Using 2 HD's with different OS??

fhameed · 09-01-2004, 05:53 AM

Hii everyone

Here is my problem

I've 2 HD's : The 1 has Windows XP on it and the 2 has linux on it.

What i want is

Use my linux HD has a master HD and windows XP as a slave HD and when i start my computer i be given a switch option 2 any of the OS in my grub loaded......that's i can either run my pc using windows or linux.....

if i'm 2 edit grub in this case where in linux will i find grub( or do i have 2 edit the windows boot loaded??)

but in either of the cases i should b able 2 access both HD's

I think SAMBA does that cuz i use SAMBA on my local network and it works just fine...please rectify me if i'm incorrect anywhere.

This way i would be saved from the trouble of changing the cables everytime i wanna use a particular OS and still can't access my data on both HD's

Please HELP!!!

Thanks

Fahad

Oliv' · 09-01-2004, 08:35 AM

Hi,

Well if your grub is correctly configured, you'll be able to choose which OS to boot.
Then If you boot Linux, you'll be able to access windows data (thanks to mount command)... Note that if your win partition is NTFS formated, write support for Linux is very experimental...
And if you boot from, you'll need a soft to explore your ext3 partition (I don't remember its name). If your partition is ReiserFS or something else, I don't know if there's a windows soft for that.

Oliv'

fhameed · 09-02-2004, 02:55 AM

Hii ya

Well my windows is NTFS formatted and i use red hat 9 distro on my other HD...

where is my grub located in my linux file system...in which directory

Thanks for looking into my query

anyone else plz ...

Fahad

rm6990 · 09-02-2004, 07:42 AM

Your grub settings file will be in 1 of 2 places (depends on distro). First check at /boot/grub/grub.conf. If that does not exist check /boot/grub/menu.lst. Also, all the partitions are going to have to be switched around in Grub because you are going to be flipping the HDs around, or have I misunderstood you? A quick question, flipping the HDs in my mind is pointless, it is of no benefit and you just create more work, why do you need them flipped. But, if you must, flip them and post your grub.conf/menu.lst to this board and tell me the partition layouts on each HDD (for instance, whether you have a home partition, which partition number your swap is...etc.etc.)

Edit: Ya, I'm not smart, made a mistake, just tell me whut u r planning on doing and post the file to here but dont flip the HDDs yet, if u do the system won't boot.

fhameed · 09-02-2004, 12:09 PM

Hii ya

what i plan 2 do is use 2 seperate HDs with different Os in them and connect them via cable as master n slave i think just like we do normal master n slace conf setup when using 2 HD's

But what i want at startup is a boot menu 2 providing me options with switching 2 any of the HD's and choosing OS of my choice...

this way i don't have 2 change the cable everytime i wanna use a particular os...remember i've 2 seperate HD's

i think the problem revolves around grub in my master HD containing linux...i need 2 modify it like u said or one way or the other

i'll do the experiments at the weekend...

anything further u or anyone else like 2 add or suggest

i

NLR · 09-02-2004, 01:42 PM

Well grub can do it, I don't know how though because I don't use grub and I have never configured grub. I know how you can do it using lilo though... I personal like lilo better too....

If you would like to use lilo I will give you the instructions below, other wise I hope it all works out:

You need to make use you have lilo installed first... do a lilo -V -v, older version of lilo cant boot a kernel thats outside the first 1024 cylinders (-+512MB), I know the latest version 22.5.9 can boot outside of that. So if this is a problem try upgrading its very easy.

Next you need to edit the lilo.conf file which is at /etc/lilo.conf.

you will want to be something like:

Code:

boot = /dev/hda (/dev/sda if you have SCSI)
prompt
timeout = 50
compact Much fast kernel load
vga = extended
image = /boot/vmlinuz-<Kernel Version>
     label = linux-<Kernel Version>
     root = /dev/hdax (x = partion number linux is on) (/dev/sdax if SCSI)
     read-only
other = /dev/hdbx (x = partion number windoze is on) (/dev/sdbx if SCSI)
      label = Micro$oft_Windoze
      table = /dev/hdb

Than run lilo if it all goes good you should be able to reboot and boot either linux or windows.

I know I did a bad job in explaining I have to go here, but if you get lost and don't understand just post and I will be glad to better explain....

Andrew

----

Andrew nrd.

fhameed · 09-07-2004, 02:58 PM

Hii ya

OK this is what i did so far...i managed 2 make linux as master HD and win xp as slave Xp and i can see windows xp drive from my linux drive

My win xp system is NTFS..how can i access all of my windows partition from linux and use it 2 my benefit.

I checked for grub.conf file in joe...but it was all blank...the only thing i could see in the editor was a line saying ERROR FILE....

anyways that i can play with on reinstalling linux...instead anyone has better idea where 2 find my boot loader in linux ,GRUB that's and how 2 configure it for multi OS boot options...

plus how 2 access my NTFS win parttions from linux..

thanks

Fahad

NLR · 09-07-2004, 03:25 PM

You grub config file should be in /boot/grub/ and it be something like grub.conf (i think, like I said I don't know anything about grub). Do you have root access when you edit grub config file? if not that is probley why your getting that error.

To access your NTFS partition you need to mount it. Though it mount it your kernel must have NTFS support.

try:

Code:

mount -t ntfs /dev/< Drive Device file > <mount point for your choice>

If you get a error about NTFS not support you have two choice.

1) Recompile the kernel with NTFS support (harder)
2) Install the linux-ntfs kernel modules (easier)

if can find the ntfs kernel module at: http://linux-ntfs.sourceforge.net/ and you can get the RPM at: http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/l...1.358.i586.rpm

I cant help with the grub... Maybe some one else can? Thanks.

Andrew

fhameed · 09-08-2004, 06:34 AM

Hello Andrew

Thanks a million ...ur info would definitely help me...

BTW i was looking at vmware.com for desktop PCs...

wonder software...do look into it and i'm on using ur solutions as well...
i was just thinking if it works on single processor pcs of normal users..i think i should..anways

I'll keep dropping by for a hello or just another question

Thank u all

Fahad