Windows XP & Fedora Core 6 with GRUB as the boot loader on a host. Which one first?

mcifdo · 08-19-2009, 01:19 PM

If Windows XP and Fedora Core 6 with GRUB as the boot loader have to be installed on a host, which operating system should be installed first?

b0uncer · 08-19-2009, 01:20 PM

It can be done either one first, but it's probably easier if you put Windows first, Fedora second. This way GRUB is installed as the last bootloader (Windows doesn't ask you if you'd like it to overwrite your existing bootloader...)

mushroomboy · 08-19-2009, 01:28 PM

he is right, should install linux seccond and the grub on the same partition as you installed linux. then just make the linux partition active so it boots instead of the partition the windows loader is on. you can always edit grub to boot windows

b0uncer · 08-19-2009, 01:33 PM

I personally prefer installing GRUB to the MBR of the harddisk instead of beginning of a partition. Again, this can be done either way, and it's just my personal preference. Though there is this thing: if you install GRUB to MBR, it will overwrite your Windows bootloader. This is no problem, but if you later decide you want the Windows bootloader back, you'll need the Windows setup/recovery disc from where you can reinstall it.

mushroomboy · 08-19-2009, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b0uncer

I personally prefer installing GRUB to the MBR of the harddisk instead of beginning of a partition. Again, this can be done either way, and it's just my personal preference. Though there is this thing: if you install GRUB to MBR, it will overwrite your Windows bootloader. This is no problem, but if you later decide you want the Windows bootloader back, you'll need the Windows setup/recovery disc from where you can reinstall it.

Also if you choose to upgrade or re-install windows you'll have to run a linux grub disk to re-install grub. That's why I choose to exlain it the 'complicated' way so you have less problems down the road.