Dual boot linux

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omechengineeru

New Member
Ok so im going to start running a dual boot system, the problem is i don't know which distro of linux i want. My friends run mint but i was thinking something like mandriva or Elive... what do you suggest for a mid-high level computer skilled person? I know most of you run ubuntu but i've never used linux b4 so I'll just be tinkering with it.
 
If you're "tinkering" then I'd go with some form of Ubuntu to start with regardless. It has the ease-of-transition for Windows users, yet still has a lot of advanced features you can delve into at a later time.

Kubuntu is pretty.

Xubuntu is basic.

Ubuntu is crisp and clean.

All offer a familiar interface and advanced command line functions, so the best of both worlds.
 
Make sure you have a PS/2 when going to install from a live cd with ubuntu. The initial phase of the installation simply won't proceed with a usb model keyboard until the drivers for usb support are loaded during the installation.

I found that out when trying to setup a dual of ubunu 8.10 64bit the latest release along with Mandriva 2009 on an extra drive I had free. Mandriva offers one thing not seen with the smaller distros however.

The installer will detect "any" other OS currently on the system and add the one or more into it's own boot loader taking charge of things more or less. When going to boot Windows will see two entries with one being "C:\Windows" and the second right under it showing "C:Windows1". The dual boot of XP and Vista here before saw XP as Windows3!

For seeing ubuntu or another small distro added into the Vista boot loader if you are running the newer version a free tool can help there quite a bit. The one thing to note however is that the Grub loader when going to install the distro selected must go to the root partition of the distro selected and not replace the Windows mbr entries.
 
Make sure you have a PS/2 when going to install from a live cd with ubuntu. The initial phase of the installation simply won't proceed with a usb model keyboard until the drivers for usb support are loaded during the installation.
Click to expand...

Do you just pull random shit from your ass and post it? I've looked through 5% limo-tinted windows before and seen things clearer than you.

<---USB Mouse and keyboard, and Live CD detects both just fine.

As always...you F. A. I. L.

<yawn> you're really making this too easy.
 
Ignoring the ignorance of some for obvious reasons if you are still running Ultimate 64 the tool to used in order to see any distro added into the Vista boot options is called EasyBCD found free at http://neosmart.net/dl.php?id=1 That includes a form of Grub4Dos called NeoGrub.

Before the outburst from a questionable source I was about to explain why you install any distro's boot loader to the root partition in order to see a working dual boot. Once Grub or Lilo is on the root you install NeoGrub into the Vista mbr in order to see the distro you decide on adding into the Vista boot menu with EasyBCD actually load up when selected.
 
ok kinda pi*sed off right now... i instaled kubuntu and now i can't even get windows to boot.... i installed it to a seperate ide drive (windows is on my sata RAID 0 drive) and now its giving me error 21 and failing to boot. What the heck is wrong... i like how kubuntu looked on site but now i can't even get my computer to boot. ..... so much for those Fallout 3 save files i guess
 
Where did you install the Grub or Lilo boot loader for kubuntu likely Grub? The mount point would also be the root partition otherwise the boot loader went into the Vista mbr. That can be repaired easy enough with the automatic startup repair tool Vista now sees on the installation dvd. Review the information including screenshots at http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial148.html

The automatic repair tool will geenerally repair/replace the boot files and information repaired on the spot once you boot up with the installation disk and enter into the repair tools section for the startup repair. I've had to use it here a few times between dual booting with XP and also trying to work with a few distros.

The one thing I did differently this time with ubuntu to see that version onto the root partition on a separate ide drive was unplug both sata drives I have in for the existing dual boot. Once ubuntu went on the installation of the latest 2009 release of Mandriva ran into some delays but would then see the NeoGrub in EasyBCD add Linux into the Vista boot loader.

NeoGrub is what is supposed installed into the Vista mbr not the Grub for the particular distro itself since EasyBCD sees the restore Vista mbr option included in the free tool. Once you have the Vista boot corrected and Windows is back running you will have to reinstall kubuntu with the Vista unplugged to see that Grub installed to the root(system files) partition also making that the mount point(/). Some good information on this is seen at http://www.linuxtopia.org/online_books/introduction_to_linux/linux_Mount_points.html

Meanwhile I see you have a Logitech G11 in your sig. I going to be replacing the Logitech cordless model here fast. That was used to replace an MS usb corded model that couldn't get past the MS license agreement where you pressed the F8. :rolleyes: With some usb keyboards like I was trying to explain earlier you can run into a snag.

The Logitech being cordless would see the F8 key work while I still keep a roll up PS/2 keyboard onhand anyways. For some reason GParted and the first prompt for both releases of Mandriva and ubuntu couldn't boot since the enter key on the Logitech "cordless" usb keyboard wouldn't do anything.

