Hey All,

I've been working on setting up a triple-boot Vista/XP/Linux system and am pretty close to success. My major concern, however, is the fast frequency at which new Linux distros are released. Because of this, I'm trying to figure out the best way to perform a clean install of Linux to a single partition and keep Vista's bootloader (which loads all 3 OSs) completely intact (i.e. no GRUB installation).

I've already ironed out a longer process which involves installing some Linux distro w/ GRUB, backing up its boot parameters in a ".bin" file, repairing Vista's bootloader, and then re-adding the ".bin" file to XP's "boot.ini".

After noticing that, for example, Fedora 7 (I'm not sure about Ubuntu), gives the option to not install GRUB, I started wondering how much I could shorten the above-said process (for users who frequently switch or re-install their Linux distro).

Here's what I've got: if I can install the Linux distro without GRUB and then still boot into the Linux distro in some way (Note: I'd really prefer if someone could tell me a way to boot into the Linux distro via the distro's installation CD/DVD, as this would make the whole process a great deal easier), then I'll be able to copy the boot parameters into the ".bin" file, restore it in XP, and substantially cut down the steps required to complete this process.

Recap: is it possible to boot a Linux distro - at least for Fedora/Ubuntu - from its installation CD/DVD without installing a bootloader to the MBR?

Thanks (very much!) in advance,
-Peter

Install disk will have a 'boot from hard disk' option

if you concerned about fast release cycles, you might want to get away from fedora.

ubuntu would probally be better, slackware or debian may be best.


If you want a redhat product, look into centos.

Kahless - I actually prefer the fast release cycles; I just also need a method to upgrade, reinstall, or switch distros which can quickly and easily return bootloader control to Vista.

The_JinJ - I just tried it. I only get a black screen which says "PRESS A KEY TO REBOOT"... and whenever I press a key, it reboots. Do I need to pass it some kind of a parameter? Perhaps something which will tell it to boot from a certain partition (the one containing my linux installation)?

With Ubuntu you have the option of putting the GRUB pointer in the boot sector of the root partition. This leaves the MBR untouched. Haven't played with FC but I'd bet its installer has a similar option.
Illustrated Dual Boot - Good boot loader info here.