Dual booting Windows & Ubuntu made SUPER EASY!!!

This is what I like to do to make my Dual Booting experince easy and less of a headache to deal with. I think the chances of any Grub or Bootloader problems decrease too. Not to mention it's prettier and slighty more secure. This method works great for me, so I decided to share. This is mainly for Newbies and Beginning Novices like my self.

Please note: I know this is NOT necessary, but I found it to be easier and safer. You no longer have to worry about messing up your Windows Partition Or Getting rid of Grub in your MBR. Also this give you a easier fool proof MAIN Bootloader that you can easily config over & over without messing anything up. PLEASE READ WHOLE POST BEFORE YOU DECIDE IF THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT TO DO.


Step 1:

Make sure you have Windows already loaded into one partition. And make sure you have another blank partition at least 15GB in size. If you need to resize the Windows Partition to make space for a 15+GB partition, do so now. I suggest you use Gparted for resizing and creating partitions before setup. Make the 15+GB partition any format as you will most likely delete it, change format, and allocate a gig to a Swap partition from the Ubuntu installation setup.

Step 2:

Install Ubuntu from Live CD. Select Manual install. Enter nessecary info until you hit the Partition editor. Delete the 15+GB that you just made and allocate 1GB as a SWAP Partition, then use the remaining mem as your EXT Partition. Ubuntu will not let you make a mistake here. Also, check the format box if unchecked on both SWAP and EXT Partitions.

VERY IMPORTANT PART OF STEP 2:
When you get to the screen that looks like the Pic Below. Click on the (HD0) button shown in pic. Type (HD0,1) instead. This will install your Grub Bootloader on your Ubuntu(15+GB) Partition instead of touching anything in the MBR or Windows.


Now just let Ubuntu Install.

Step 3:

Once you got Ubuntu installed. Let it reset and go back in to Windows. Download GAG-BootLoader and burn it on to a DVD or CD. Then reset and boot up from the GAG disc you just created.

GAG is Extremley super easy to config, so I really don't have to explain much here. Just create new menus that point to the right Partitions, name them, select a pic for them, set up a timer & default OS, and even create a password for each one if you want. Test out the settings as many times as you want with out changing a thing on your drive. Once your satisfied with settings, then select the "Save in HardDrive" button. Once you select "Save in HardDrive" you will not need the GAG disc to config anymore.



Once you completed this ..... When turn on your PC, the GAG bootloader will
appear.
Selecting the Windows button will take you to the Windows Bootloader.
Selecting the Ubuntu button will take you to the Grub bootloader.
Nice how every thing is kept completely separate.


HERE ARE MY PERSONAL SCEENSHOTS .............


GAG Menu



Windows Booter loader menu, After I press the "Windows XP" button on GAG



GRUB Bootloader after I press the "Ubuntu Linux" button on GAG



The Windows and Grub Bootloader are on the default timer.
Windows about 2sec and Grub is about 5sec. I set my GAG boot loader to Windows as default on a 3sec timer. The reason I mentioned this is so you get the idea that this method of dual boot is just as fast. Don't be fooled by the three differ boot screens. I usually don't even notice the GAG bootloader when I reset.

 

This is a good idea. I personally like GRUB, but this would be nice if you wanted to take Linux off the computer. Keep in mind that reinstalling Windows will still disable GAG as well since it will over-write the MBR. In fact, this is one area where GRUB has an advantage, because you can simply boot into the Ubutnu LiveCD and reinstall GRUB in this case using your existing configuration. You would have to start all over with GAG since it's all in the bootloader (at least, I'm assuming it is... please correct me if I'm wrong).

 

Actually I found GAG stays on even after I reinstalled Windows. I have no idea why. Maybe thats why I can get to the windows Bootloader in the first place. I been able to uninstall GAG from it's restore option easily though.

Any Opinions on this?

 

Unless it has some code in there that prevents it from being overwritten, I don't understand how it could survive a Windows reinstall. Windows isn't likely to let GAG sit around unless GAG acts like the Windows bootloader. I'm no programmer, so I have no real insight, just speculation.

 

If Windows would over write it during reinstall, GAG can be fully set up in less than five min.

 

love to see your technical post.

I have a question.If i use a back up programs to create my windows image such as Acrosnis True Image,it's also create a hidden partition for recovery

I consider if GAG will recognize the hidden partition which store program to recover the image...

 

You can see in my GAG screenshot that I have a button set to my HP Recovery partition. GAG can see all types of partitions.

