Dual Booting Linux with Windows XP

Erich · 22-08-2008, 06:26 AM

Recently I set off to RAID 1 my computer and decided that while I was messing with my drivers I should go ahead and install Ubuntu 8.04 LTS (64bit AMD and Intel) as well. I decided to create a dual booting system which would allow me to use Ubuntu and the much more familiar Windows XP. After setting the RAID, I went ahead and installed Ubuntu as specified in the following guide: Dual-Booting Windows XP/Vista And Ubuntu 7.04 | HowtoForge - Linux Howtos and Tutorials. I followed every single step and the installation went through smoothly. However, at the moment of rebooting the system, there was no dual-booting screen that allowed me to choose between Windows XP and Ubuntu. Instead, it just went ahead and booted Windows XP as if there was no other OS installed.

After doing some research, I found another guide that instructed me to create an addition EXT3 partition and mount it to “/boot” (How-to Dual Boot Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron and Windows (NT/XP/Vista) Shailen Sobhee : Blog). I reinstalled Ubuntu but this time I created the boot partition as specified in the guide. Unfortunately, the results were the same.

Since then, I have research the topic further but found somewhat contradictory information. Some sources say that Ubuntu should automatically implement the GRUB as the system’s boot loader while others say that a manual modification of the MBR is necessary. At this point I have no idea what to do. How can I fix this?

Thanks

rokytnji · 22-08-2008, 10:38 AM

Because you set up Ubuntu on a seperate hardrive the Bootloader Grub is on that hardrive also. So When you start up from a cold boot your bios which is set to boot from a predeterimed hardrive set in the bootorder picks that hardrive which also happens to have your Windows XP installed on it. You can physically unplug the hardrive that you know has Windows XP in it to check if I am right.

I haven't read the Dual Boot xP tutorial so I am not sure if it covered a hardware Raid array setup. If you used the Windows software raid array option (which I have never used or am familiar with on how to operate) then it looks to me that you should be looking into whats wrong with your raid array setup because Ubuntus bootloader Grub is installed on the same hardrive as the Ubuntu operating system is installed on. Just like Windows XP bootloader is installed on the hardrive Windows xp is installed on.

Dual booting usually means that you section off the hardive that Windows is on
And use that section to install Ubuntu. While Ubuntu installs, Ubuntus bootloader, "GRUB" takes over as the primary bootloader FOR THAT HARDRIVE. Windows is added to Grubs list automatically . Windows bootloader is not being used anymore. I hope this clarifys why you are not seeing Ubuntu boot up and only Windows comes up instead. I see your only options is to set which hardrive boots, and keep in mind I don't know if your bios supports this, and set the bios boot order to boot from the hardrive with Ubuntu on it first. Then when you want Windows XP to boot, Put the hardrive that has Windows on
it as the 1st item in boot order.

rokytnji · 22-08-2008, 10:47 AM

I just read the 1st paragraph Shallen Sobees Blog and it states

Step one:

Say you have a 40GB hard drive. Install Windows choosing 20GB (or greater, but keep at least 10 GB for ubuntu). I am not giving screen-shots for the Windows installation, because i guess that everyone knows about that. The setup procedures are well explained there anyway, but if you have any problems, post a comment, I shall edit this article.

Which means that his tutorial is for installing Ubuntu on the same hardrive that Windows is on, Which does not apply to your situation.

rokytnji · 22-08-2008, 10:59 AM

Just read the beginning of the How To Forge dual boot tutorial and it only talks about partioning off your hardrive that Windows XP is installed on and giving that sectionto Ubuntu.

It looks like U have 2 different operating systems with 2 different bootloaders on 2 different hardrives So short of switching boot order in bios or physically unplugging 1 to let the other boot I don't see any other options.

rokytnji · 22-08-2008, 11:05 AM

"I followed every single step and the installation went through smoothly. However, at the moment of rebooting the system, there was no dual-booting screen that allowed me to choose between Windows XP and Ubuntu. Instead, it just went ahead and booted Windows XP as if there was no other OS installed."

No other operating system was installed . Its on a seperate hardrive.

Erich · 22-08-2008, 09:18 PM

My current RAID set up (RAID 1) mirrors all the data installed in the first hard drive (HD A) to the second hard drive (HD B). Because of this, I just went ahead and installed Ubuntu in HD A which contains Windows XP. When I go to the BIOS, the booting order reads only one HD (I am assuming the RAID setup indentifies both hard drives as one because of the RAID 1 configuration).

However, now that you are mentioning this, I did notice something odd during the Ubuntu installation. At the time of manipulating the partitions to install Ubuntu, the partitioner allowed me to choose between the free space in HD A and the free space in HD B. Even though I installed Ubuntu in HD A to avoid this kind of situation, as far as I know, it shouldn’t allow me that option since all HD B is doing is mirroring whatever is in HD A.

I went ahead and tried what you suggested and it worked! First disconnected HD A (the hard drive that has Windows XP and Ubuntu) and the RAID setup worked as expected. It announced that HD A was not part of the configuration and it went ahead and loaded the mirrored Windows XP in HD B. However, when I disconnected HD B and booted the computer with HD A I got the dual booting screen allowing me to choose between Ubuntu and Windows XP. That time, however, the RAID setup announced that HD B had “failed”. So I went ahead and booted Ubuntu to make sure everything is fine and then Windows XP. After Windows XP loaded I rebooted the computer both drives connected. The Intel RAID program did a 2 hour scan to actualize the information in both hard drives. After the scan, I tried disconnecting HD B again to load Ubuntu again but this time the boot screen didn’t appear. The only difference this time is that the RAID setup didn’t say that HD B had failed. Instead it said that it was not part of configuration (basically, that it wasn’t connected).

As of this point it looks to me like I have to decide between keeping my current RAID setup or running Ubuntu. Is there anyway I can do both?

Thanks

rokytnji · 22-08-2008, 10:02 PM

Erich, Better minds than mine know the answer to that because I don't know diddly squat about raid setups. My advice is to go to my Help for Linux users thread and use the links that connect you to the different forums and register there and post or search my how to links to see if they have a tutorial for your specific situation. I'm just a Biker that is a self taught Linux user. All my systems are single hardrive units. Sorry I can't be of more help to ya. The Linux.org link is one of the better Linux forums to join. How to forge link and Ubuntu Geeks have a ton of tutorials for all kinds of scenarios. Good luck setting it up cuz now that I have fully functional Linux systems I am a happy camper.

Erich · 23-08-2008, 01:03 AM

I'll try that. Thank you very much for the help.

gamn44 · 15-10-2008, 08:04 AM

I haven't read the Dual Boot xP tutorial so I am not sure if it covered a hardware Raid array setup. If you used the Windows software raid array option (which I have never used or am familiar with on how to operate) then it looks to me that you should be looking into whats wrong with your raid array setup because Ubuntus bootloader Grub is installed on the same hardrive as the Ubuntu operating system is installed on. Just like Windows XP bootloader is installed on the hardrive Windows xp is installed on.