Install dual boot

JohnUSNret · 11-17-2014, 05:47 PM

Problem: Install Dual Boot
H/W: Acer Aspire ACZ-605-UR21
O/S: MS 8.1 (No recent experience with MS)
Background: Installfest helper and I installed Debian 7.6. But we did not install the boot loader - Therefore I have no options to select the Linux O/S.
Experience: Quit MS about 10 yrs ago, now using iMAC Current O/S. Have used Debian Linux occasionally. Installed Debian several times but on a dedicated computer.
Would appreciate help on installing boot loader - Thanks.
John > retarded(@)linuxmail.org

yancek · 11-17-2014, 06:26 PM

Your post seems a little cryptic. It seems you are using some Apple system and tried to install Debian without installing a bootloader, is that about it or am I totally off? If you didn't install a booloader for Debian, how were expecting to boot it? Did you modify the bootloader for the Apple OS (if you have one?) to include an menu entry for Debian?

jefro · 11-17-2014, 08:51 PM

Not a very PC email address.

My best suggestion would be to run a virtual machine. It still gets kind of sticky to run dual boot on secure boot uefi systems.

In an odd twist, it may be possible to boot the install you have right now with a vm.

In that same idea, it might be possible to run a usb/cd/dvd to boot to grub that can find and load debian.

Be sure you know how to recover Win 8 now before you get too far along.

JohnUSNret · 11-18-2014, 05:25 PM

Install Dual Boot revised:
Problem: Install Dual Boot on Acer Aspire ACZ-605-UR21, MS 8.1 with Debian 7.6 already installed but without Grub (dual boot loader). The helper, at an installfest omitted installing the loader, I did not realize it. Now I don’t know how to install the dual boot. No help around The Villages from the old folks!
John > retarded(@)linuxmail(.)org

jefro · 11-18-2014, 07:46 PM

You need some uefi/secure boot loader to load linux. You can chain load grub2 from windows bcd. What do you see at present.

Please don't post that email address.