hkq37
December 4th, 2007, 03:42 AM
I hesitate to post this in the tech forums because it may not be a sound method to dual boot so I will post it here to get some opinions
This is my own personal workaround I have been using for quite some time now - after getting 'messed up' with boot loader menus (like LILO and GRUB ) and it's what it suits my level of competence ( low).
Like many new users I had dual boot problems.. messing up my MBR... being stuck with boot loaders after uninstallations.. essentially I am not confident in using them.
Because I have 2 hard drives ( 1 for Xp, 1 for Linux) I just installed each operating system completely independent of each other ( i.e. I removed/unplugged the second one when I did my installs).
After installing each operating system I plugged my drives back into my motherboard and set my BIOS to choose which disk I usually want to boot from - my default OS
If I want the other OS to boot I press F11 during start up which brings up the disks and devicesboot menu then you can choose the other hard drive ( you have to remember which is which - easy it one is a Samsung and the other a Maxtor :P)
I understand its a very basic technique, but it keeps it simple and can seperate XP and Linux in your bootup options.
It may be something to consider if:
You have 2 disk drives
Are not sure or don't want to use GRUB
Want to have a dual booting computer
Your BIOS supports it ( most will now a days)
*BTW*
People who wish to , once they gain sufficient confidence, could still from this point switch to GRUB in the usual manner.
This is my own personal workaround I have been using for quite some time now - after getting 'messed up' with boot loader menus (like LILO and GRUB ) and it's what it suits my level of competence ( low).
Like many new users I had dual boot problems.. messing up my MBR... being stuck with boot loaders after uninstallations.. essentially I am not confident in using them.
Because I have 2 hard drives ( 1 for Xp, 1 for Linux) I just installed each operating system completely independent of each other ( i.e. I removed/unplugged the second one when I did my installs).
After installing each operating system I plugged my drives back into my motherboard and set my BIOS to choose which disk I usually want to boot from - my default OS
If I want the other OS to boot I press F11 during start up which brings up the disks and devicesboot menu then you can choose the other hard drive ( you have to remember which is which - easy it one is a Samsung and the other a Maxtor :P)
I understand its a very basic technique, but it keeps it simple and can seperate XP and Linux in your bootup options.
It may be something to consider if:
You have 2 disk drives
Are not sure or don't want to use GRUB
Want to have a dual booting computer
Your BIOS supports it ( most will now a days)
*BTW*
People who wish to , once they gain sufficient confidence, could still from this point switch to GRUB in the usual manner.