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Old 11-05-2007, 08:31 AM   #1
Antoin
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Dual Booting Fedora 7 with windows xp????


Okay, where do I start. Just made the decision recently to dump windows and take on Linux for a change. Isn't going that smoothly right now, didn't think it would either. Miss some of my programs from windows which I really need to program Java for University and the text editors for linux are overly complicated and I really need to do some work now.. Anyway, what I am trying to ask is would someone please be a hero and link me to a step by step guide for dual booting Fedora 7 with windows xp. I'm not givin up on linux but I unfortunately just need windows for a few apps. Please need your help!!!! Been on the tutorials section already but they only cater for those wanting to install linux from windows and not the other way about.

Last edited by Antoin; 11-05-2007 at 08:37 AM.
 
Old 11-05-2007, 08:38 AM   #2
Vincent_Vega
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If you're going to try to migrate to linux, I have to suggest picking something better than Fedora. Ubuntu would definitely be a better choice in my opinion. Better than that even would be Slackware.
To get your dual-boot going, we'll need to know how your hard drive is partitioned. Post the output of:
fdisk -l
which will list the partitions within your system.
 
Old 11-05-2007, 08:58 AM   #3
Antoin
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Sorry mate, fdisk -l just comes up with command not found. I have already installed fedora so I'm gonna stick with that, as far as I know I only have one partition with linux installed on it anyway mate.
 
Old 11-05-2007, 09:06 AM   #4
Vincent_Vega
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You need to execute that command as root! If you have sudo setup, you could just run:
sudo /sbin/fdisk -l
If you do only have one partition, you have a couple choices:
1. Install a second hard drive to put XP on
2. Use some program like GParted to partition your current drive (I have never used it so I can't tell you whether or not it's even safe)
3. Start from scratch - Reinstall FC but when you do, do a custom partitioning scheme and give yourself at least three partitions, one of which you'll install XP on. To get full details on that process, just google 'dual-boot how-to' or something like that.
 
Old 11-05-2007, 09:08 AM   #5
mpgram
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Here is how I have had success dual booting WinXP and Fedora.

This assumes a couple of things.
A. Dual booting from 1 hard drive, not multiple drives.
B. You have a newer MB that supports LBA.

Here is what I do:
1. Install Windows. I have a 250GB drive that I used. When Windows asks for a partition, I created a 120GB partition. It needs to be the first partition.

2. After Windows is completely installed, reboot and insert the Fedora Core DVD (CD if you are unlucky).

3. When installing FC7, at teh Grub Bootloader, make sure you choose "First Partition of the boot device" NOT (STRESSING NOT) the MBR!!!!

4. After Linux has been installed, the system will reboot into Windows. Go and download Bootpart
http://www.soft32.com/download_8253.html

5. Follow the directions in the bootpart.txt file, it should be fairly straight forward. I do not have access to download bootpart where I am at now.

Bootpart will automatically update the boot.ini file, and you will not have to do any special Grub commands. When you are done with that, reboot.

You should now see an option for Windows XP and an option for Linux (Or whatever you called them).

Let me know if you have any problems/questions.
 
Old 11-05-2007, 09:11 AM   #6
Antoin
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Right okay, bear with me, I'm a windows wizard and a linux loser. Haven't a clue what I'm doin on this OS most of the time. Here's the output for the disk, I'm running a laptop so it's not an option to install another HDD.

Disk /dev/sda: 30.0 GB, 30005821440 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 3648 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 1 13 104391 83 Linux
/dev/sda2 14 3648 29198137+ 8e Linux LVM
 
Old 11-05-2007, 09:16 AM   #7
Antoin
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Okay MPGRAM, that sounds pretty straightforward to me mate, nice one thanks very much.
 
Old 11-05-2007, 09:28 AM   #8
mpgram
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Yeah it has worked several times now. It will also work with multiple hard drives and multiple OSs. Technically, bootpart is great as long as Win XP or Win 2K or 2K3 is installed first, and the boot loaders for each NON-Windows OS is NOT installed on the MBR. I have seen WinXP, FC3, FC7, Ubguntu, CentOS, and Debian, all installed on one box (over multiple drives). Bootpart is great and makes it all easy.
 
Old 11-05-2007, 10:02 AM   #9
Vincent_Vega
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Grub accomplishes the same thing, especially if you just use the chainloader option. But whatever makes it easier for you. Personally, I think you'll really want to consider saving up a little money for another hard drive. 30G is pushing things a little bit I think, especially for two OSes.
 
Old 11-05-2007, 10:10 AM   #10
Antoin
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Sorry again, I sound like a pain in the arse, does GRUB have issues with letting you boot from windows XP cds? Mines won't boot even though it does alright on other systems and it lets me boot from others too.
 
Old 11-05-2007, 10:12 AM   #11
Vincent_Vega
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If your computer is set up to boot from a CD, grub won't even begin. The first thing that will happen is the computer will see a bootable CD and never make it to the bootloader. So the answer to your question is NO.
Check your BIOS setting if you can't boot from your XP disc. Are you sure that is a full version of XP and not an upgrade disc?
 
Old 11-05-2007, 10:28 AM   #12
Antoin
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It's a full version of xp, it boots up on other computers , grub does boot even though my BIOS is set to boot from cd first. Dunno what to do now, it goes to the screen "Press any key to boot from CD" then it goes blank and the hard drive indicator light stays on solid. All other types of bootable cds/dvds boot except the windows ones.
 
Old 11-05-2007, 10:37 AM   #13
Chargh
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vincent_Vega View Post
If you're going to try to migrate to linux, I have to suggest picking something better than Fedora. Ubuntu would definitely be a better choice in my opinion. Better than that even would be Slackware.
To get your dual-boot going, we'll need to know how your hard drive is partitioned. Post the output of:
fdisk -l
which will list the partitions within your system.

I find it unhelpful of you to try and push your distribution on him. Yes you did also provide help, but this is no time to advertise.
 
Old 11-05-2007, 11:43 AM   #14
Vincent_Vega
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Chargh,
I'm not pushing anything or, as you call it, advertising. I don't even use Ubuntu. And the fact that YOU find it unhelpful is completely irrelevant. You're not even part of this conversation! If you noticed, Antoin read my advice regarding his distro of choice and has chosen to stick with FC. Did I pursue that topic at all? NO. So please just go away unless you can actually contribute to this thread. Your post was pathetic.
 
Old 11-05-2007, 11:49 AM   #15
Vincent_Vega
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I assume you do "press any key" when that message appears! I really don't understand why that particular CD won't boot. Have you tried that XP disc in another computer, just in case it's damaged?
Since the plan you intend to follow is to completely wipe out your hard drive, you could put your FC disk back in and use the live-cd version and from there go ahead and partition your hard drive. That would remove grub and all of FC. Then insert the XP disc and see what happens. That's a little more risky because from that point on, if XP still won't load, you'll be stuck using a live-cd...or reinstalling FC.
 
  


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