i have just installed Linux mandrake 9.1alongside Win XP, when i boot up i get the Linux boot menu OK but i dont get an option for Windows XP

what have i done, have i broke it already ?.

i can can still boot into windows ok but it is a long winded process

tim

boot into linux and edit your /boot/grub/grub.conf or /etc/lilo.conf-depending on you are using grub or lilo.
in your grub.conf,

#
# Sample boot menu configuration file
#

# Boot automatically after a minute.
timeout 60 << here you time setting

# By default, boot the second entry.
default 1 << here you choose which OS run 1st

# Fallback to the first entry.
fallback 0

title Windows XP
rootnoverify (hd0,0)
chainloader +1
makeactive

# For booting Linux
title Linux
root (hd0,7)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.2.17 root=/dev/hda8
#end
-----------------
dont forget to replace hd0 with the one corresponding to your windows boot device drive.
if using lilo,
add the following to /etc/lilo.conf
#begin
other=/dev/hda2
label=w2k
#end
{you can see all your partitions and corresponding device drives using 'fdisk -l'

also
in grub,
hda is hd0
hda1 is (hd0,0)
hdb is hd1
hdb3 is (hd1,2)

thanks lads, i'll give that a go, fingers crossed.

tim

ok friend, i have found this file below in the etc/lilo.conf, what do i do to it, it only really needs two entries Linux and Win XP

my windows partition is hda, i see that is in the first line of the file ?, i'm confused.

i know that when this file is loaded on boot up it loads linux by default, i dont know what the others do, how can i edit it to have a choice of linux or windows.

at the moment the only way i have a choice is to use the CD1 and type F1, rescue and select either reinstall linux boot loader OR restore windows boot loader. any more help would be very much appreciated. tim


boot=/dev/hda
map=/boot/map
default="linux"
keytable=/boot/uk.klt
prompt
nowarn
timeout=100
message=/boot/message
menu-scheme=wb:bw:wb:bw
image=/boot/vmlinuz
label="linux"
root=/dev/hda3
initrd=/boot/initrd.img
append="devfs=mount hdc=ide-scsi acpi=off quiet"
vga=788
read-only
image=/boot/vmlinuz
label="linux-nonfb"
root=/dev/hda3
initrd=/boot/initrd.img
append="devfs=mount hdc=ide-scsi acpi=off"
read-only
image=/boot/vmlinuz
label="failsafe"
root=/dev/hda3
initrd=/boot/initrd.img
append="devfs=nomount hdc=ide-scsi acpi=off failsafe"
read-only
other=/dev/fd0
label="floppy"
unsafe

You havent got an entry for Windows at the moment.........if it is /dev/hda1 then

Put this in at the bottom

other = /dev/hda1
table = /dev/hda
label = "Windows"

then save the file

then type

/sbin/lilo

you can always change the default line later to Windows if you want but for now just try the above.

(boot=/dev/hda - this just tells you were LILO is installed to - in your case its the MBR)

i dont believe it, i have edited the file as you suggested kind sir, but i cant save it, i havent got permission !!!!!!!!!!!!!

tim

You need to be root user to edit lilo.conf succesfully

su
root password

kedit /etc/lilo.conf

sorry to bea bother mate, but where do i type that please

i thought i was the root user, the only user

tim

Open a Console - type it there

how and where do i do that please mate.

i am only beginner, so be gentle with me LOL, tim

K
Terminals
Console (Terminal Program)

su
root password

kedit /etc/lilo.conf

Put this in at the bottom

other = /dev/hda1
table = /dev/hda
label = "Windows"

then save the file

close it

then as root user again

/sbin/lilo

to make the changes take effect

ok i found something called KONSOLE
i type SU ok
but when i type root password

and root + my actual password

it says command not found



tim

its

su

not

SU

also when people say to type your root password they mean type your actuall root password - not the words "root password"

Thanks a lot mate i have succesfully done it and i am rather pleased with myself, i've been trying to get that sorted out all day !!!! LOL

perhaps i should start another post, but can i ask what the other items in the menu do, because i only need Linux and Windows XP ???

BTW i found out that spaces arent allowed in the Label



thanks again for your perciverance with me

tim