When I installed linux, I didn't install a bootloader. This is because I already dual-boot OSX86 and WinXP. I use the WinXP bootloader to boot WinXP or OSX. If I boot OSX, it sends me to chain0, the OSX bootloader which I can then choose OSX or WinXP. Does anyone know a way to boot all three?

I got this when I choose not to install a bootloader:
I tried GAG, but it isn't compatible with OSX


thanks for your help

I think WinXP can boot linux, but you have to install a bootloader to the root directory (not the MBR) and create a special boot file for windows. Here's a brief tutorial of one way to do it. I'm sure there's more if you google "dual boot xp linux ntldr".

XOSL is a nice boot manager. http://www.ranish.com/part/xosl.htm It should easily be able to accomplish all that you want. It DOES require a minimal FAT32 partition to install itself in, or alternately it can create it's own small partition. It needs extra space beyond the MBR because it's a graphical boot manager and can't squeeze itself in. XOSL does not use any more of track 0 after the MBR. I use XOSL to transfer to GRUB installed on /boot. I don't think XOSL can boot Linux directly without a little further help from GRUB or LILO.

Alternately, I would expect GRUB could do all this by itself as well. I've never used GRUB with OSX specifically, so I can't confirm this from personal experience. GRUB can be installed to the MBR. I believe it takes more of track 0 than just the MBR when your say "install to MBR", but don't quote me on that. I've never installed it to there personally. I know LILO extends beyond just the MBR, so I'm assuming GRUB does as well.

Duh... I actually use XOSL as well. You do have to have another bootloader in the root partition of the linux install and like haertig said, it requires a small (like 14 MB) partition to keep some files on, but it's really cool and works like a champ. I do feel that I had to install it from a floppy though. I wonder if you could do it from a CD...

There's more than 10 ways to skin a cat...

Task G2 of Just Booting Tips refers. Just adjust the instruction for hda6. The tool you need is a bootable Grub floppy, which should boot all 3 manually.

Either Grub or Lilo will boot all 3. Although I didn't mentioned in the link I did boot up a Darwin x86 with Task C1.

the only problem is I don't have a floppy drive.

Neither do I. I've installed XOSL many times. A couple of times off of a bootable CD-ROM, other times by creating a FAT32 partition from a bootable Windows installation, then download XOSL while in Windows and save to the FAT32, then make the FAT32 bootable, finagle the partition table so the FAT32 is the boot partition, etc., etc., etc. Best is to make yourself a bootable CD-ROM with all kinds of partitioning, formating, bootloading, hacking, repairing tools on it. Just cram it full of everything you can think of. Either a Linux LiveCD based thing or, God forbid, a MSDOS based thing.

Check out the Ultimate Boot CD. It looks like it has both GRUB and XOSL so you can probably get either one installed with this CD.