LinuxQuestions.org
Welcome to the most active Linux Forum on the web.
Go Back   LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Desktop
User Name
Password
Linux - Desktop This forum is for the discussion of all Linux Software used in a desktop context.

Notices


Reply
  Search this Thread
Old 07-21-2011, 11:49 PM   #1
arielsegal
Member
 
Registered: Jul 2007
Posts: 38

Rep: Reputation: 15
duel boot with grub question


Hi,

My PC runs only one OS, Linux Mint. I want to install Fedora and be able to choose at boot time between Mint and Fedora. Each one of these OS'es, at installation, will let me do a duel boot. But I want to keep the Mint installation as the main OS, so, when I will remove the Fedora installation, I will not have to repair grub.
If I just install Fedora, It will recognize the previously installed Mint, and will be able to install Fedora along side with it, by re-installing grub, and the grub configuration file will be on the partition of Fedora, so, if I format the Fedora partition, I'll have, again to re-install grub.
How do I add Fedora to my system without re-installing grub?
 
Old 07-22-2011, 12:12 AM   #2
weibullguy
ReliaFree Maintainer
 
Registered: Aug 2004
Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan
Distribution: Slackware 14.2
Posts: 2,815
Blog Entries: 1

Rep: Reputation: 261Reputation: 261Reputation: 261
Don't install grub when you install Fedora. Manually add Fedora to your existing menu.lst file.
 
Old 07-22-2011, 01:04 AM   #3
arielsegal
Member
 
Registered: Jul 2007
Posts: 38

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 15
Quote:
Originally Posted by weibullguy View Post
Don't install grub when you install Fedora. Manually add Fedora to your existing menu.lst file.
How do I do this? Does Fedora Installation provides this option? I'm afraid to start installation when the automatic installer might do thing I do not want him to do.
 
Old 07-22-2011, 06:35 AM   #4
Larry Webb
LQ Veteran
 
Registered: Jul 2006
Location: Crystal Beach, Texas
Distribution: Suse for mail +
Posts: 5,100
Blog Entries: 7

Rep: Reputation: 229Reputation: 229Reputation: 229
If you are going to distro hop I would suggest using virtualization or chainloading with grub. There is not an easy one step automatic way of doing what you want. Any distro you install will need grub default install changed. Keep a live dvd of your mint and it will be easier to repair your grub from terminal.
 
Old 07-22-2011, 06:52 AM   #5
arielsegal
Member
 
Registered: Jul 2007
Posts: 38

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 15
Quote:
Originally Posted by Larry Webb View Post
If you are going to distro hop I would suggest using virtualization or chainloading with grub. There is not an easy one step automatic way of doing what you want. Any distro you install will need grub default install changed. Keep a live dvd of your mint and it will be easier to repair your grub from terminal.
Thank you for your answer.
Do you mean that I'll have to change the Fedora distro, such that it will not install grub? If that's the case, it is indeed easier to repair grub. But then, will I have to uninstall grub from Fedora, after I've repaired the grub in Mint?
I was considering installing Fedora on VirtualBox, but I think it will not work for me, since I want to write my own device driver for h/w, change the kernel etc. without harming the Mint installation that servers as my personal PC, with all my life on it.
 
Old 07-22-2011, 08:18 AM   #6
Larry Webb
LQ Veteran
 
Registered: Jul 2006
Location: Crystal Beach, Texas
Distribution: Suse for mail +
Posts: 5,100
Blog Entries: 7

Rep: Reputation: 229Reputation: 229Reputation: 229
First thing to do is make a backup of everything on your h/d now if your whole life is on it.

Quote:
Do you mean that I'll have to change the Fedora distro, such that it will not install grub?
No you do not need to change the default installation of fedora but would not need to do anything if on fedora installation install grub into / and then boot mint and from terminal run update-grub and it should add the fedora to your mint.
 
  


Reply

Tags
dual boot


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off



Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Duel boot grub problem anupamjamatia Linux - Software 3 05-14-2009 09:28 AM
duel boot question rob.rice Linux - General 2 07-31-2008 11:11 PM
no grub after fedorea 5 duel boot install Turnthepage Fedora - Installation 5 10-03-2006 02:38 PM
GRUB problems - duel boot camman977 Fedora - Installation 3 04-16-2005 03:57 PM
Windows XP RH 7.2 Grub Duel Boot LinnyNewbie Linux - Newbie 4 03-04-2002 08:18 AM

LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Desktop

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:00 AM.

Main Menu
Advertisement
My LQ
Write for LQ
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute content, let us know.
Main Menu
Syndicate
RSS1  Latest Threads
RSS1  LQ News
Twitter: @linuxquestions
Open Source Consulting | Domain Registration