Partition scheme for new 64b dual boot Arch/Win7

mibadt · 2010-09-12 07:42:41

Hi,
I'm about to install those 2 OSs on a new PC.
I plan to use PMagic to partition the disk, then install Win 7 (ult 64b) and finally-Arch 64b.
I've read that Win7 actually uses TWO partitions a (relative small) boot partition and a "main" partition.

My questions:
1. While using PMagic to prepare my HD, should I prepare ONE or TWO NTFS partitions for Win 7?
2. If 2, what size should the Win 7 boot partition be (I've thought about 50 MB)?
3. If 2, How can I "tell" Win 7 during install to use those two existing partitions rather than creating a new win-boot partition?
4. Will GRUB recognize both OSs in case of 2 Win partitions?

Thanks

Last edited by mibadt (2010-09-12 07:49:10)

arch0r · 2010-09-12 08:33:39

if you don't want to run in any errors, just set up win7 first . it creates a 100mb (boot?) partition, one for the system and around 1MB free space (don't ask me why).

grub itself doesn't recognizes the windows installation but its easy to edit the file. i think you just have to change the partition that it directs to window's boot partition (/dev/sda1 in my case)

mine is looking like this:

## (2) Windows
menuentry "Windows" { set root=(hd0,1)
chainloader +1
}

sand_man · 2010-09-12 09:00:30

By PMagic do you mean Partition Magic or Parted Magic (the live cd)? I wouldn't trust partition magic as far as I could throw it's CEO.

mibadt · 2010-09-12 09:33:59

Indeed I've meant the Live VD of Parted Magic (http://partedmagic.com/)

hokasch · 2010-09-12 09:46:34

If you create and format the partition for Windows beforehand, it won't create the extra boot/whateveritis-partition.

mibadt · 2010-09-12 11:29:47

Thanks!
What's the benefit of that Win/Boot partition anyway?

hokasch · 2010-09-12 11:40:07

http://www.mydigitallife.info/2009/08/2 … windows-7/

sand_man · 2010-09-13 02:41:38

mibadt wrote:

Thanks!
What's the benefit of that Win/Boot partition anyway?

No idea! That's probably a question for a Windows forum

Awebb · 2010-09-13 07:55:58

Also make sure you don't have any unpartitioned space on any second or third HDD's. Windows 7 will choose where to create it, even if it's on another disk. Stupid thing...

sand_man wrote:

No idea! That's probably a question for a Windows forum

Ever tried to get a real answer in a windows forum?

Arch Linux

#1 2010-09-12 07:42:41

Partition scheme for new 64b dual boot Arch/Win7

#2 2010-09-12 08:33:39

Re: Partition scheme for new 64b dual boot Arch/Win7

#3 2010-09-12 09:00:30

Re: Partition scheme for new 64b dual boot Arch/Win7

#4 2010-09-12 09:33:59

Re: Partition scheme for new 64b dual boot Arch/Win7

#5 2010-09-12 09:46:34

Re: Partition scheme for new 64b dual boot Arch/Win7

#6 2010-09-12 11:29:47

Re: Partition scheme for new 64b dual boot Arch/Win7

#7 2010-09-12 11:40:07

Re: Partition scheme for new 64b dual boot Arch/Win7

#8 2010-09-13 02:41:38

Re: Partition scheme for new 64b dual boot Arch/Win7

#9 2010-09-13 07:55:58

Re: Partition scheme for new 64b dual boot Arch/Win7

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