Thread: Windows XP and Debian GRUB

  1. #1
    C maniac
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Cyberwarping to Middle Earth
    Posts
    154

    Windows XP and Debian GRUB

    Hello,

    I'm installing Debian and Windows on a new laptop. Now, before I install Debian (I haven't gotten the CDs yet) how do I configure GRUB to have a WinXP option? I still want to use Windows occasionally.

    Thanks.

    KAWK

  2. #2
    Slave MadCow257's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Posts
    735
    There should be an option in the installer

    When you add a linux partition you will have to smash down the existing one. I've heard that can cause problems but it worked fine for me

    BTW, this should be tech board

  3. #3
    Crazy Fool Perspective's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    2,640
    edit /boot/grub/grub.conf (not sure if thats where it is in a debian install). You can add options there

  4. #4
    C maniac
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Cyberwarping to Middle Earth
    Posts
    154
    What do I add to the grub.conf file if the installer doesn't recognise Windows XP? Sorry, I should have been more specific, that's what I actually meant.

  5. #5
    Registered User Jaqui's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Posts
    416
    actually, it's the menu.lst file in the /boot/grub/ folder
    the default gub menu, edited to add windows and remove failsafe from a debian install.
    # menu.lst - See: grub(8), info grub, update-grub(8)
    # grub-install(8), grub-floppy(8),
    # grub-md5-crypt, /usr/share/doc/grub
    # and /usr/share/doc/grub-doc/.

    ## default num
    # Set the default entry to the entry number NUM. Numbering starts from 0, and
    # the entry number 0 is the default if the command is not used.
    #
    # You can specify 'saved' instead of a number. In this case, the default entry
    # is the entry saved with the command 'savedefault'.
    default 0

    ## timeout sec
    # Set a timeout, in SEC seconds, before automatically booting the default entry
    # (normally the first entry defined).
    timeout 5

    # Pretty colours
    #color cyan/blue white/blue

    ## password ['--md5'] passwd
    # If used in the first section of a menu file, disable all interactive editing
    # control (menu entry editor and command-line) and entries protected by the
    # command 'lock'
    # e.g. password topsecret
    # password --md5 $1$gLhU0/$aW78kHK1QfV3P2b2znUoe/
    # password topsecret

    #
    # examples
    #
    # title Windows 95/98/NT/2000
    # root (hd0,0)
    # makeactive
    # chainloader +1
    #
    # title Linux
    # root (hd0,1)
    # kernel /vmlinuz root=/dev/hda2 ro
    #

    #
    # Put static boot stanzas before and/or after AUTOMAGIC KERNEL LIST

    ### BEGIN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
    ## lines between the AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST markers will be modified
    ## by the debian update-grub script except for the default options below

    ## DO NOT UNCOMMENT THEM, Just edit them to your needs

    ## ## Start Default Options ##
    ## default kernel options
    ## default kernel options for automagic boot options
    ## If you want special options for specifiv kernels use kopt_x_y_z
    ## where x.y.z is kernel version. Minor versions can be omitted.
    ## e.g. kopt=root=/dev/hda1 ro
    # kopt=root=/dev/hda3 ro

    ## default grub root device
    ## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
    # groot=(hd0,2)

    ## should update-grub create alternative automagic boot options
    ## e.g. alternative=true
    ## alternative=false
    # alternative=true

    ## should update-grub lock alternative automagic boot options
    ## e.g. lockalternative=true
    ## lockalternative=false
    # lockalternative=false

    ## altoption boot targets option
    ## multiple altoptions lines are allowed
    ## e.g. altoptions=(extra menu suffix) extra boot options
    ## altoptions=(recovery mode) single
    # altoptions=(recovery mode) single

    ## controls how many kernels should be put into the menu.lst
    ## only counts the first occurence of a kernel, not the
    ## alternative kernel options
    ## e.g. howmany=all
    ## howmany=7
    # howmany=all

    ## should update-grub create memtest86 boot option
    ## e.g. memtest86=true
    ## memtest86=false
    # memtest86=true

    ## ## End Default Options ##

    title Debian 2.6 kernel
    root (hd0,2)
    kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.8-2-k7 root=/dev/hda3 ro
    initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.8-2-k7
    savedefault
    boot

    title Windows
    root (hd0,0)
    makeactive
    chainloader +1

    ### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
    Quote Originally Posted by Jeff Henager
    If the average user can put a CD in and boot the system and follow the prompts, he can install and use Linux. If he can't do that simple task, he doesn't need to be around technology.

  6. #6
    C maniac
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Cyberwarping to Middle Earth
    Posts
    154
    Thank you, Jaqui. I think that's what I wanted. Thanks again.

Popular pages Recent additions subscribe to a feed

Similar Threads

  1. porting to Windows, 16/32-bit?
    By cDev in forum C Programming
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 06-05-2006, 04:09 PM
  2. installing debian linux
    By X PaYnE X in forum Tech Board
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 05-10-2005, 04:43 AM