Dual Boot

Dudeking · 02-25-2006, 03:21 PM

New to this forum and newish to linux.
I downloaded Slackware 10.2 Last year some time and not used it much.
I installed it and ran it for about a mounth but it killed windows XP when it installed.

I am now learning Python and want to use a linux enviroment rather than windows.
What would be the best way to setup the dual boot?

I asked on Cybertechhelp (cant post a link) about this and will probily go with there sugestion but the slackware homepage pointed me here and thought id get a second oppion as I can't risk XP dieing again.

Thanks Dudeking

187807 · 02-25-2006, 03:44 PM

First, Welcome to LQ!!

Here is one method I used when dual booting XP and linux (which will use the Windows bootloader instead of lilo or grub):

I installed WinXP (which wrote Windows' bootloader to MBR, as usual). I installed WinXP onto FAT32 filesystem, not NTFS.

I installed my Slackware into a partition I had created for it. When installing lilo in the install process, I told it to install to the superblock of my slackware partition (/dev/hdb2 in my case) instead of the MBR (this leaves Windows bootloader on MBR).

Only thing left is to tell Windows bootloader how to boot linux. The command (run in linux):

Code:

dd if=/dev/hdb2 of=bootsect.lnx bs=512 count=1

will do make a 'bootsect.lnx' file that we need (this command must be re-run whenever you change lilo.conf and note that my example uses if=/dev/hdb2 since that is my linux partition).

Just copy this 'bootsect.lnx' file to your Windows C:\ (again, I used FAT32 for this).

Then in C:\boot.ini you can add a line so it might look like:

Code:

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
c:\bootsect.lnx="Slackware"

This method does work, although you may choose a different route.

[Edit: typo] [Edit2: typo again]

cwwilson721 · 02-25-2006, 05:01 PM

Can also use lilo, too, as long as XP is on first HDD. Use 'Expert' option, and have it install to MBR. Whichever OS you choose first will be the default boot choice in lilo.

syg00 · 02-25-2006, 05:19 PM

I'd be surprised if you actually did kill XP.
Go with cwwilson721 advice - should work fine.

If you have trouble with XP, ask here first before re-installing anything. The solution is likely to be a quite simple update to the lilo conf file.

Dudeking · 02-26-2006, 03:53 AM

Humm im thinking of going with 187807's idea.
It looks quite simple and makes sence.
Last time I install slackware I told it to add to the Primary partitions MBR.
Which Killed XP.

IceChant · 02-26-2006, 04:15 AM

You can add linux to to your windows bootloader by using bootpart within windows.

syg00 · 02-26-2006, 04:15 AM

Should work o.k., however, I'm willing to bet you didn't kill XP, you merely lost the ability to load it. Easily fixed.

You will (eventually) get sick to death of redoing the copy every time you run lilo.
Actually, you'll probably get sick of forgetting - and finding Slack non-bootable.
Pat really has to rethink the decision of only offering lilo as a bootloader option - grub only needs this copy operation done once. One of it's many advantages.
Best option is a (any, even lilo) Linux loader in the MBR, but the choice is yours.

Randux · 02-26-2006, 07:39 AM

I don't know guys, I'm new to linux and lilo, and after I got the hang of it, it couldn't be easier. This stuff just works great, absolutely no problems. Install lilo in the MBR and just start enjoying your system.

Rand
happily multi-booting with lilo

Dudeking · 02-27-2006, 05:40 AM

Tryed what 187807 said and it didnt work.
Gave me the option to boot from slackware but when selceted just said disk read error.
XP still boots fine.

Will this work:-
Post 18

ht tp://www .cybertechhelp .com/forums/showthread.php?p=559730#post559730 -(remove all the spaces first)

Thanks dudeking

mikieboy · 02-27-2006, 08:11 AM

I recommend you read everything syg00 wrote and then go and read a good tutorial on Grub. It is easily the best bootloader for a dual boot system. I say that as one who has had Lilo foobar my MBR! Grub rocks.

Alien_Hominid · 02-27-2006, 01:22 PM

Lilo automatically sets windows booting ability during slackware installation. Just use it.

Randux · 02-27-2006, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alien_Hominid

Lilo automatically sets windows booting ability during slackware installation. Just use it.

Just make sure you have only one disk drive, and no usb key plugged in, and no BIOS MBR protection...and...and...and...

A lot of guys are having problems with the liloconfig script not working. Lilo does work fine, but it is not without a little confusion sometimes.