dual-boot with WinXP and Linux

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TRZALICA

dual-boot with WinXP and Linux

Post by TRZALICA »

I finally find some time to do dual-boot with WinXP and Linux...
I tried many things to accomplish this but only this method works for me.
Method from my previous post didn't work for me. This is the link from site on which is detailed tutorial but I will post only the most important steps here: http://thpc.info/dual/xp2knt/ntldr_dual ... _xp2k.html

Important part of tutorial (I will assume that you already have WinXP installed and created Linux partitions so I will skip to step 3 of this tutorial) :


3. Save the MBR (first 446 bytes - the IPL boot loader only).

Bootup from the Ubuntu Live CD and select Try Ubuntu without any change to your computer.
Open a Terminal (in Applications > Accessories > Terminal).
At the ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ prompt, type

Code: Select all

sudo dd if=/dev/hda of=bootsect.wxp bs=446 count=1
Confirm that Bootsect.wxp is in Ubuntu (in Places > Computer > Ubuntu).
Close any open window(s).
Do not reboot.

Note: If you have SATA HDD you will write sda insted of hda so it will look like:

Code: Select all

sudo dd if=/dev/sda of=bootsect.wxp bs=446 count=1
4. Install Linux. (You can skip 1st part of this step if you know how to make partitions and prepare them for installation!)

Double-click the Install icon on the desktop.
Select your Language, then your Location, and then your Keyboard layout (click Forward button after each).
GParted now opens automatically.

Create the Linux partition.
In Prepare disk space, select Manual, and click the Forward button.
In Prepare partitions, right-click Free space, and select New Partition.
In Type for the new partition, select Primary
In New partition size ..., select all available space (for Ubuntu), except 1 GB (for the Swap File)
In Location for the new partition, select Beginning.
In Use as:, select EXT3 journaling file system.
In Mount Point, select / (a forward slash).
Click the OK button.
Make sure the Format box is ticked for the new EXT3 partition.
Make sure the Mount Point is / (if not, right-click the EXT3 partition, select Edit, and correct it).

Create the Swap partition.
Now right-click the remaining Free space (about 800 MB), and select New Partition.
In Type for the new partition, select Logical (but Primary if you prefer).
In New partition size ..., use all available space.
In Location for the new partition, select Beginning.
In Use as:, select Swap area.
A Mount Point is not set for Linux's swap file partition.
Click the OK button.
Click Forward when ready, or click Undo changes to partitions to alter your changes.

In Who are you? enter and remember your username and password, and click Forward.
Deal with the Migrate Documents and Settings as suits you, and click Forward.
Read the content of the Ready to install window.

Locations for the GRUB boot loader.

Click the Advanced button and make sure the Install boot loader box is ticked.
You'll see the boot loader (GRUB) will be installed, by default, at the start of the first hard disk (hd0) replacing the Windows loader. Do not change this when using the procedure on this page. Click OK to exit Advanced
Click Back if you're unhappy with your selections.
Click Install when you're ready to install Linux.
Linux will now install itself on the new EXT3 partition and will place GRUB at the start of the first disk (hd0).

Click Continue using the live CD when installation is complete.
Do not click Restart now.

5. Create copy of Linux boot sector and return MBR's IPL

Open a Terminal. Type these two lines at the Prompt (press [Enter] after each):

Code: Select all

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

Code: Select all

sudo dd if=bootsect.wxp of=/dev/hda bs=446 count=1
Close the Terminal.
Note: If you have SATA HDD you will write sda insted of hda so it will look like:

Code: Select all

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

Code: Select all

sudo dd if=bootsect.wxp of=/dev/sda bs=446 count=1
Copy Bootsect.lnx to the NTFS drive or to floppy or to flash drive
(it's in Places > Computer > Ubuntu).
Restart now, remove the CD when it pops out, and press [Enter].
Windows will boot.

6. Let Windows know about the Ubuntu installation

Copy Bootsect.lnx to C: if it's not already there.
Edit C:\Boot.ini and add this line to bottom of the [operating systems] section:

Code: Select all

c:\bootsect.lnx=" Linux XYZ "
Note: In place of " Linux XYZ " you can/will write real name of your Linux distribution like, for example: " Linux Mint 13 "
Save Boot.ini and reboot!

Finished! Both operating system will now boot from the Windows-controlled boot menu. ;)

If you need more details visit the site given above!
oobetimer

Re: dual-boot with WinXP and Linux

Post by oobetimer »

Linux booting via Windows XP`s boot manager

Click the picture
Image
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slipstick
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Re: dual-boot with WinXP and Linux

Post by slipstick »

Another method which seems simpler is described here (Linux was already installed with GRUB on sda3, the Linux boot partition):

http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.p ... 58#p653348

Would this not work as well, without needing to copy and restore the MBR ?
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they ain't.
TRZALICA

Re: dual-boot with WinXP and Linux

Post by TRZALICA »

Hello there guys! :)

It's nice that there are other possibilities for this case although I tried instructions like @oobetimer posted and couldn't make dual-boot.
I tried many variables of similar instructions and only that which I posted worked for me...

@slipstick - if you follow my tutorial this will not work if you don't copy and restore MBR (I tried that).
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slipstick
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Re: dual-boot with WinXP and Linux

Post by slipstick »

TRZALICA wrote:@slipstick - if you follow my tutorial this will not work if you don't copy and restore MBR (I tried that).

I haven't tried either one, but if the alternate method referred to in my post above doesn't work, then why are some people saying that it worked for them, as in the thread I linked above, and in this one: http://forum.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=119598 ?

I plan to install LM soon (dual boot with XP) and would prefer to use a method that doesn't wipe out my Windows MBR, so I'd like to know in advance the simplest method to do that.
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they ain't.
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