 

So there always battle between MS and Multiboot user requirement. I guess that is one reason people hate MS.

 

So let me get this straight.. does GAG overwrite the windows bootloader? When you select "save in harddrive" for GAG, do you get an option of where to save it to, or does it just go into (hd0) by default and overwrite the MBR.

 

GAG installs on the MBR.

It takes over GRUB if you select "save in harddrive". Because if you have Grub in MBR and you install GAG, you will lose grub and not be able to boot Ubuntu even with GAG. Reinstalling GRUB on the MBR will kill GAG. Which is why I installed Grub on the Ubuntu Partition.

But, when I select "save in harddrive" it does not mess up the Windows Bootloader at all. In my experience, GAG plays VERY NICE with Windows bootloader. I didn't do anything (move or edit) to Windows Bootloader. I just pointed GAG to Windows Partition and the Windows Bootloader shows up. Reinstalling Windows and Windows Bootloader does not kill GAG. GAG will still remain. I don't know why it doesn't do the same if GRUB in on the MBR.

GAG and Windows Bootloader in on the MBR.
GRUB is on the Ubuntu Partition.

I hope I made Sense.

 

Well, that's pretty interesting then. I've always been under the impression that the windows bootloader doesn't play nice with anything at all, which is why for dual booting people always recommend installing windows first. This is indeed a really nice method.

 

They say to install Windows first because, Windows Bootloader will not boot Linux and without GRUB you will not be able to boot Ubuntu. So if you reinstall Windows, the non Linux compatable Windows Bootloader will take over Grub. Vice Versa is Ok though, as Grub can detect and boot Windows easily. (Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong about anything. )

The method that I use allows for reinstalling Windows or Ubuntu without overwriting any Bootloaders or changing anything on another partition. It's also the Safest way to experiment with Ubuntu besides using a Live CD.

 

So if I install linux uising this method, and dont install GAG, the computer will only boot to windows (without the GAG dvd/cd) ?
And installing GAG on the mbr (as opposed to grub), has the advantage that windows can be reinstalled, and GAG reinstalled without pain ?

 

If you install Linux using this Method ...... You will need some type of Bootloader (Whether it's GAG or not) to be able to Point to the Ubuntu Partition, because Grub is on the another Partition(same partition as Ubuntu in this case) besides the MBR. Basically you can't boot up with Grub if it not on the MBR. You need something to point to the Partition that Grub is on to enter Linux(Ubuntu).

So yes the computer will only boot into windows without GAG installed or using the GAG dvd/cd.

Exactly, and in my experince even after reinstall of Windows .....GAG stays put and you don't even have to reinstall GAG. I have no clue about why this happens, but I'm not complaining at all You can also delete GAG by simply pressing the Restore button.

 

I was using this method for normal pc with windows XP. But for laptops with hidden recovery partitons, it may be tricky. I am not sure how the recovery partition is made active partition by various laptop vendors. Dell masks partitions first byte as I have read in some posts. I am not sure for sony. Hence I used vista bootloader and easybcd for making booting easier for vista and multiple linuxes. One can see my post on this topic http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=119616

 

Yeah, what will this do to MediaDirect?

 

As long as vista bootloader is booting, mediadirect should work. I was also using gag when this hidden partitions were not there. As I was doubting or not clear how gag works, I went vista bootloader way.

 

GAG should have no problem booting any Recovery Patition. I got it to point & boot to my Acer Recovery on my Laptop, and my HP Desktop Recovery(as seen in pic) successfully.

I also loaded this method on my friends Acer Laptop and got GAG to point and boot to the Acer Arcade Partition. I didn't even have to go through GAG bootloader to test it. I simply pressed the media keys, and it still works. And I still had the option to boot it from GAG. My friend hasn't seem to have run into any boot problems yet.

So I don't see why it wouldn't work with Dell's MediaDirect. But I haven't tested it with MediaDirect, so I can't be sure.

Like I stated eairler, GAG sees any/all partitions. Just set a button to point to the right one and Boot. GAG doesn't seem to interfere with anything else, besides Grub. Which is one reason I like Grub on the same Partition as Ubuntu.

 

As I have said earlier, I was the user of gag for multibooting until Notebook vendors put the recovery partition as hidden partition. Dell puts it at the end of the hard disk and sony puts that beginning of the hard disk. I have read in some person's blog that partition table first byte is changed in dell. I have seen in one dell laptop accordingl. I tried to change it to vfat type and took backup also. Method varies from vendor to vendor. One can take backup of MBR and do trials. Dell changes recovery partitions code during recovery, recovers and changes the code in MBR back after recovery. Hence any mishap will lead to impossibility of use of recovery. What I said is with out this hassles, one can use easybcd and set windows bootloader to load multiple linuxes.