Out comes the roll up ps/2 $25 "indestructable" keyboard and wham all works as soon as that is plugged in just to press the enter key. Yet the Logitech replaced the MS Intellitype Multimedia Pro when reinstalling XP.
 
imsati said:
Do you just pull random shit from your ass and post it? I've looked through 5% limo-tinted windows before and seen things clearer than you.

<---USB Mouse and keyboard, and Live CD detects both just fine.

As always...you F. A. I. L.

<yawn> you're really making this too easy.
Click to expand...

whats this guys deal?

anyway. you can use gparted to make a partition for each OS and I would use ubuntu. I have just started using 8.10 and Ive found a few bugs but overall it looks ok. Ive been using 8.04 for a long time and it has worked perfectly. I'm not sure if either one comes with a bootloader but you can get one elsewhere if youd like. not completely sure. That is how I have done it for many of my systems after some poking around.
 
whats this guys deal?
Click to expand...
PC eye has the weird habit of "occasionally" posting rather questionable info (extra-wide IDE cables, uninstalling USB drivers thrashing Windows installation... oh and the time when DDR2-800 had real clockspeed of 400MHz but appears as DDR2-800 because of dual-channel), and when corrected denies it, and his "evidence" proving his point sometimes turns threads into flame wars or just plain hilarious n00b sh0wd0wns... imsati happens to be one of those people who apparently doesn't like the fact that he's not exactly in love with PC eye.
 
I wouldn't worry about someone else there since apparently he has never worked with enough dual and multiboots as well as various usb and usb cordless model keyboards to actually run into typical problems that can come up. He would rather run a smear campaign and should be ignored.

The OP here is trying to setup a dual boot between two separate hard drives where he went ahead with the installation before additional information could be provided on a few other things to watch out for like allowing the installer for the distro to install into the Vista mbr rather then seeing a custom install to the root partition also used as a mount point. The free tool includes it's own form of Grub4Dos you install into the Vista mbr before adding kubuntu or any other distro installed into the Vista boot loader.

Once omechengineeru sees the Vista mbr and boot information repaired he will need to temporary unplug the Vista host in order to see the Kubunu version of Grub installed to the root on the other drive preventing a repeat accident. Once done EasyBCD once on the Vista drive will do the rest by seeing the NeoGrub installed being part of the free tool and adding in the entry for Linux.

NeoGrub will see kubuntu load when selected from the Vista boot menu at startup. That's the go between for the two different OSs there.

FURTHER UPDATE:

While intending to go one step further seeing a second distro dual booted with ubuntu 8.10 on the third drive here I simply went ahead with ubuntu alone for illustrating the ease of setting up a dual or multiple boot with any Linux distro along with Vista. The Vista boot menu now sees ubuntu as well as the previous dual boot with XP added in. The additional thing to add in here is once you install NeoGrub while in EasyBCD and go to add the kubuntu entry first check off the box that states "grub will not be installed in boot sector" referring to Vista's own there. The screen captures here will show a working a triple boot.

First a view of the other drives even second partition on the Vista drive as well as the external usb drive as seen from ubuntu.



The second here shows what to look for when going to add the distro into the Vista BCD itself where you want this box checked off. The cursor points to it.

 
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People lets get back to helping someone that's interested in trying Linux?

a) Raid0 is a poor choice for dual booting. The reason: if an OS is installed on a Raid0, it is spread across two drives. Installing another OS will destroy the Raid0 set up thereby making the first OS unbootable.

b) The comment about USB keyboards not working with Live CD/DVD is wrong. I'm dual booting XP / openSUSE 11 on one machine and Vista / Fedora/ Ubuntu / Dream Linux on my test machine. Ubuntu, Dream and Fedora were all installed from a Livecd while using a usb wireless keyboard.

c) If you don't have a lot of experience with Linux, then let Grub (the boot loader) install to it's default location. Whether your running Xp or Vista, any of the recently released Linux distros will pick it up and add it as a boot option in Grub.

Unfortunately, I think your screwed and will have to reinstall Vista if it was on a Raid0 and you installed another OS.

:)
 
Carlton said:
People lets get back to helping someone that's interested in trying Linux?

a) Raid0 is a poor choice for dual booting. The reason: if an OS is installed on a Raid0, it is spread across two drives. Installing another OS will destroy the Raid0 set up thereby making the first OS unbootable.

b) The comment about USB keyboards not working with Live CD/DVD is wrong. I'm dual booting XP / openSUSE 11 on one machine and Vista / Fedora/ Ubuntu / Dream Linux on my test machine. Ubuntu, Dream and Fedora were all installed from a Livecd while using a usb wireless keyboard.

c) If you don't have a lot of experience with Linux, then let Grub (the boot loader) install to it's default location. Whether your running Xp or Vista, any of the recently released Linux distros will pick it up and add it as a boot option in Grub.

