[suguru]

For some crazy or greedy reason some companies are starting to release
sw that does not work on dual-boot
systems. I have 2 such purchases which I need to run but I have only 1 hd.
How do I leave a Virgin Windows MBR and multi-boot using grub when I need
to use Linux?

I briefly saw something that said something like place grub in your
windows partition then chainload to it to boot Linux. Sounds great but
like so many things on Linux forums something that sounds great is of
no value without specific instructions of how to do it.

Can someone please give me specific instructions of how to do this?
I do not have a floppy drive and would like to do it by putting something
in the Windows partition if that is possible. I am running Ubuntu or
the SimplyMepis based upon Ubuntu right now from grub on the MBR.
It did indeed stop these two Windows programs from operating when
I put grub on the MBR.

[lotuseclat79]

Hi suguru,

Welcome to TSG!

Click on the red-white triangle at the top right-hand part of your thread post at TSG to contact the Moderators and ask them to move this thread to the Unix/Linux forum.

-- Tom

[saikee]

To install Linux and keep WIndows MBR like a virgin?

Take a peep at my signature. Two methods if you have a floppy drive and one method if you have no floppy drive.

Section C seems to be the method you after.

In a nutshell you create a data-only FAT32 primary partition and put Grub inside. You then use Windows "disk management" program to switch it to become active. The Window partition will automatically become inactive by default. On a boot up the MS's own MBR boot up Grub. Inside Grub (by editing its /boot/grub/menu.lst) you can boot any system you want.

It is cool because you are actually using Windows MBR to boot Linux via Grub (installed without Linux attached).

The other alternative is to use NTLDR. Details available in my signature's "Just booting tips"

[prunejuice]

Like a virgin...GParted for the very first time...like a vir-ir-ir-irgin...feel your LiLO, next to mine...

Originally Posted by suguru

For some crazy or greedy reason some companies are starting to release
sw that does not work on dual-boot
systems.

What software are we talking about?

[fenderfreek]

^I just burst out laughing in the campus PC Lab...

And yes, what is this software? Anything in Windows -should- be completely oblivious to anything outside of the OS.