Linux Duall boot w/win2k

[K.C. Chan]

All,
I've want to Dual boot linux with win2k. But I want to use lilo to do it, I know you can peel off the boot sector in Linux and put into init boot file of win2k. But I don't want to use this method. Is there one where you can just modify Lilo to boot win2k? thanks.

[Kodjo Agbenu]

Hello,

In /etc/lilo.conf :

other=/dev/hda3 <--- Win2k partition
label=win2k

[Hal Rottenberg]

Here's some more details on the Linux+WindowsNT mini-HOWTO:

http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/mini/Linux+WinNT-3.html

[Jarle Bjorgeengen]

Hi,

I'm succesfully using GRUB to boot both my win2K partition, and my linux kernels.

It is easy to install, and you dont need to update the MBR (like with lilo) for any config changes.

My grub.conf
======================
# Boot automatically after 30 secs.
timeout 30
serial --unit=0 --speed=9600

# By default, boot the first entry.
default 0

# Fallback to the second entry.
fallback 1

# For booting Linux
title Linux 2.4.9-31-2nd
root (hd0,2)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.4.9-31-2nd root=/dev/hda5 console=ttyS0,9600n8 console=tty0

title Linux 2.4.9-31-first
root (hd0,2)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.4.9-31-first root=/dev/hda5

title Linux 2.4.2-2-apm
root (hd0,2)
kernel /vmlinuz root=/dev/hda5

title Linux 2.4.2-2
root (hd0,2)
kernel /vmlinuz/vmlinuz-2.4.2-2 root=/dev/hda5

title Windows 2000
rootnoverify (hd0,1)
makeactive
chainloader +1
=============================

Rgds Jarle

[Jeffrey S. Sims]

Aparently RedHat thought you might have this question so the latest under the brim newsletter had a link to http://www.redhat.com/advice/tips/ for this issue. Take a look if you wish, it is pretty thorough.

It reads:

There are a couple of ways to approach a dual boot.

In the first scenario, let's say you have an empty machine, and because you're a glutton for punishment, you want both Windows 2000/XP and Red Hat Linux. This is a bit like using Earl-shine on a Porsche, but here goes:
Partition. Use fdisk to create two partitions of appropriate size for your install.


Install Windows. You're on your own here. Time and many reboots go by...


Boot into the Red Hat Linux installer, and install into the second partition. All should go swimmingly, until you're faced with a choice between boot loaders and install locations.
If you wish to let Lilo or GRUB control the install, so be it. Either one *should* pick up the fact that Windows is already there and compensate.

If it doesn't, and your boot loader of choice only boots Linux, a lilo.conf entry should look like:

other=/dev/hda1
label=windows

A grub.conf entry should look like:

title windows
map (hd0,0) (hd0,2)
map (hd0,2) (hd0,0)
setup (hd0)
rootnoverify (hd0,2)
chainloader +1

(Hint: type "info grub" at a command prompt for a full breakdown of what this entry means.)

You may choose to let another boot loader handle the install, in which case you will want to:

Boot into Linux and copy the boot image from the first sector of your boot partition. You'll want to take 512 bytes of this partition once, and write it out to a file called bootsect.lnx. The entry should look like:

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

Move that file onto your c:\ drive and edit boot.ini, adding the following line:

c:\bootsect.lnx="Linux"

On to the second, more common scenario. It's likely that you already have Windows and are testing the waters, taking a class, or planing to migrate. Or maybe you just want to get something done without crashing for a change.

In this case:
Scandisk, defrag, and empty your recycle bin (unless you want a clump of cruft at the end of your drive.)


Repartition your drive with fips (or something similar). Don't bother trying to format this partition--you'll only wipe it out later and certain 3rd party formatting doesn't go right.


Enter the Red Hat Linux installer and proceed through the install using the second partition as your target drive.
(Hint: make sure to create a boot disk. If something goes wrong, you want to at least be able to get into one of the OS's.)

Check out the helpful dual booting HOW-TO's at:


http://www.tldp.org

And read the lilo and/or grub info pages, for some of the other possible scenarios, or activate your support entitlement and call our hotline.


See newsletter do come in helpful every once in a while.

Hope it helps.