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    Dual-Booting Windows 7 and Ubuntu 9.10 without GRUB?

    Discussion in 'Linux Compatibility and Software' started by SerratedAuto, Jan 28, 2010.

  1. SerratedAuto

    SerratedAuto Notebook Consultant

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    How can this be done? I can get Ubuntu installed no problem, but when I do it usually ends up using the GRUB loader to control the boot. I want to leave the Windows bootloader intact so that If I have a problem with Ubuntu I can get rid of it quickly. Thanks.
     
    SerratedAuto, Jan 28, 2010
    #1
  2. osomphane

    osomphane Notebook Evangelist

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    I thought that the windows loader only loads windows... besides if ubuntu breaks, the grub loader should still work, no?
     
    osomphane, Jan 28, 2010
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  3. millermagic

    millermagic Rockin the pinktop

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    What you want to do is install GRUB on the partition Linux is on. Then edit windows bootloader to point to Linux Partition.

    When you boot you want
    Power on -> Windows Bootloader on Windows partiton -> Linux Partition -> Grub -> Ubuntu
     
    millermagic, Jan 28, 2010
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  4. pkhetan

    pkhetan CopyLEFT ↄ⃝

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    If you mean by your question how to use the Windows bootloader for choosing between OS rather than GRUB, Then the easiest way is to install Ubuntu before Windows
     
    pkhetan, Jan 29, 2010
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  5. SerratedAuto

    SerratedAuto Notebook Consultant

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    Yes, I want to have the Windows bootloader to choose the OS, but the only problem right now is that Windows 7 is installed first.

    I was thinking it would be as simple as installing Ubuntu with the GRUB loader, then running the windows repair disk to do a fixmbr, but the problem is that it won't be smart enough to know that it has a linux OS on the other partition, so I would lose boot access to Ubuntu?
     
    SerratedAuto, Jan 29, 2010
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  6. jeremysdad

    jeremysdad Notebook Evangelist

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    After fixing your MBR, use easyBCD beta 2.0 (because Ubuntu uses grub2) to add entries for your Ubuntu install.

    You should actually be able to have grub install itself to either the '/boot' or '/' partitions (should have options during the install process) and leave the MBR untouched, then use easyBCD to add entry as stated above, skipping the need to fix the MBR.

    You'll have to register over there to download, and I recommend reading through some threads over there to learn what you need to do before doing it.

    Any questions, just fire away. :)
     
    jeremysdad, Jan 29, 2010
    #6