Dual boot Dual Drive Ubuntu Jaunty & XP - Advice on Best Way?
 

Hello,

I am just about to install a new SATA Drive to my PC and already have Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty installed on existing SATA drive.
I am going to install Windows XP onto the new drive. I can see 3 options: 1) Should I just install drive and insert XP disk and then wait for everything to turn out ok. I am assuming Windows will find the Jaunty drive and allow me to set up dual boot to it?

2) Should I disconnect the 'Jaunty' Hard Drive install the new Drive and then install Windows. And follow the advice here
http://ubuntu-georgia.org/installing...eparate_drives

3) Install Windows on current 'Jaunty' Drive and then reinstall Jaunty on the new drive.

3) is my least favourite - after all I am only putting windows on for the teenagers school needs.......

I would want Ubuntu as the default boot.

What is the best way and what issues may I have? Any advice gratefully received before I start lashing this up...... I am a firm newbie for Linux.

Kind Regards,
Paul

I would go for option 4) setup new disk and install windows on it (without disconnecting Jaunty drive). It will just rewrite your MBR on your Jaunty drive so right afterward you will not be able to boot to Linux. But Don't Panic. You just need to restore it. There are numerous posts on internet and in this forum how to do it. This way you will not have to reinstall your Ubuntu. If you have problem finding any relevant, let me know ;)

Thanks shpenat. The only problem I have is that the XP installation disk is not working! About to return to Novatec who have been excellent and agreed that disk is obviously faulty.
In the light of this I am tempted to go for RAID but not sure I ma up to it. Fresh post coming on I feel.
Thanks for your help.

Uh, you know that XP out of the box won't install on about 99% of SATA drives, right? You need to get your sata drivers and use a program called nlite in order to slipstream them into the install.

The way I ALWAYS install XP after linux is already on a machine is to completely remove the linux drive, put the other drive in, and install XP. That way you avoid any possible funny business by the M$ install, so you don't have to reinstall your bootloader. Then you plug both drives in, set bios to boot the linux drive, and edit menu.lst(if you use grub). It takes less than an hour and I've never had an issue with it.

Yes know about the SATA thing. XP disk is faulty and Novatech who have been excellent have agreed refund. Now going for RAID.
Your approach seems good and I will adopt this when and if it comes to it.
THANKS.