Dual Boot Winxp / Linux
 

After many lost hours trying to install a dual boot system with WinXp and Linux, I'm looking forward that somewhere is a real Crack who can finally help me to solve my troubles. First of all I don't want to set lilo on MBR because of bad experience (Reinstalling Windows). So, my goal to start linux from the Winboot-loader...
I've installed RedHat 7.2 using LILO Boot-loader on the first sector of the boot partition and NOT ON MBR. A linux bootdisk has been successfully created... So, I can normally boot up WinXP and Linux will only boot up by using the appropriate bootdisk.

In Linux I created the bin-file using:
dd if=/dev/hdb2 of=/tmp/LiloBoot.bin bs=512 count=1
->
mcopy /tmp/LiloBoot.bin a:
->
Then I started Windows and copied the file to d:\
->
This I added to the boot.ini: d:\LiloBoot.bin="RH Linux 7.2"
Note: "I removed /fastdedect from Win entries because I heard this will ignore booting up Linux
->
Then I restarted the system and tried to boot up by choicing the Linux panel entry. No luck at all... The system restart again and come back to the boot menu...

So, in my opinion I set up everthing correctly und I'm wondering why it's not working. Below you'll find my hole system specification. I'd be very grateful if some could help me in that matter...

Tanks in advance for every reply *Cheers Marco

My System profile:
------------------
HD1 (60GB)
c: -> 1 Partition -> NTFS -> Win2000 (This I want to uninstall later)
d: -> 2 Partition -> NTFS -> WinXP (Main OS)

HD2 (10GB)
Linux Redhat 7.2

From Disk Druid:
----------------
dev/hda1 Win2000 NTFS
dev/hda2 Erweitert
dev/hda5 WinXP NTFS

dev/hdb1 Boot
dev/hdb2 EXT
dev/hdb3 Swap

------------------------------------------------------------------------

/dev/lilo.conf (created automatically by RH Installer):
-----------------------------------------------------------
prompt
timeout=50
default=linux
boot=/dev hdb1
map=/boot/message
lba32

image=/boot/umlinuz-2.4.7-10
initrd=/boot/initrd-2.4.7-10.img
read-only
root=/dev/hdb2
append="hdc=ide-scsi"

They don't look right to me.

/dev/hdb1 is /boot. Why this?

dd if=/dev/hdb2 of=/tmp/LiloBoot.bin bs=512 count=1

Then according to your lilo.conf
--
prompt
timeout=50
default=linux
boot=/dev hdb1
map=/boot/message
lba32

image=/boot/umlinuz-2.4.7-10
initrd=/boot/initrd-2.4.7-10.img
read-only
root=/dev/hdb2
append="hdc=ide-scsi"
--
Your partitions are uncommon. That could be a problem. If it's your first, I suggest you go for defaults: reformat HD2, do NOT make any /boot, either dedicate the entire disk to Linux or make it empty, boot to RH7.2. CD, use DiskDruid to make only ONE partition /, write lilo to /dev/hdb, write bootdisc, install, try bootdisc and then finally do the dualboot.

jetblackz, tanks for your reply...

You were right... The boot partion is hda2...

This I've already changed... My main problem was the hall.dll error by booting up linux. This was because I copied the LiloBoot.bin to my d-drive... The LiloBoot.bin must be on the first partition (for Windows always c:) otherwise you'll get the hall.dll error meassag by booting up linux...

Now it works.. YES!

Cheers mgroyal

Windows XP screws up, can't play many old games!

and linux is too tedious for users who want everything fast!!!!
suck!!!:cool:

Hey futurist:
Open mozilla or netscape and type:
about:mozilla
That tells you what Windows got coming!:cry:

This is what I did to dual boot Win2000 & Mandrake Linux 8.0:

1. Install Windows 2000. Partition part of it for Windows 2000 (either NTFS or FAT32 will work).

2. Install Linux (any distribution).

You have to follow the following two steps exactly:

a. When asked where to install LILO, DO NOT install LILO in the MBR (Master Boot Record), since this will overwrite Windows OS Loader and you may have to reinstall Windows 2000. Instead, install LILO in other partition (superblock of the root partition of Linux drive).
b. Create a Linux boot disk. For now, this will be your only way of booting up to Linux.

3. After you have finished installing Linux, boot up to Linux (use the Linux boot disk).

4. Dump Linux boot sector to a file. Type the following:
dd if=/dev/hda2 of=/bootsect.lnx bs=512 count=1
If your linux boot partition is not in the hda2 partition, change if=/dev/hda2 accordingly (use df to get the correct partition).
For example, if your linux boot partition is in hda3, change the command to:
dd if=/dev/hda3 of=/bootsect.lnx bs=512 count=1

Once you run this command, you will have bootsect.lnx file in "/" (root) directory.

5. Mount a DOS formatted disk. Type:
mount -t msdos /dev/fd0 /mnt

6. Copy the bootsect.lnx file to the diskette:
cp /bootsect.lnx /mnt

7. Boot up to Windows 2000 (by removing the Linux boot disk).

8. After booting up to Windows 2000, insert the DOS disk, and copy the file A:\bootsect.lnx to C:\ drive.

9. Edit C:\boot.ini. Usually this file is not visible. Start notepad, then open file C:\boot.ini. Add the following line to the bottom of the file:
C:\BOOTSECT.LNX="Linux"

10. Now reboot, and you will option to boot either to Windows or Linux.

Good Luck!