Unfortunately, I think your screwed and will have to reinstall Vista if it was on a Raid0 and you installed another OS.

:)
Click to expand...

You have it right on two things with A and C but still missed why any problems are seen with either a usb or usb cordless model keyboard with B there.

One example and why a Logitech cordless model was selected was due to the previous MS model usb with a PS/2 adaper saw nothing! when pressing the F8 key at the license agreement whenever going to reinstall XP. Pull out the roll up keyboard with a PS/2 plug on the end just to press F8 and go on to see XP finish. Even when using the PS/2 adapter the MS model fails with that too.

Second example is the Logitech cordless now in use easily saw XP reinstall and the F8 key worked at the license agreement and went on to finish the install. Even recently when booting with a live distro or GParted the enter key would work. But when installing ubuntu 8.10 64bit pressing the enter key at the first prompt that comes up did nothing. Pull out the roll up again! The same went for Mandriva 2009.

Another person running another brand and model cordless keyboard reports that a PS/2 adapter had to be bought separately when reaching the license agreement in XP. He wished he had had a standard keyboard onhand at the time.

Never say never! Every once in awhile booting live with anything will run into a simple snag. Once everything is loaded no further problems are seen since all default(usually generic) drivers are already loaded into memory for usb and input controllers. You simply haven't run into it yet! But give it a little time and you will.
 
PC eye said:
You have it right on two things with A and C but still missed why any problems are seen with either a usb or usb cordless model keyboard with B there.

One example and why a Logitech cordless model was selected was due to the previous MS model usb with a PS/2 adaper saw nothing!
Click to expand...

Two things I spot here:

1) If the keyboard doesn't support PS2, you cannot make it work by putting a usb-to-ps2 adapter on it.

2) If you need to use a usb keyboard, before the usb driver has been loaded, you must have legacy usb enabled in bios.
 
Another matter. If you want to play around with Linux for the first time, installing it in a virtual machine will make your life a lot easier.
 
Carlton said:
People lets get back to helping someone that's interested in trying Linux?

a) Raid0 is a poor choice for dual booting. The reason: if an OS is installed on a Raid0, it is spread across two drives. Installing another OS will destroy the Raid0 set up thereby making the first OS unbootable.

b) The comment about USB keyboards not working with Live CD/DVD is wrong. I'm dual booting XP / openSUSE 11 on one machine and Vista / Fedora/ Ubuntu / Dream Linux on my test machine. Ubuntu, Dream and Fedora were all installed from a Livecd while using a usb wireless keyboard.

c) If you don't have a lot of experience with Linux, then let Grub (the boot loader) install to it's default location. Whether your running Xp or Vista, any of the recently released Linux distros will pick it up and add it as a boot option in Grub.

Unfortunately, I think your screwed and will have to reinstall Vista if it was on a Raid0 and you installed another OS.

:)
Click to expand...




Strange update.... i ran into the exact problem you specified... however when i started to reinstall windows i threw a few bsods.... forcing me to have to once again format my hardrives.... but..... during format ... *bam*... bsod.... so i tryed DBAN .... errors..... it seems that a whole bunch of my sectors are faulty... so now i have to RMA my two WD drives....


So when my new ones come in you sugest what not using raid 0? That seems like a big performnce hit just to dual boot.... or is there a way to install linux on my ide drive and vista on my raid array? or is it too much trouble? in that case couldn't i just install them both on the raid drive?


THX GUYS
 
tyttebøvs said:
Two things I spot here:

1) If the keyboard doesn't support PS2, you cannot make it work by putting a usb-to-ps2 adapter on it.

2) If you need to use a usb keyboard, before the usb driver has been loaded, you must have legacy usb enabled in bios.
Click to expand...

The last usb keyboard here was bought prior to Vista's release being an MS Multimedia Pro with the Intellitype software there. Upon reaching the press F8 if you agree portion when installing XP it wouldn't work either in a port or with the PS/2 it comes with. That was an MS model there! :rolleyes:

The Logitech cordless ergonomics model now used solved that fast plus generally working well for pressing the enter key when reaching the initial prompts for GParted live as well as the different live distros tried out. But you will also see times when the keyboard simply won't be detected by the Linux distro or GParted which has seen quite a bit of use here.

That's when a standard even $5 cheapie PS/2 keyboard ends up being plugged in long enough to see the enter key pressed to get past the first prompt while booting. It's more of an annoyance then anything else.

tyttebøvs said:
Another matter. If you want to play around with Linux for the first time, installing it in a virtual machine will make your life a lot easier.
Click to expand...

