rebane
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Multiboot Win2k3, XP, linux
I want to install three OP systems to one drive. I've planned making 5 partitions.
[0-boot] [1-XP] [2-Win2003] [3-Linux]
I wish all the operating systems to put their boot files into their own partition. Here comes the first question:
How could I install XP and 2003 so they'd put their files neccessary for booting to their own partitions. I have seen that they always wish to put boot files into the first partiton available. (there should be no problem with linux)
Second problem is that i have to reinstall some of these OP Systems sometimes. How could it be possible to install some of them and not breaking the boot sector (MBR). Could i use boot sector virus protection from bios?
I plan to use some linux or other boot manager on the first partition.
[0-boot] [1-XP] [2-Win2003] [3-Linux]
I wish all the operating systems to put their boot files into their own partition. Here comes the first question:
How could I install XP and 2003 so they'd put their files neccessary for booting to their own partitions. I have seen that they always wish to put boot files into the first partiton available. (there should be no problem with linux)
Second problem is that i have to reinstall some of these OP Systems sometimes. How could it be possible to install some of them and not breaking the boot sector (MBR). Could i use boot sector virus protection from bios?
I plan to use some linux or other boot manager on the first partition.
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ps, re the 5 partitions you dont need 5, just have the 3 os partitions and the last one for your data, this is intended to be a common store im presuming, not sure how linux handles ntfs but perhaps fat32 might be better, do you have any security concerns?
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I'm not so sure about the windows side of it, but I think this should work (and the sequence of windowses could be reversed):
Install win2k3, it'll install on a partition and put a bootloader in the mbr
Install XP, it'll install on a partition and also put a bootloader in the mbr, overwriting the 2k3 one. So at this point you'll only be able to boot into XP
Install linux, let it install grub or lilo in the mbr and point it to the the windowses and the linux, now you'll be able to boot into your 3 different os'es
Now for the reinstalling part:
Make sure you have a boot floppy handy or an installation cd which can act as rescue cd (most of them should)
If you have to reinstall windows, it'll overwrite the mbr so you'll have to boot with the rescue floppy into your linux os, and from there make grub reinstall the same configuration in the mbr (something like grubinstall /dev/hda0 iirc)
Install win2k3, it'll install on a partition and put a bootloader in the mbr
Install XP, it'll install on a partition and also put a bootloader in the mbr, overwriting the 2k3 one. So at this point you'll only be able to boot into XP
Install linux, let it install grub or lilo in the mbr and point it to the the windowses and the linux, now you'll be able to boot into your 3 different os'es
Now for the reinstalling part:
Make sure you have a boot floppy handy or an installation cd which can act as rescue cd (most of them should)
If you have to reinstall windows, it'll overwrite the mbr so you'll have to boot with the rescue floppy into your linux os, and from there make grub reinstall the same configuration in the mbr (something like grubinstall /dev/hda0 iirc)
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There are five fine responses - split 75 each - grade B - accept roadhog for being first. - gsgi
you think my solution unworthy TheLearnedOne ?
I even learnt about linux partitions to be able to respond in more depth should he require
I even learnt about linux partitions to be able to respond in more depth should he require
roadhog_NZ maybe he missed the very first post - reading only your 2nd post without catching the first one // also tomvergote's post seems good -gsgi
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