grub. An article would say Grup install on the MBR, and another might say to install the linux boot partition. Ive searched newsgroups and it seems that there are problems for both. What do you recommend?
I have no idea how to proceed .
thx in advance
Re:Originally posted by: guy
Here's another alternative–this is how I did it when I was dual-booting Windows/RedHat once upon a time…
Instead of using Grub you can instead using the WinNT/2000/XP boot loader to boot your Linux instead. I don't remember all the details, but here's a general outline
I found in the NT Loader+Linux mini-howto (you should be able to easily find it on google or something):
First, when you install Linux just install the boot loader on your Linux partition (not the MBR). Also make a boot disk (because you won't be able to
get into Linux yet without it). Then boot into Linux using your disk, and use the dd command to extract the Linux boot sector to a file on floppy (or somewhere where
your Windows can read it). Get back into Windows and save that boot sector file somewhere on one of your Windows partitions and point to it in your boot.ini file. Once you
reboot, you will have another entry to boot into Linux!
It was really easy to do and personally I liked that better than using LILO (which is what RedHat used at the time).
This is well explainded in this AT FAQ!! (http://www.{$MySite}/guides/viewfaq.html?i=58)!
Of course the original Mini Howto (http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/mini/Linux+WinNT.html), still applies!!
Re:Here's another alternative–this is how I did it when I was dual-booting Windows/RedHat once upon a time…
Instead of using Grub you can instead using the WinNT/2000/XP boot loader to boot your Linux instead. I don't remember all the details, but here's a general outline
I found in the NT Loader+Linux mini-howto (you should be able to easily find it on google or something):
First, when you install Linux just install the boot loader on your Linux partition (not the MBR). Also make a boot disk (because you won't be able to
get into Linux yet without it). Then boot into Linux using your disk, and use the dd command to extract the Linux boot sector to a file on floppy (or somewhere where
your Windows can read it). Get back into Windows and save that boot sector file somewhere on one of your Windows partitions and point to it in your boot.ini file. Once you
reboot, you will have another entry to boot into Linux!
It was really easy to do and personally I liked that better than using LILO (which is what RedHat used at the time).
Re:You can only have 4 primary partitions per disk under windows!
You can have a primary partition and an extend partition with logical partitions inside!!
that's how you get all those letters!!!
right, but if he already has 4 primary partitions he isnt going to be able to install linux on that drive. at least that's the way that I remember it.
I have a drive with 4 partitions and tried to install linux on the end but it wouldnt let me…..
-spy
But if he already has 5 drive letters it means he must have an extend partition…
question: can RH install the boot loader on a different physical drive during installation?
Yes it can, during the install at least in expert mode it will ask you where you want it installed,
or as guy says you can put it on a floppy, and that way you don't mess with the boot
sequence at the early stage…
Re:Originally posted by: guy
install a distro such as redhat or mandrake, both of them will install grub or lilo as your bootloader with virtually no config. on your part at all.
enjoy
-spy
question: can RH install the boot loader on a different physical drive during installation?
If I remember correctly during the install it gives you the option to create a boot disk, than you could specify to not have it setup grub
that way without the boot disk it will boot automatically into xp, and with the boot disk in the drive it will boot automatically into RH, I've seen it done that way before (although never run a config as such)
-spy
Re:install a distro such as redhat or mandrake, both of them will install grub or lilo as your bootloader with virtually no config. on your part at all.
enjoy
-spy
question: can RH install the boot loader on a different physical drive during installation?
Re:Originally posted by: guy
you can only have 4 volumes per disk …
if anyone knows differant please feel free to correct me.
-spy
You can only have 4 primary partitions per disk under windows!
You can have a primary partition and an extend partition with logical partitions inside!!
that's how you get all those letters!!!
right, but if he already has 4 primary partitions he isnt going to be able to install linux on that drive. at least that's the way that I remember it.
I have a drive with 4 partitions and tried to install linux on the end but it wouldnt let me…..
-spy
Re:you can only have 4 volumes per disk …
if anyone knows differant please feel free to correct me.
-spy
You can only have 4 primary partitions per disk under windows!
You can have a primary partition and an extend partition with logical partitions inside!!
that's how you get all those letters!!!
Re:well, the question is though, where to install grub…
i get the choice of
"install boot loader on MBR or install it on first sector of boot partition"
i understand i don thave to do much configuration, but i gotta chose the MBR or \boot
NOw, what i was saying is that i have read different sites and they all advise differently; those who support \boot say that doing it on the mbr will crash, and then those that did it on \boot couldnt boot to the machine…..
Re:Originally posted by: guy
I have a 40 gig hd with five partitions (c, d, e, f, g);
Wait a min, I dont think it's going to work with that many partitions, you can only have 4 volumes per disk (with the exception of "dynamic disks" in win 2k/xp).
I think you might have to change the way you have your drive setup to be able to run the way you want to, FYI.
if anyone knows differant please feel free to correct me.
-spy
Re:Originally posted by: guy
I have a 40 gig hd with five partitions (c, d, e, f, g);
Partition G is unformatted and i wanted to install linux there. Partition c has winXP(NTFS) nd D has win2k(NTFS); now, i have read quite a few articles on how to dual boot with linux, but they all disagree on how to proceed with the installation of grub. One article would say to install grup on the MBR, and another one would say to install it on the \boot linux partition. I have searched newsgroups and it seems that there are problems for both. What do you guys recommend???
I have no clue how to proceed…
thx in advance
install a distro such as redhat or mandrake, both of them will install grub or lilo as your bootloader with virtually no config. on your part at all.
enjoy
-spy
Re:Both of mine are installed on the MBR, one dual booting with XP Pro, the other with 2000 Pro. It was the only way it worked for me. I don't remember where I saw an article about Grub and MBR might work or it might not. I would try it on the MBR.
I am really new to Linux, BTW.
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Tags: boot linux, gig hd