Install Windows 7 after Arch Linux?

M_ller · 2011-08-07 17:36:42

Hi guys.

My fingers urge to play some Windows games, so I thought I might as well give dualbooting a shot.
I know it's usually easiest to install Linux after Windows, but I don't feel like reformatting my current setup.

This is how my current partitioning works:

***@archlinux ~]$ fdisk -l

Disk /dev/sda: 500.1 GB, 500107862016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 60801 cylinders, total 976773168 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x42414240

   Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
/dev/sda1   *          63      208844      104391   83  Linux
/dev/sda2          208845      738989      265072+  82  Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda3          738990    32483429    15872220   83  Linux
/dev/sda4        32483430   976768064   472142317+  83  Linux

I've never quite understood the whole partion-part-stuff, so that is why I'm posting this in the newbie corner.

What am I supposed to do from here, preferably step-by-step, to install Windows 7 on my desktop PC running ArchLinux as the only OS atm?

litemotiv · 2011-08-07 17:44:25

Since you already used up your 4 primary partitions, this could be tricky and/or a lot of work. Getting rid of the swap partition would certainly help.

You would then have to resize sda4 with a partition manager (look on the forums and in the wiki for more information, you can also use a rescue cd like SystemRescueCD). Create a new partition in the recovered space, set the bootable flag on that partition, reboot and install Windows there, and when everything is ready reinstall grub from your Arch installation cd.

Gooru · 2011-08-07 18:56:45

You don't have to set the bootable flag, just set in BIOS boot from DVD first and then select the partition you want to install windows. I would rather worry about Windows 7 additional 100 MB partition(primary too). I don't get the meaning of this but there seems to be no option to avoid partitioning that way (at least I didn't notice any)
Or maybe I don't know something and litemotiv's way will work for you ;]

litemotiv · 2011-08-07 19:48:57

Gooru wrote:

You don't have to set the bootable flag, just set in BIOS boot from DVD first and then select the partition you want to install windows. I would rather worry about Windows 7 additional 100 MB partition(primary too). I don't get the meaning of this but there seems to be no option to avoid partitioning that way (at least I didn't notice any)
Or maybe I don't know something and litemotiv's way will work for you ;]

You could be right, i haven't installed Windows in a very long time so it's possible that this is also necessary these days..

DrKillPatient · 2011-08-08 03:05:43

Have you tried to run your Windows-only games in Wine? You should be able to run some of your games using it, although performance might be a little worse. WineHQ has a database of which software will run, which won't, and which need a bit of tweaking. Give it a shot before you mess around with your partitions, if you haven't tested your games already.

Last edited by DrKillPatient (2011-08-08 03:07:23)

scottman · 2011-08-08 06:03:27

you dont need that stupid 100 mb partition for windows. The way i did it was /boot as my first partition just because i wanted a boot partition.
My second partition was my ntfs/windows then i had
swap then
/root then
/home
Install arch linux first, then go back and boot to the dvd install windows on that ntfs partition. It will make a master boot record and overwrite your grub stuff. Stupid windows. You can then boot back into the arch linux cd and there is a command to fix the grub. This might do the trick, https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Grub or http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=24113 or you can reinstall the arch linux to fix the grub stuff and add windows in the menu.lst. The place holder is already there just un comment it and i think you leave out makeactive. At least mine has that commented out so its not using it.

I guess whats important here is that you diaper in your ntfs windows partition. Then windows cant make that 100mb sys partition. My windows works just fine...I think its used for saving system restore points.....not sure.
good luck.

Arch Linux

#1 2011-08-07 17:36:42

Install Windows 7 after Arch Linux?

#2 2011-08-07 17:44:25

Re: Install Windows 7 after Arch Linux?

#3 2011-08-07 18:56:45

Re: Install Windows 7 after Arch Linux?

#4 2011-08-07 19:48:57

Re: Install Windows 7 after Arch Linux?

#5 2011-08-08 03:05:43

Re: Install Windows 7 after Arch Linux?

#6 2011-08-08 06:03:27

Re: Install Windows 7 after Arch Linux?

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