Multiple Linux distros - keeping menu.lst updated?

[dorkdork777]

Hi, I'm sure this has been answered, but I can't seem to find it via search - I must be using the wrong words.

I have been thinking about installing Xubuntu as well as the Ubuntu I've got installed currently, as this PC isn't the fastest machine. It's fine for most things, but I definitely like the idea of a faster desktop.

What I'd like to know is this: As Ubuntu likes to add new kernel updates to GRUB's menu.lst, keeping two or more Ubuntu-based distros (Linux Mint, Xubuntu, etc) updated would involve adding a lot of stuff manually to one menu.lst, correct? I know it's possible to have several distros sharing the same /boot partition, but I have been recommended against doing this here.

I have looked at the chainloader info, but it seems very technical and I don't want to mess around with anything that might screw this system up... It's my main box, not a test machine, and as much as I enjoy fixing problems (I'm weird that way), I don't like fixing them in a panic when I've got stuff that needs to be done on a broken box.

So is there a simpler way of doing this? Will sharing a seperate /boot partition do the trick if I stick to just Ubuntu variants? Would that still run the risk of a corrupted menu.lst? Or does it not really matter anyway?

Thanks a lot in advance!

[owenll]

Originally Posted by dorkdork777 Hi, I'm sure this has been answered, but I can't seem to find it via search - I must be using the wrong words. I have been thinking about installing Xubuntu as well as the Ubuntu I've got installed currently, as this PC isn't the fastest machine. It's fine for most things, but I definitely like the idea of a faster desktop. What I'd like to know is this: As Ubuntu likes to add new kernel updates to GRUB's menu.lst, keeping two or more Ubuntu-based distros (Linux Mint, Xubuntu, etc) updated would involve adding a lot of stuff manually to one menu.lst, correct? I know it's possible to have several distros sharing the same /boot partition, but I have been recommended against doing this here. I have looked at the chainloader info, but it seems very technical and I don't want to mess around with anything that might screw this system up... It's my main box, not a test machine, and as much as I enjoy fixing problems (I'm weird that way), I don't like fixing them in a panic when I've got stuff that needs to be done on a broken box. So is there a simpler way of doing this? Will sharing a seperate /boot partition do the trick if I stick to just Ubuntu variants? Would that still run the risk of a corrupted menu.lst? Or does it not really matter anyway? Thanks a lot in advance!

+1

Learning how to install lmultiple linux distros is something that I would also like to learn how to do. But like you I have never been able to find a suitable guide, and working with Ubuntu full time (ie got rid of windows completely by now) I don't want to and can't afford to mess up my system.

[zvacet]

But like you I have never been able to find a suitable guide

Try this one.

[logos34]

Originally Posted by dorkdork777 So is there a simpler way of doing this? Will sharing a separate /boot partition do the trick if I stick to just Ubuntu variants? Would that still run the risk of a corrupted menu.lst? Or does it not really matter anyway?

Forget a /boot partition...what you want is a dedicated Grub partition. Use configfile or symlinks to point to the various OS kernels. The link zvacet provided above has a wealth of info--you might want to read all of it!

As for adding Xubuntu, the easiest way is to just install the xubuntu-desktop. Choose your desktop at login screen.

sudo apt-get install xubuntu-desktop