Could I avoid GRUB and keep my bootmanager?

skoupas · 12-26-2005, 11:23 AM

I want to install SuSE 9.3 to a primary partition (26GB) that already exists. I have a boot manager installed from where I can choose between Windows XP (NTFS) and the primary partition of 26GB (with no File System yet).

My question is if I can install SuSE and keep the boot manager that I currently have (i.e. not to install GRUB from SuSE).

If avoiding GRUB installation is possible; is there something that I should do during SuSE’s installation to achieve this?

alaskazimm · 12-26-2005, 12:11 PM

Do you mean using the bootloader that comes with Windows (ntloader)? Yes, you can use that but it is a bit of work to get it set up because Windows doesn't want to play nice with other OS's. Just search these forums or google and there are pleanty of help in setting up the Windows bootloader.

However, GRUB and LILO do just fine in dual booting. In the several years that I've used Linux, I never had a problem using either. So unless there is a compelling reason to use the Windows bootloader, stick with GRUB. It's far easier.

bigrigdriver · 12-26-2005, 03:37 PM

You can install SuSE to the partition. During the process, you will be prompted in re where to install grub. Be very carefull with your selections. Install grub to the root of the SuSE partition, not to the MBR.

It might be something as simple as checking a checkbox, or unchecking it (I don't remember which. It's been a while since I installed SuSE).

When you choose to boot SuSE from your current bootloader, the bootloader won't actually boot SuSE. It will hand the boot process over to grub, which will then boot SuSE.