Bootloader questions for XP and RH9 dual boot

[mantas]

I am about to install RH9 on a second HD on a computer running xp. I have previously sucessfully installed a dualboot
with RH9 and Me. But I have some questions about using the xp bootloader. I found some help O'reillys Linux in a Nutshell but I still have some questions.
I would like to add RH9 as an option to the xp bootloader.
1)During the rh9 install do I select the 'no bootloader' option? and create a boot floppy?
2) If I selected the 'no bootloader' option will I have a grub config file that I can access? If not, how do I create one?

Anything elso to watch out for when installing linux with xp?

Thanks

[mf-2HD]

If you select N0 BOOTLOADER, none will be installed.

If you click Yes to bootloader, Grub will be installed into the MBR.

You will also be given the option to make a bootdisk too, I would suggest you click yes to that too.:) :) :)

[mart_man00]

Any reason why your not just using Grub/Lilo? It works with Windows fine(including XP). Not hard to configure either.

[mantas]

Any reason why your not just using Grub/Lilo? It works with Windows fine(including XP). Not hard to configure either.

I was under the impression that WinXp, using the NT bootloader, does not like it when another bootloader is added.

[mantas]

Any reason why your not just using Grub/Lilo? It works with Windows fine(including XP). Not hard to configure either.

I was under the impression that WinXp, using the NT bootloader, does not like it when another bootloader is added.

Another reason that I would like to keep the xp bootloader is, that I am currently having problems with an old Me computer that used to dual boot with RH. I can't get the old windows bootloader back (using fdsk /mbr) so now I can only use that drive as a slave, I can't get it to find the OS.

If I install GRUB on the MBR during the instillation and I at some point remove the second harddrive (the one with RH9 and probably some other Linux to try out) will I be able to boot the Windows partition?
I assumed the boot information is located in /boot on the Linux drive?

Thanks

[MorphiusFaydal]

if you have your XP install disk, just boot off of that, go to a rescue console and type '/fixmbr'

that will clear the master boot record and XP will boot normally again

chris

[mantas]

if you have your XP install disk, just boot off of that, go to a rescue console and type '/fixmbr'

No, I got OEM
But will it work with the boot/start-up disk?
Also, can I use /fixmbr on the Win Me computer?

Thanks

[MorphiusFaydal]

Originally posted by mantas
No, I got OEM
But will it work with the boot/start-up disk?
Also, can I use /fixmbr on the Win Me computer?

Thanks

which OEM did you get? pre-installed on a package machine, or the OEM version that you buy?

i am going to assume the prepackaged pc so.... it all depends on the manufacturer, you may be able to get to a recovery console, you may not.... booting off of a floppy.. you would have to try it, i dont know, i have the OEM purchased with pc parts version, so i just use the CD...

you can clear the mbr on the ME computer, but the ME disk doesnt have the recovery console, but if you have an ME bootdisk with the FDISK utility, i believe that you can do an 'fdisk mbr' but i am not sure.. i think i have heard of people using that, but ive never had cause to try it..

HTH,

Chris

[Icarus]

Originally posted by mantas
I was under the impression that WinXp, using the NT bootloader, does not like it when another bootloader is added. Since when? 1998? :p

I've installed GRUB as the bootloader on many win2k and winxp installs and I've never seen a problem

You are right about removing the Linux drive and GRUB not working (correctly). fdisk /mbr will remove GRUB from the MBR, the Windows bootloader takes place in the first partition and doesn't really use the MBR (much)

or if you are planning on putting the Linux drive back you can use the GRUB console to boot Windows (enter after each line)

rootnoverify (hd0,0)
chainloader +1
makeactive
boot

[mantas]

Alright, I'm really confused now.
If I want to install Linux on the second drive and I want to be able to remove that drive without having any boot problems with the remaining Windows drive, how do I do that?

I assume the answer will be: use the XP bootloader.
Then my question becomes, how do I install RH and edit the boot.ini.

[MorphiusFaydal]

install Red Hat normally (why red hat? why not update to fedora?), selecting 'No Boot Loader' when it comes to that step..

as for the NT bootloader? couldnt help ya.. ive always used LILO and GRUB, never wanted to go winblows only, so if i fsck up my linux, i always reinstall, sometimes trying out a new distro..

Chris

[Icarus]

This is the best I could find on that, sorry, it's a really messy site with too many adds and a nasty color scheme...it's detailed about halfway through at the "Accepted Answer"
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Operating_Systems/Linux/Linux_Setup/Q_20794661.html

[mantas]

Thanks Mahdi,
I will go get my new hd tomorrow ($79 for 160gig, can't beat that), and give it a try.

(why red hat? why not update to fedora?),
Simply because I have the rh cds handy.
I also have Mandrake 9.2, which I will try out next week-end.

[j79zlr]

You can use Windows bootloader to access linux, I wrote a small tutorial on how to do this: http://www.j79zlr.com/linux/index.php?page=boot