Topic: question. Triple boot Win 7 installed, win xp/linux next. (Read 2973 times)

Sirgod · « **on:** October 04, 2010, 02:38:17 am »

where in the world do I start LOL.

I recently found my copy of Win XP pro corp 64 bit, and figured I would install it also. I have a partition all set for it btw. Then I figured, after that, I might as well throw some linux on there.

Anyways, I've done dual boots before with xp installed first, and then Win 7, but never with Win 7 and then win pro 64 corp.

Stephen

atheorhaven · « **Reply #1 on:** October 04, 2010, 01:35:24 pm »

Almost guaranteed, you're going to want a boot loader like XOSL.. I'd suggest newest version of Windows last, so it should be:

a) Linux
b) Old Windows
c) New Windows (no installing on same partition)
d) XOSL

XOSL should take care of your boot sector, detect your Linux and Windows installs, and allow you to tweak it all. XOSL can be found on the UBCD (Ultimate Boot CD) for Windows.

Keep a bit for room for XOSL in a seperate partition (think it only needs about 20MB), so you're looking at probably 5 partitions. ext3 (can be logical or primary) for Linux, its swap parition, NTFS or FAT32 Primary 1 (old Windows), NTFS or FAT32 Primary 2 (new Windows), small FAT32 parition of 20MB for XOSL.

Sirgod · « **Reply #2 on:** October 04, 2010, 02:09:22 pm »

Cool, thanks man.

I was hoping to get away without a reinstall of win 7, But you do what you can do.

Stephen

atheorhaven · « **Reply #3 on:** October 04, 2010, 03:45:06 pm »

Quote from: Sirgod on October 04, 2010, 02:09:22 pm

Cool, thanks man.

I was hoping to get away without a reinstall of win 7, But you do what you can do.
Stephen

Yup, no worries.. you *might* be able to get away without reinstalling Windows 7 if you hide the parition it's installed on, or change it's filetype to uFAT or similar, but once you start doing that, then that's getting iffy. But you could do a disk image (partition) of your Windows 7 install, back that up, then do the linux/winold/winnew/xosl route, then restore your disk image partition back over your Windows 7 install. Should work without instability..

Sirgod · « **Reply #4 on:** October 04, 2010, 03:57:48 pm »

I was wondering about that. Technicly, Since I'm using 6 partitions across 2 drives, I could simply disconnect the win 7 drive, and install Xp.

then hook it back up, and use a boot manager to give me a choice.

Then Linux should not be that big a problem, as they install pretty easy anywhere you want.

I think god everyday for Partition Magic LOL.

Stephen

Nemesis · « **Reply #5 on:** October 11, 2010, 01:13:47 pm »

I have little experience in the field of dual let alone triple booting and that not recent however I do have a suggestion.

1/ Linux can be installed to and operate from a thumbdrive. I have one set up now. I believe that this can be done on as little as a 2 GB drive (mine is 8 and cheap not fast).

2/ In theory such a thumbdrive installed Linux could be set up with a virtual machine with Windows installed on it and operate from the thumbdrive. For this you would of course need a high capacity thumb drive or USB HD. I have not done this, I haven't even played around with virtual machines. It would if it worked make the Windows install portable between machines.

If you make even step one work you are down to dual boot with versions of Windows that Microsoft makes work. Do both and you don't have to worry about multi boot hassles at all.

The advantage is that the thumbdrive with Linux can be used on different machines. As to performance I have some trouble on my netbook playing high resolution video using videolan under Windows 7, under Linux (still using Videolan) on the thumbdrive it is smooth even when full screen where under Windows 7 it gets choppy.

Sirgod · « **Reply #6 on:** October 11, 2010, 09:52:32 pm »

That is a good idea actually. I'll need to order a new thumbdrive , but that would be fine.

Stephen

Nemesis · « **Reply #7 on:** October 11, 2010, 10:20:59 pm »

If you look in the free software thread there is a universal installer to install Linux to thumbdrives. I have used it to install a version not on the list successfully. If just installing Linux not experimenting with Windows in a virtual machine I'd go for a fast drive over a big one. (I assume you have USB 2.0 rather than 1.1 for adequate base speed).

Some versions of Linux will detect the thumbdrive and install to it directly (said from experience).

What version of Linux do you plan to use (be aware if you say Redhat/Fedora Bonk may have "words" with you

he has a low opinion of them)?

Have fun and let me know how it works out.

Sirgod · « **Reply #8 on:** October 11, 2010, 11:07:43 pm »

I sure will Nem, and Yep, I have USB 2.0 and ready for 3.0 If it really goes mainstream. As for Release, I think I'm gonna go with Ubunto (sp)?

I thought about Redhat though to be honest, but decided against it.

Have a new SATA Blue ray burner coming tomorrow, so I'll be playing with that some, well along with waiting for the new WoW patch to go live. ( i know, But I'm getting excited about the Elemental Invasion and Cata in Dec.)

Stephen

Nemesis · « **Reply #9 on:** October 12, 2010, 12:04:01 am »

Ubuntu just released their 10.10 version so you might want to grab that. I'm thinking of trying their netbook version just to see how well it handles the wireless on my netbook.

Myself I've been using LinuxMint KDE edition which is derived from Ubuntu but has things like DVD player software already installed. They can do that as they are neither U.S. based nor specifically trying to get U.S. citizens to use it. Ubuntu aims at least partly at U.S. markets so they have to worry about software patents which most of the world doesn't have.

News: