Alright. Here we go...I know this topic is covered extensively, but I have tried all that I can find, and can't seem to find a solution that works for me. So, please don't shoot me for asking again.

I'm a linux newbie and am not quite ready to make a full jump from Windows to Linux. So, what I am trying to accomplish is a dual boot with Windows XP and Mandrake 10.0.

However, I do not want LILO to control my boot...had some issues with that in the past screwing up my system...long story...sad ending...
Anyway, I have two hard drives...and 120 GB and a 40 GB. I have been running XP Pro on the 120 GB for a while now, and am trying to install Mandrake 10.0 on the 40 GB. The installation process is no problem (except that the setup wizard doesn't like my Microsoft Mouse...kind of funny if you ask me...but I can work around that issue). No more distractions...

Well, anyway, what I am trying to do is what many sites have said to do: have LILO or GRUB install on the drive that Mandrake is installed on...which is, in my case /dev/hdb5. After installation, I reboot, and, as I expected would happen, the computer started directly to Windows. So, I did a rescue boot from the install CD and went to the console, mounted the linux partitions, and then ran this command: I had to add the extra /mnt in there because of the way the rescue program mounts the partitions...

Well, anyway, I copied the bootsect.lnx into my C:\ drive back in Windows, and modified my boot.ini file with this line: When I try to boot to that, at first I got the infamous "L 99 99 99 99 99 99...." and so on. So, since I couldn't get that to work, I tried some more, with a few different approaches, which I will now describe. In all cases, the first Hard drive (the 120 GB) was never touched

First Approach:
Partition Setup:

HDB:
[--PARTITION (mountpoint = /boot) = 8 MB--|--SWAP PARTITION = 1 GB--|--PARTITION (mountpoint = /) = rest of HD--]


Second Approach:

HDB:
[--SWAP PARTITION = 1 GB--|--PARTITION (mountpoint = /) = rest of HD--]


Third Approach:

Same as the second, just without a swap partition.

In all cases, I made an image of the boot sectors of each partition, and added all of them to the boot menu in windows. I also tried each separate setup with both LILO and GRUB. The closest I ever got to anything working was when the screen came up with something about GRUB and a HD error.
Most of the time, it either reboots right away, goes to a screen with just a blinking cursor, or does the "L 99 99 99 99..." thing, or, in some cases "L 01 01 01 01 01...". I couldn't find any information on the "L 01 01 01.." screen, but found a few resources on the other one, and the only solution I could find was exactly what I'm trying to avoid doing.

Once again, I am trying to not use LILO or GRUB to control my boot up. I would much rather use the Windows selection menu to choose what to boot, at least until I begin to use Linux more often, and am ready to begin moving away from Windows.

So, if someone is willing to help out, how would I accomplish this with 2 hard drives, XP already installed? I hope my description of my problem is enough...let me know if you need clarification...I imagine I will probably need to clarify a few things, considering the time...Anyway, i hope someone can help me out.

Thanks,
A Linux Newbie

Hi,

Here's what I'll do in your case (I did on my comp):
I understand that the 120gigs is the primary hdd and the 40gigs is the secondary (slave).
First you should check if you BIOS allows to change the harddrives booting sequence. If it does then set it to:
1. cd-rom;
2. floppy (A;
3. harddrive1 (counting starts from 0, so 1 is the second);
4. harddrive0

Then install your distro and set the installation point of LILO to MBR (it will be the second drive)

This setup allows you to freely reinstall linux without having to configure/set anything, even you can remowe the 'linux' harddrive (sometimes I use it as a removable to bring some soft from friends - I know it's illegal ).
There's one thing you'll have to remember. If you'll want to reinstall Windows then you'll have to set the sequence (in BIOS) back to harddrive0 and then harddrive1 and after that reinstall it.

This realy works for me and I'm sure it will work for you too.
Regards,

Well, I think I found my problem.

In spite of the trouble I was sure would arise, I went ahead and tried to install and put LILO into the MBR. I tried the same with Grub. Both of them were clean installs of Mandrake 10.0, just in case, but both times, neither would boot, and I think I know what's wrong, thanks to Grub (LILO's little "L 01 01 01 01 01.." and "L 99 99 99 99 99..." screens didn't help any for some reason ...hmm). I think my other Hard Drive is just going out, so installing Linux on it won't do any good. I had a feeling my HD was going bad on me, but now I'm sure of it.

So, now, despite hours upon hours of trying to get it to work, and almost losing my Windows partition, I have decided to wait until I get a new HD, or until my next reformat, and I'll repartition my HD. Or, i can just wait until I get enough DVD-R's to backup all of my stuff, since my HD is almost full with home videos and stuff (anyone care to donate about $50 so that I can get that done? ). Then, I can repartition and get Linux working, so that I can LEARN!!! Anyway, thanks for the help robaq. Much appreciated. I have learned a lot in the process of failing, too, so I guess it's not a total loss or failure.

Until next time....

Here's how I usually setup dual booting pcs. I allways use seperate HDs for each operating system.

http://roofrabbit.com/xwindualboot.html

Hi robaq

I want to ask you a question about your post http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...21#post1092121

My question is that on your second hard drive do you have a fat, fat32 or ntfs partition or is it totally formatted with the filesystems not supported by Windows.

Looking forward to your reply.
ATIF

Hi atifraza82

My primary harddrive is 'windows" formatted (c: ntfs; d: ntfs; e: fat32)
The secondary harddrive has linux partitions only (/boot ext3; / ext3; swap)

Thanks for the reply it helped me clear my doubts. Infact I was trying to install in dual boot with dual drives and this thread will surely be of help.

ATIF

My mobo (ASUS P4P800-deluxe) supports a boot menu at startup (By pressing F8 at boot you get a menu that allows you to select a drive to boot to.) So when I first installed MDK, I just set lilo to boot from hdb instead of hda. I had a problem where I would screw up the Primary Drives MBR which would make Partiton Magic/Windows get all pissy.

Just another option to keep in mind if your mobo supports the boot to selected drives.