nastyhome Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 Hi all, Here is a challenge: I want to boot multiple Windows OS's on a single partition with the use of GRUB. My hdd will be divided into 4 partitions to make way for the new Windows OS's Vista and Longhorn Server alongside my current Windows 2003 Server partition. I am using a floppy disk to boot GRUB - which is OK - it will get messy if I have GRUB on the HDD - especially with Windows is concerned. HDD setup as such: Partition 1: Data Partition, currently acts as the boot partition for Partition 2. Set as active. Primary partition. Partition 2: Currently have Windows Server 2003 installed. The boot.ini for this one is at Partition 1. Not active. Primary partition. Partition 3: Will have Windows Vista installed. Not active. Primary partition. Partition 4: Will have windows Longhorn Server installed. Not active. Primary partition. I would like to boot to GRUB, select the OS, and boot straight away to the OS - without going into an additional boot menu (ie: Windows boot loader). From what I gather, Windows will install its boot loader to the first partition and add an entry to the existing boot.ini. It will not install its bootloader for that OS on the same partition as it is installed - unless...it is set as active? Anyone knoe how to install Windows and its bootloader on the same partition as it is installed to? ie: install Windows Vista in partition 3 and have its bootloader in partition 3 and make GRUB boot to that partition 3.... Also, windows will not boot if the partition is not set as active - correct? If so, is it possible to have multiple partitions set as active? What would the GRUB entries look like? Many thanks in advanced. Hope this proves a challenge for you brainbusters. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbmkgd Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 Did you try to modify what's been discussed on your other similar thread? http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showtopic=30061 As to installing windows with its own bootloader, make the current target partition active, then install (if you want to make doubly sure, hide the other windows partitions). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe75 Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 When installing Vista it will take over all your boot prompts You will have to use additional boot menus Once you have Vista installed, you can just use that boot menu to access all the installs you listed and lose grub and gain that first partition:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nastyhome Posted October 20, 2006 Author Share Posted October 20, 2006 Just from having a quick glimpse of your masterful tutorial here: http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showtopic=28506 Possible to hide partitions and make the targeted install partition active and then boot to windows installation CD? Actually, I'm going to print it out and read the whole article while i'm at work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbmkgd Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 The guide you linked is for those wanting to use Acronis OS Selector. You don't need that trick with the three files with GRUB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nastyhome Posted October 20, 2006 Author Share Posted October 20, 2006 I'm looking into hiding partitions and setting active to partitions, then install windows... Something like that. But i dont know yet until i try it at home.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe75 Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 OS X is not listed here for install, Vista will boot all that are listed I don't understand what all the fuss is about Why would you need another loader. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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