Hello All,

I am new to this forum and to linux.
I am trying to install Debian in dual boot
with my Win XP (NTFS), and I want NTLoader to remain
the boot loader.

I installed GRUB on the Linux partition (not on the MBR)
and also on a floppy disk, so now if I boot from the HD
the only option I get is my Win XP installation,
and if I boot from the floppy I get GRUB and I can choose
between the Win XP and the Debian installations.

I read that in order to make the Linux installation available
thru NTLoader I should use the DD command to copy the MBC
from the linux partition to the Win XP partition (NTFS).

I also heard in the past that I must not write to a NTFS partition
with linux because it can ruin it, so my questions are:

1.
will the NTFS partition be destroyed when I write to it
with the DD command ?

2.
and will I be able to write to my NTFS partition with linux, at all ?

3.
What's the story with writing to NTFS partitions with Linux ?


Any help appreciated.

Typically I would use dd to create a file and then copy the file to NTFS partition.

Yes, try using the NTFS-3G module. It's included in some distros, and others you'll have to install it. You may have to enable it yourself or modify /etc/fstab.

The new NTFS-3G module is really stable and fast. I've never lost data using it to this point, though I still only use it for system recovery (just because I'm cautious).

Even if it fails, you can probably repair the XP install by booting your XP install disc in rescue mode and using the repair option.

May want to take a look at WinGrub http://users.bigpond.net.au/hermanzone/p9.html