Linux and XP?

Holy Macaroni · 02-18-2003, 04:43 PM

ok, i'm currently running slack8.1 on my other box and once i stick an extra hard drive into my main (this one) box, i'm going to try and install of gentoo or freebsd. what i'd like some clarification on is what is the deal with XP and the MBR? i've heard some stories that everytime it boots, XP overwrites it or something. i'd just like some info before i go ahead with the install.

fancypiper · 02-18-2003, 04:47 PM

I think the trouble is that XP runs on NTFS rather than fat32 as does 98.

Try googling and board searching with terms like "Windows XP dual boot linux" or "NTFS linux dual boot", etc.

I'm sure you will find something.

prophet621 · 02-18-2003, 05:09 PM

Never had that problem. I have dual booted with XP pro and several distros. Mandrake 9, Red Hat 8, Knoppix, Libranet 2.0 (sort of, grub didn't seem to like xp, didn't want to boot into it) and currently have Xandros dual booting with XP. Never had XP overwrite the MBR. Don't know who told you that, either they don't know what they are talking about or THEY screwed something up.

The Ennead · 02-18-2003, 08:07 PM

What they may be refering to is that XP will overwrite the MBR when you install or reinstall it after a Linux distro. To dual boot XP + a.n.other, always put XP on first if the other os isn't MS based (i:e 95,98 etc) and you should be fine. Once it's on there is no overwriting of mbr's or anything.

For example, to run say, a triple boot of win 98 + win XP + Linux, then install in that order since 98 sees only itself, XP only sees itself + 98, but Linux will see all three.

poloktim · 02-19-2003, 01:53 AM

Wouldn't once you boot it XP present you with a boot menu saying "Microsoft Windows XP Whistler/Professional" on one line and "Microsoft Windows 98" on the other even if LILO/GRUB had already presented you with that same option though?