can i install linux first then install windows

ztdep · 01-16-2006, 07:15 AM

:
i want to know that can i first install then linux system ,an then install the windows sytem.
i am wandering that the linux system can not work again.
regards

MS3FGX · 01-16-2006, 07:25 AM

If you install Linux, then Windows, the Windows bootloader is going to overwrite whatever bootloader your Linux distro installed.

You could still boot into the installed Linux system with a boot disk or CD however. In fact, during the Linux install, you could chose not to install a bootloader at all, and just use a floppy to boot into the system.

So you could install Windows after Linux, but it is not the most convenient way of going about things.

Synt4x_3rr0r · 01-16-2006, 07:29 AM

Why would you install linux first? Or is it that you have linux already installed and want windows as well?
Then go with MS3FGX's solution.

nx5000 · 01-16-2006, 07:41 AM

Yes you can.

Download a knoppix bootable CD. You should always have one anyway, in case something goes wrong.

Install linux on for example hda1, I assume /boot is on the same partition as /
Install Windows ( which will silently erase any windows or linux bootloader without asking)

Boot knoppix
login as root, type

grub

root (hd0,0)
setup (hd0)
quit

reboot

You should get a menu asking if you want linux or windows.

zhelezov · 01-16-2006, 07:48 AM

hi, all!

the post-fix seems clear, but isn't there any clean way of doing things like installing the bootloader on a separate partition at the very begining or something like that?

thx

nx5000 · 01-16-2006, 08:04 AM

Maybe this:
http://www.geocities.com/epark/linux...w2k-HOWTO.html

If you find it cleaner..

I've never tried this and will never.
Maybe exist an other solution but it seems more a windows questions then.

doralsoral · 01-16-2006, 01:02 PM

if you install linux along with grub and then install windows you can use a rescue cd to boot up and reinstall grub to the mbr and it will be fine. ive done that many times.

thiagoeliasr · 01-17-2006, 08:44 AM

Like doralsoral said, you can install Windows, and use a Linux Disk Boot [or boot-cd] and re-install grub or lilo..
I use Slackware, so I've done this job booting with boot disk and then I've logged as root and entered: lilo
Slackware has installed lilo and everything will boot correctly next time..

See ya.. !
[and sorry for my bad english..]