bootloader

thick0 · #1 25th December 2007, 07:15 AM

Hi, I read an article recently which intimated that f8 has problems recognising other operating systems. Simple question then: I currently dual boot my laptop with XP and ubuntu. If I replace ubuntu with F8 will the F8 installation recognise XP and set up grub accordingly?

Zotter · #2 25th December 2007, 07:19 AM

I just did a clean install of WinXP SP2 - then installed F8

No problems at all. Dual boots just fine. And to tell truth, this is first I've heard anyone has had issues.

linuxpcmancn · #3 25th December 2007, 10:02 AM

Personally speaking ,if you replace ubuntu with F8,F8 can still recognise XP and set up grub

accordingly.Because I have tried many times,now I have 3 OS :Fedora,Dbian and Xp in my

computer and they just work well.

bbfuller · #4 25th December 2007, 10:22 AM

Fedora has no trouble recognising and catering for the existence of Windows on a machine.

What it doesn't do is recognise the existence of other Linux distributions on that machine.

Recognising other Linux distributions is one of those things that some installers do and some don't.

If you do install Fedora you can always edit the /boot/grub/menu.lst file to add your other Linux distributions to it manually.

its4mreddy · #5 25th December 2007, 11:01 AM

I am not a expert but I am using fedora for long time and did install for my friends, never faced any problems with boot loader identification. I use dual booting with Vista in my laptop and with XP in Desktop.

***bob*** · #6 25th December 2007, 01:10 PM

Or, you can use the Advanced option on the bootloader and install grub on your root partition for Fedora, leaving your existing grub intact. You can simply add Fedora to the Ubuntu /boot/grub/menu.lst as:

title Fedora
configfile (hdx,y)/boot/grub/menu.lst <substitute your partition info for Fedora for the 'x' and 'y'

or, if you want to see the Fedora menu/splash screen & have the Fedora kernel options boot, use this:

title Fedora
root (hdx,y)
rootnoverify (hdx,y)
chainloader +1

I use these entries for Fedora and other distros and leave my Mint grub intact. Since Fedora's likely to change kernels often, I prefer the second method for it in case there's a problem with the latest kernel. I still get a chance to select an older one and continue to boot.

thick0 · #7 25th December 2007, 10:17 PM

Thanks all, now I feel confident to carry on. I think bbfuller has highlighted the perceived problem - ie. can't recognise another linux distro.

bbfuller · #8 25th December 2007, 11:57 PM

Hello thick0

As you say, the other Linux distribution can be a problem. However, it's one that is easily overcome and I'm sure that you will find examples of the menu.lst file on the forum if you want them.

However if you have any problems in that direction, post back here and we'll see what we can work out.