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1997-07-07
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NT OS Loader + Linux mini-HOWTO
Bernd Reichert, <brt@swissplace.ch>
v1.0, 5 May 1997
1. Abstract
This document decribes the use of the Windows NT boot loader to
start Linux, a procedure which works only if you have Windows NT
and Linux installed on separate partitions on the _same_ disk.
This has been tested with Windows NT 4.0 WS and Linux 2.0.
2. How the NT OS Loader works
The NT OS loader likes to have the boot sector from the other
operating system available as a file. It reads this file and
starts the operating system selected, i.e. either Windows NT in
different Modes or any other OS.
3. Tips on how to install Windows NT and Linux on the same Disk
Install Windows NT first. If you want to use NTFS for your Windows
NT-partition, keep in mind, that the todays production version of Linux
cannot access NTFS partitions.
I have read from a beta driver that can read NTFS-Partitions.
You may create a separate FAT-Partition for data exchange
or you have to use DOS-formatted floppies.
Another Mini-howto recommends not to use NTs "Disk Administartor"
to create the Linux swap- and root-partitions. It is sufficient to
see the free space there. I also recommend to use linux's fdisk later.
Now boot linux from diskettes, create the swap and root-partition.
Fdisk assumes the ntfs-partition to be a HPFS-partition.
This is normal.
Boot again from diskettes and install Linux as you like.
Just in case the installation procedure suggests that you could mount
the HPFS partition which it has found: Ignore it.
When you come to the Lilo-Section, specify your Linux-root-partition
as your boot device because the Master Boot Record (MBR) of your
harddisk is owned by Windows NT.
If you have a IDE-harddisk and your Linux-partition is is the second
partition, your boot-entry in /etc/lilo.conf looks like:
boot=/dev/hda2
Run lilo with a kernel that matches your system.
Check the kernel by booting from diskette first if you are not sure.
If you cannot boot Windows NT now, you have a problem.
I hope you have created a repair-disk recently.
4. The Linux part of the work
You have to boot from diskettes until the NT-part is fixed.
Now you have to peel the bootsector from the your Linux-root-Partition.
With /dev/hda2 as your linux-partition, the dd-command is:
# dd if=/dev/hda2 of=/bootsect.lnx bs=512 count=1
There is something wrong if your bootsect.lnx has more
than 512 bytes.
Now copy the file bootsect.lnx to a DOS-formated floppy if this is
your way to transfer files to the NTFS-Windows-partition.
You can copy it with
# mcopy /bootsect.lnx a:
or with
# mount -t msdos /dev/fd0 /mnt
# copy /bootsect.lnx /mnt
# umount /mnt
5. The Windows NT part of the work
Copy the file from the diskette to C:\bootsect.lnx . I don't tell you
how to do that.
What lilo.conf is for linux is c:\boot.ini for Windows NT.
Remove the, system- and the read-only-attribute before you
can modify it with:
C:\attrib -s -r c:\boot.ini
Now change the file boot.ini with an editor, notepad for example, as follows:
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="Windows NT Workstation ...
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="Windows NT Workstation ...
C:\BOOTSECT.LNX="Linux"
Only the last line has been added in this example.
Restore the attributes after you have saved boot.ini with:
C:\attrib +s +r c:\boot.ini
After a shutdown of your Windows NT and a restart your should
see the following:
OS Loader V4.00
Please select the operating system to start:
Windows NT Workstation Version 4.0
Windows NT Workstation Version 4.0 [VGA mode]
Linux
Select Linux and see
LILO loading zImage ....
6. Play it again Sam
A new copy of bootsect.lnx must be transfererd to C:\BOOTSECT.LNX
every time the bootsector of your linux-partition has been modified.
This happens for example when you install a new kernel with lilo.
As you can see such a system in not ideal for testing experimental
kernels.
7. Open points
How can I boot Linux on another disk.
8. References
* The Linux+WindowsNT mini-HOWTO
* The FAQ for FreeBSD 2.X
9. Feedback
Any comments are welcome.