Arch Linux

twiistedkaos

Member

Registered: 2006-05-20

Posts: 666

Installing XP after Linux

Correct me if I am wrong, because I am not too willing to loose my linux install, but if I install Windows after Linux it will overrite my MBR file, which I am positive of. In order to fix this I'd have to re-insert my Arch cd, and reinstall grub, correct? I have to install Windows to run certain files for my college classes this quarter.

junglepeanut

Member

From: California

Registered: 2007-01-24

Posts: 145

Website

Re: Installing XP after Linux

I have read one post where it was done, the guy was using ubuntu. Probably easier (for me at least) to copy home to a dvd or usb install xp and then reinstall linux if I remember from reading the post.

bender02

Member

From: UK

Registered: 2007-02-04

Posts: 1,328

Re: Installing XP after Linux

junglepeanut: Nope.
twiistedkaos: Yes, it's enough to boot from a live cd and reinstall grub after installing windows. (It can actually be done just from the grub menu that's presented when you boot the cd.) Run 'grub', you'll be in the grub command line. Then issue 'root (hd0,x)', where 'x' is your /boot partition (if you don't have one, then the root partition). Grub should confirm your filesystem on that partition at this point. Then 'setup (hd0)' writes grub to the MBR.

junglepeanut

Member

From: California

Registered: 2007-01-24

Posts: 145

Website

Re: Installing XP after Linux

Sorry I guess I was wrong. My (gateway) windows disk have always forced me to reformat everything on the hard drive before installing. I put it into another laptop just now just to verify and yep that is all it will do.

I did a search and found the link to what I read.
The link
http://apcmag.com/5459/dualboot_ubuntu_and_windows_xp

And many more options
http://apcmag.com/node/5162/

So I guess you need an install disk that gives you options for partitions etc.
Again sorry for the misinformation I should have googled first.

Mikko777

Member

From: Suomi, Finland

Registered: 2006-10-30

Posts: 837

Re: Installing XP after Linux

Or use virtualbox

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Planet KDE | Opendesktop.org | Chakra Project

veek

Member

Registered: 2006-03-10

Posts: 167

Re: Installing XP after Linux

You know you don't have to install grub to the MBR.

I actually wonder why so many people do.

It saves a lot of hassles if you don't. Just create a separate boot partition and install grub to
that partition. That way Windows can have the MBR. Windows can come and go and you'll
always have grub available to boot whatever you like, it's really handy. 

After installing Windows it will make the Windows partition the active one. All you have to
do to go back to using grub is open a partition editor like parted, or gparted if you want the gui,
and make the grub partition the boot partition.

To boot Windows from grub when it's not in the MBR just use the usual command in menu.lst
except do not use the command "makeactive." This command will hide the grub partition and you'll be back to booting from the MBR.

Another advantage to this method is that the Windows boot loader will always be sitting there
untouched in the MBR so if something by chance happens to grub, and you need to boot windows,
just open the partition editor again and set the Windows partition as the boot partition.

(I recommend getting Gparted livecd or liveusb, amazingly useful)

Last edited by veek (2008-02-29 12:20:20)

blu3ness

Member

From: Edmonton, Canada

Registered: 2007-12-28

Posts: 169

Re: Installing XP after Linux

thank you veek for your helpful tips, I'll definitely try this next time.

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Archlinux on Compaq Presario v5000 laptop