SOLUTION
This muli-boot or dual boot method requires no Linux terminology or linux knowledge.
It's all done in Windows.
If your computer bypass Lilo or Grub and goes striaght to Windows
this is definitely for you
What you will need
---------------------
1. Download Mbrwiz.exe (freeware) -Google It
Note: Bootpart doesn't work on all Distros
2. Floppy or Flashdrive
3. Lilo or Grub (already installed on Linux)
[Most modern Distros include Lilo or Grub in the basic install nowadays]
---------------------
BEGIN
1. Boot to Windows
2. Open the Command Prompt
3. Extract Mbrwiz into C Drive
General Functions of MBRWiz
C:\>mbrwiz
MBRWiz - Version 1.52 for Windows XP/2K/PE November 13, 2003
Copyright (c) 2002-2003 Roger Layton
Usage: MBRWiz [/option]
/List List MBR Entries
/Disk=# Selects the disk to use. 0 is used if not specified
/Hide=# Hides the Partition number specified by #, or * for all
/Unhide=# Unhides the Partition number specified by #, or * for all
/Active=# Activates the Partition specified by #
/Inactive=# De-activates the Partition number specified by #, or * for all
/Del=# Deletes the partition specified by #
/Wipe=# 1=Wipes the MBR, 2-Wipes the first 63 sectors of disk
/Save=x Saves the MBR to filename 'x'
/Restore=x Reads and restores the Disk MBR from filename 'x'
/ShowFile=x Shows contents of an existing MBR backup file named 'x'
/BootMenu Allows user to select an active partition from a menu
/Sort Sort MBR Entries by disk location
/IsSorted Returns 0 if MBR partitions are already sorted
/Shutdown=# 1-Forces OS shutdown, 2-Forces OS Reboot
/Result Shows Errorlevel code
All funtions return 0 on success, > 0 on error
STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS
I. START (All OS must be already Installed on the drives or partitions)
(2 drives Method)
Example,
C:\>mbrwiz /list
Note: Results
MBRWiz - Version 1.52 for Windows XP/2K/PE November 13, 2003
Copyright (c) 2002-2003 Roger Layton
Disk: 0 Size= 76G
Pos MBRndx Type/Name Size Active Hide Start Sector Sectors
--- ------ ---------- ---- ------ ---- ------------ ------------
0 0 07-NTFS 76G Yes No 63 156,280,257
Disk: 1 Size= 38G
Pos MBRndx Type/Name Size Active Hide Start Sector Sectors
--- ------ ---------- ---- ------ ---- ------------ ------------
0 0 83-Linux 6.0G Yes No 63 12,284,937
1 1 05-FAT16x 32G No No 12,285,000 65,889,180
End of example
Note:
Disk:0 = Hard Drive 1st (WindowsXP Already Installed)
Disk:1 = Hard Drive 2nd (Mandriva Linux Already Installed)
In my results, mbrwiz says my linux is in Disk:1 and It's Active and type 83
II. BACKUP MBR (two drives)
(Immediately)
Backup (if no floppy,use the flashdrive (F
)
C:\>mbrwiz /disk=0 /save=A:\Backupfilename.bin
C:\>mbrwiz /disk=1 /save=A:\Backupfilename2.bin
To restore(done at the end)
C:\>mbrwiz /disk=0 /restore=A:\Backupfilename.bin
C:\>mbrwiz /disk=1 /restore=A:\Backupfilename2.bin
III. SAVE BOOTSECTOR (Linux Drive)
C:\>mbrwiz /disk=1 /save=A:\Linuxboot_filename.lnx
(if no floppy,use the Flashdrive(F
)
IV. CHECK[optional]
-
Example,
C:\>mbrwiz /showfile=A:\Linuxboot_filename.lnx
MBRWiz - Version 1.52 for Windows XP/2K/PE November 13, 2003
Copyright (c) 2002-2003 Roger Layton
Displaying contents of MBR from file:
A:\Linuxboot_filename.lnx
Pos MBRndx Type/Name Size Active Hide Start Sector Sectors
--- ------ ---------- ---- ------ ---- ------------ ------------
0 0 83-Linux 6.0G Yes No 63 12,284,937
1 1 05-FAT16x 32G No No 12,285,000 65,889,180
End of example.
Is it the same as the mbrwiz /list command? Yes
Additional Info:
To prove Bootpart wrong try this with bootpart lnx or bin file
--bootpart file will display unknown drives
V. COPY TO WINDOWS
Example,
A:\>copy Linuxboot_filename.lnx c:
1 file(s) copied.
VI. RESTORE (two drives)
C:\>mbrwiz /disk=0 /restore=A:\Backupfilename.bin
C:\>mbrwiz /disk=1 /restore=A:\Backupfilename2.bin
VII. BOOT.INI
Backup
C:\>copy boot.ini a:
Edit
C:\boot.ini
Example,
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=signature(eb86f6dd)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
signature(eb86f6dd)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect
C:\Linuxboot_filename.lnx="Anyname here"
end of example
Do not change the following information
this information varies in computers
-------------------------
default=signature(eb86f6dd)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
signature(eb86f6dd)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect
-----------------
Include quotes in "Anyname here"
Make sure timeout=30
Save file
do not rename "boot.ini" ever
Now Restart
VIII. FINISH
Now when your computer restart you will get the following option
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Anyname here
IX. CLOSING
if not satisfy
A:\>copy boot.ini c:
if you need partitions instructions Reply to let me know
remember it's all done in Windows