I'm far from any first timer with Linux having run Fedora, Knoppix, Zenwalk, Mephis, Gentoo, and a few others for over 4yrs. at this point. But no dsl support has kept any distro from being kept on for any lengthy period of time. I'm still using 9x drivers since the ISP never released any never versions on Vista and none for Linux.
 
PC eye said:
But no dsl support has kept any distro from being kept on for any lengthy period of time. I'm still using 9x drivers since the ISP never released any never versions on Vista and none for Linux.
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What am I missing here?
a) No dsl support? Do you mean you need network or wireless drivers? If so, what's the model of your ethernet / wireless card.

b) What does your ISP have to do with anything. They provide internet access and that's it. They don't supply drivers.

You should start a new thread and list your problems. Meanwhile we'll stick to helping omechengineeru in this thread.

:)
 
omechengineeru said:
Strange update.... i ran into the exact problem you specified... however when i started to reinstall windows i threw a few bsods.... forcing me to have to once again format my hardrives.... but..... during format ... *bam*... bsod.... so i tryed DBAN .... errors..... it seems that a whole bunch of my sectors are faulty... so now i have to RMA my two WD drives....


So when my new ones come in you sugest what not using raid 0? That seems like a big performnce hit just to dual boot.... or is there a way to install linux on my ide drive and vista on my raid array? or is it too much trouble? in that case couldn't i just install them both on the raid drive?


THX GUYS
Click to expand...

Raid0 is for making two drives appear as one larger drive. It works but as you see, it has drawbacks. In my opinion it isn't a good option for dual booting. I'm not sure you can even get it working but if you do, it will break easily. As someone else mentioned, a virtual machine in a Raid set up should work quite well.

Check this out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redundant_array_of_independent_disks

If you'd still like to dual boot, which will give you a better idea of OS performance than a virtual machine, then don't use a Raid set up. Depending on the size of your hard drives, set up something like this:

Disk0 partitioned into three.
1) Windows 2) Linux and 3) Linux Swap (2x your physical ram is lots).

Disk1 is just one partition formatted as NTFS called /mystuff. This is where I keep all my pictures, music etc. It's quite easy to set up read / write so that I can always access my files no matter what OS I'm using.
:)
 
Carlton said:
What am I missing here?
a) No dsl support? Do you mean you need network or wireless drivers? If so, what's the model of your ethernet / wireless card.

b) What does your ISP have to do with anything. They provide internet access and that's it. They don't supply drivers.

You should start a new thread and list your problems. Meanwhile we'll stick to helping omechengineeru in this thread.

:)
Click to expand...

The original software/drivers for the dsl hub(hard wired connections) was for 98up. Since that time they went wireless with some places also seeing FIOS or fiber optics. Lately they did upgrade dsl here from 768kbps to 3mb however.

Drivers and software however are not downloadable from a separate site while the MS update site will see a supposedly newer version of the same drivers go on. Due to not seeing any working connection I end up back in Windows regardless of the distro I may be trying out.

As for seeing a working triple boot of Linux along with the existing dual boot of Vista with XP added in later I have each OS on a separate drive here with the one ide drive being split up for an intended dual boot of two not just one distro as well as the shared swap partition and one set aside for storing Linux files there.

The screenshot here will show what is seen in the Disk Management tool where the cursor is on the root which also sees the mount point. It depends on how you want to see the one or more drives layed out.



For a pair of sata drives here a dual boot between the two was practical since the XP drive will boot on it's own if the default boot drive is changed or the other drives are unplugged for some reason. Liikewise if the Vista or Linux drive is set as default those will also boot on their own.
 
Carlton said:
Raid0 is for making two drives appear as one larger drive. It works but as you see, it has drawbacks. In my opinion it isn't a good option for dual booting. I'm not sure you can even get it working but if you do, it will break easily. As someone else mentioned, a virtual machine in a Raid set up should work quite well.

Check this out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redundant_array_of_independent_disks

If you'd still like to dual boot, which will give you a better idea of OS performance than a virtual machine, then don't use a Raid set up. Depending on the size of your hard drives, set up something like this:

Disk0 partitioned into three.
1) Windows 2) Linux and 3) Linux Swap (2x your physical ram is lots).

Disk1 is just one partition formatted as NTFS called /mystuff. This is where I keep all my pictures, music etc. It's quite easy to set up read / write so that I can always access my files no matter what OS I'm using.
:)
Click to expand...



Ok so the plan is to dual boot on one drive partitioned and keep the other for medial files and the like... or should i put one os on one hdd and one on the other? what kind of performance difference am i going to see switching from RAID or normal drives? You say it wouldn't work with partitioning the raid drive? ... the reason i ask is i like the idea of using raid drives so i figure ill make sure they're not practical in this situation

Thanks for answering my question lol
 
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