Multi-boot PC (windows+linux)

[Claudio]

Hi, I ask your help to build a multi-boot PC.
I have two hard disk: on the first disc there's the Vista's wife.
On the second disc there's my Vista installation.
PLOP installed on first disc's MBR. It works perfectly.

Now, i'm going to add to my disc an Ubuntu OS, in a secondary partition, already created.
How PLOP to manage it? Where I install the GRUB bootloader?
On my disc's MBR or in /boot in Ubuntu' filesystem?

I tried to place the Grub in /boot, but PLOP not recognises the Linux partition.
I need "dirty" my MBR with Linux bootloader? And then, can PLOP capable to boot my Windows yet?

Sorry for many question... I will not to damage the work already done.

Thanks for your help and I apologize for my scholastic' english.

Best regards from italy,

Claudio

[Elmar]

hi,
install ubuntu (best is a primary and not extended/logical partition)
grub: choose at the end of the ubuntu installation the advanced or expert option and select the ubuntu partition to install grub

then create a new profile in the boot manager setup for ubuntu to boot the ubuntu partition

ask if you need detailed infos and tell to which hard disk/partition do you install ubuntu

best regards
elmar

[Claudio]

Finally, I tried several times. Well, i've installed Ubuntu to second hard disk, called B.
I've managed 4 primary part: the first, NTFS, contain the Vista OS.
The second, NFTS, is my archive of document.
The third, managed by Ubuntu installer, is a swap partition for Linux.
And the last primary partition, formatted ext4, contains all ubuntu's root, included grub.

Then, i rebooted the machine. PLOP starts. Two profiles pre-existing, my and my wife.
The first profile linked to first HD, called A, first partition bootflag 80h.
The second profile is linked to second HD, called B, first partition bootflag 81h.

Them Works well.

Now, i'm going to create a new profile for Ubuntu,
but first i will to create one profiles in PARTITIONS, isn't it?.
I've created a new profile with label Linux, select device HDB and part ID 83h Linux.
Save and return to main menu.

Then, i've created the third profile for Ubuntu, called Ubuntu.
Like Linked partition i've choose the fourth voice on HDB,
and set it like boot partition. The name "Linux" appear at this moment.
Select it, save and return to main menu.

Now, tap "Enter" on Ubuntu. Appears "Boot Error - No boot device selected"

Probably I've done something wrong. But I don't know where.

I'm so confused. I've managed the PLOP with logical reasoning.
But no Work already. Can you tell me where I went wrong, please?

I appreciate your patience.

Regards, Claudio

[Elmar]

but first i will to create one profiles in PARTITIONS, isn't it?.

no, not required for your stuff


did you really press "b" at hdb4?

[Claudio]

Well, based on your suggestions I've modified PLOP configuration.
First, i've deleted the profile in PARTITIONS.
I kept the profile for Ubuntu checking that hdb4 are "Don't touch" and with bootflag *81h.

Save and back to main menu... Effectively, there has been some changes...
Now, when I select the Ubuntu's profile, appear this written:

load profile data
MBR: check
MBR: is valid
Checking bootsector
*** Warning ***
No valid bootsector signature
Continue boot? (y/n)

If i choose Yes, the bios "freeze".
I'll explain: seems that the PC expects some input...
and not go ahead. What can I do now?

Thanks, Claudio

[Elmar]

it seems you deleted the partition entry for hdb4 in the mbr

[Claudio]

I'm install Linux with option Grub in root filesystem:
automatically is created for it an entry in MBR of HDB?
Do you know a way to edit MANUALLY an entry in MBR for target Linux partition?

I'm not very experienced; is something like edit boot.ini?
I own a copy of EasyBCD on my Vista: may be useful?

Eventually I can re-install Ubuntu, but I've already done three times,
always specifing to install grub in hdb4...

have you any idea?

Really many thanks, Claudio

[Elmar]

i dont understand whats the problem

install ubuntu to hdb4
let grub install to hdb4 (= to the boot sector)
go to the plop boot manager setup
create a new profile called linux
visible yes
in linked partitions press at hdb4 "b"
esc and save

thats all
easy, or?

[Claudio]

Ok, i will try doing more attention

I will update soon

Thanks, Claudio

[Elmar]

take care that in no profile hdb4 is set to cleared! always "don't touch"!

[Claudio]

I ran step by step your instructions, this message appears:

load profile data
MBR: check
MBR: is valid
Checking bootsector
*** Warning ***
No valid bootsector signature
Continue boot? (y/n)
Continue booting
Found valid bootsignature
Jumping to bootsector, bye

Well, the end result is this message by BIOS:

Error: no such partition
Grub Rescue>

it seems that PLOP did not handle different partitions from Windows...
Is absurd, i realize...

I don't want you to lose additional time. I found another solution.
I will install Linux on a external disk, connected by E-Sata to my motherboard.
Then, by BIOS, i will choose if starting first external disk or the internal pair of disk,
already managed by PLOP.
It's more simple to manage for me. I'm pretty ignorant on the subject.

Thanks for the patience, Claudio

[Elmar]

only to be sure, i installed ubuntu in an virtual machine on the 4th partition of the second hard disk.

i installed the plop boot manager. on the second hard disk i created 3 dummy partitions with fat16 and as 4th partition a linux partition (i did this with plop linux, that was the quickest way). then i started the ubuntu install program from cd, used manual partitioning and set the sdb4 to mount point /, activated format and set the type to ext3. then i used advanced options for grub and set install to sdb4. then the ubuntu install started. when it was finished i rebooted. then i was going to the plop boot manager setup, created the linux profile with boot flag on hdb4, booted the linux menu entry and... ubuntu booted without any problem.

[Claudio]

Uhm, it's very similar my configuration.
The only difference to my system is: I've formatted the hdb4 with ext4 filesystem.
I will try with your option.

Thanks thanks thanks
Vielen Dank

Claudio

[Elmar]

i tried it now with ext4. no warnings, no problem. ubuntu booted immediately after i selected it in my boot manager.