 

As long as Mediadirect boot similar to HP Quickplay, there is no way to use GAG or GRUB to make it functional(I mean that one gig partition). The only possible way to work it around is similar in my post.

You have to make MS bootloader works in first place, and then going to media partition. I don't know exactly what a he** does this mean, but somehow they modify the BIOS especially for MS bootloader.

 

GAG treats a partition like a partition. I'm pretty sure GAG can point to and boot mediadirect no matter the type of partition it is.

You guys are seriously making thing more complicated that it is. I read up on the MediaDirect Partition, and can't see what the real differ is compared to others (like Acer Arcade). You can also use GAG to restore MBR if there is a problem.

Why would that change things? GAG should able to see that. I have got it to see/point/boot many hidden Partitions. And it shouldn't change the way it works either as long as the Partition is in place. (ie: using media keys to boot mediadirect)

People use GAG with HP Quickplay. GAG shouldn't cause problems for QuickPlay, MediaDirect and Others like GRUB does.


I'm not doubting any problem you guys personally had with GAG. But I seriously doubt it's GAG itself that is the problem. As others have used GAG this way on laptops with hidden partitions (Acer Arcade, Quickplay etc) successfully. I just don't see any real reason that there would be any problems when using with Mediadirect.

 

Quote
Why would that change things? GAG should able to see that. I have got it to see/point/boot many hidden Partitions. And it shouldn't change the way it works either as long as the Partition is in place. (ie: using media keys to boot mediadirect)
End quote
GAG can see normal partition and recognise as the type based on partition table. If the code in partition table is masked not to show the correct partition table, certainly it is not possible for gag.
It is not the question of "making thing more complicated", but understanding how thing works. I am very much sure for the dell inspiron E1705 and E1405 which I have seen that in partition table, type was masked, though it was vfat. Script provided by dell first changes that to make it appear as vfat, before use its stripped down version n-ghost to restore the contents. It is better to be safe than sorry later.

 

I highly doubt that is the case. Anything a Partition Manager can see, GAG is also able to see. Which is basically Any & All partitions. Now Grub & Windows Bootloader have there own ways of viewing Partitions .....so they might not see MediaDirect, just as Grub doesn't see Acer Arcade/HP Quickplay and most Recovery Partitions(at least with out configing). GAG is completely different in this case.

I have looked up the Dell models you mentioned, and I can't find anything that sugests it being unlike other media partitions from other vendors. Besides that type of Partition.

 

quote
I highly doubt that is the case
unquote
It would be better to verify and report than doubting others. Regarding the models I spoke, I have converted manually partition table entries, to make it accessible as vfat and did backup.

 

If I had a Dell with Media direct or the models you have mentioned, I would have tested it out.

I can doubt your claims without any proof, because your claims don't have any proof, nor did you test the models you spoke of with GAG. Being that GAG works with Acer Arcade(tested myself) and HP Quickplay, it makes it highly doubtable that there will be a problem with GAG and MediaDirect. Especially when you show no sufficient proof of failure.

And speaking about you Blog that you linked: BLOG LINK,
It would be easier and safer to to load Grub on the same Partition on each Distro when installing and use GAG or another 3rd party bootloader to boot into each GRUB.

 

I have never said that it will fail. What I said is it is better to be safe than be sorry.
As I have not said it is bound to fail, onus of proof is not there on me. But once you doubt, what I have said regarding masking of partition table by dell, changing it during recovery, then onus of prooving me wrong is on you. As I think discussion is not going in good taste, I will end my posting to this thread. It is for those who want to do as you suggest to decide. But for the benefit of them, I want to say that I am very much sure for the dell inspiron E1705 and E1405 which I have seen that in partition table, type was masked for hidden recovery partition, though it was vfat. I have converted manually partition table entries, to make it accessible as vfat and did backup.

 

Not trying to come off in bad taste.

I'm just saying a doubt is a doubt. I never said you were out right wrong.

And I did see your "better safe than sorry" in earlier post. I didn't respond to that because the main purpose (besides ease of use) of me advocating for GAG is that it's SAFE. You can test it without installing, and see if it can see and boot any partition. And even when installing it almost as safe and fool proof. GAG can't change a partition to hidden or vice versa, but it can see all hidden partitions.


Link to other Boot managers if interested: http://www.multibooters.co.uk/managers.html