Dual Boot Windows and Linux: Single and Multiple Hard Drives
- Author David Picella
- Published November 25, 2005
- Word count 563
The internet is full of technical articles, many of which are way too complicated for the average computer user who just wants to solve a simple problem. If you pay close attention, the internet is also a place where the “gurus” spend a lot of time yelling for help in discussion boards and forums. So don’t feel bad, nobody has all the answers.
So you want to dual boot Windows and Linux on the same computer—it is really quite easy. I only have enough room here to tell you the most common way to do this on a single hard drive or using multiple hard drives. Obviously then, there are many ways to get the job done, but there are some critical things you should know. Let’s start with some critical information.
Windows and Linux: Same Hard Drive
The windows operating system MUST occupy the master boot record (MBR). Linux, on the other hand does not have to. In this scenario, you must install windows first! After Windows has been successfully installed, then you can install Linux. This is critical! The Linux “boot loader” is called GRUB. When you install Linux—MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT INSTALL THE LINUX BOOT LOADER TO THE MBR.
Configure the Windows Boot Loader: A Two Step Process
It is also possible to use GRUB to dual boot Windows and Linux on the same drive but this is a bit more complex—the Windows boot loader will get the job done. In the following commands, you will create a copy of the Linux boot sector and then save it in a file in the top level directory under Windows (C:).
Step 1: Linux
From the shell in your Linux installation (boot from your installation disks):
Execute the following shell command, replacing /dev/hda3 with the location of your Linux boot partition.
shell# dd if=/dev/hda3 of=/bootsect.lnx bs=512 count=1
Copy the new file—bootsect.lnx—to a floppy disk and reboot to Windows.
Step 2: Windows
Copy bootsect.lnx to C: in Windows. Then execute the following command at the DOS prompt.
C:> attrib -H -R -S boot.ini
Edit boot.ini so that the first two lines are:
[boot loader]
timeout=30
After the last line, add:
c:bootsect.lnx=“Start Linux”
That’s it, you are done! Reboot your machine and you will see a menu allowing you to select either Windows or Linux. Congratulations.
Windows and Linux: Two Hard Drives
This is also quite easy. In this case, you will boot to the Linux drive. We will add Windows to the Linux boot loader (i.e., GRUB). GRUB is my favorite boot loader.
Edit the /boot/grub/grub.conf file. One of the very first lines should contain:
timeout=30
After the last line add:
title Start Windows
map (hd1) (hd0)
map (hd0) (hd1)
rootnoverify (hd1,0)
makeactive
chainloader +1
Reboot your machine to the Linux drive and you will see a menu allowing you to select between Linux or Windows. Nice work!
This article is obviously short and does not include any explanations of how these commands work. There are variations on what I have shown here depending on your hardware setup, but I believe that these are the most common and should get the job done nicely. I would be happy to direct you to additional resources if this does not work for you.
David Picella is a Family Nurse Practitioner and PhD Student at UW Milwaukee. You can find additional technichal resources for this article in the technology section at: http://www.majella.us
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- Meditation for Athletes
- My Lash Journey: Confessions of a Total Newbie
- How Does the U.S. Black Women’s Chamber of Commerce Champion Black Women-Owned Business Support and Development Nationwide?
- The Origin of Policeman's Heel: Uncovering the Name's History
- Why Foreclosure Defense Matters
- Why I’m Obsessed with Antique Armoires as Statement Home Bars
- The Sting: A Cinematic Con of Masterful Deception.
- Ranch Revival: Statement Doors & Artisanal Elegance
- Improving Foot Health with Toe Separator Socks
- The Pseudoscience of Reflexology: Fact or Fiction?
- Choosing the Right Wound Dressing: Foam, Hydrocolloid, and Alginate
- Charlie Chaplin: The Silent Genius Who Spoke to the World.
- Custom Domain Landing Page
- Christian Counseling A Unique Approach to Counseling
- Should You Do an Executive MBA After BBA Explained
- BBA Students Who Launched Million-Dollar Startups!
- Avatar: The Cinematic Revolution That Redefined Hollywood.
- How Does the U.S. Black Women’s Chamber of Commerce (USBWCC) Empower Black Women Entrepreneurs?
- Free Test Management Tools: Top Picks for QA 2025
- How to Get Placed FAST After BBA! Must-Know Tips!
- Exploring the Effectiveness of Magnetic Insoles
- The Top 5 Industries That Hire BBA Graduates
- How to Build a Personal Brand as a BBA Student!
- Wellness for Athletes
- Michael Mann: The Architect of Grit and Grandeur.
- Don't Risk A Gray Divorce!
- Mental Toughness Exercises
- No IIT? No Problem! BBA Can Get You Top Corporate Jobs!
- Can BBA Make You a Successful Business Leader?
- The Secret to Climbing the Corporate Ladder with BBA!