On Sun, May 26, 2013 at 12:35:33AM +0200, André Pirard wrote: > Package: debian-installer > > Short, practical, typical story: Mr X followed good advices. > - He installed the so nice and easy to understand GAG multi-boot > - He installed the so nice Debian system or derivative > He followed the "normal", by default installation options and Debian > wiped out GAG. > He reinstalled GAG but he could not configure it to boot Debian. > He found dozens and dozens of even worse horror stories: many people had > lost access to their running Debian system after many hours of service. > > Conclusion #1 : a partition containing a Debian (or any) system MUST > ALWAYS contain an OS bootloader (Grub) activated by loading the PBR even > if (in addition to) another means to boot Debian is initially used, so that: > - Debian booting can be restored by normal booting methods and tools > - Debian can continue to boot if the partition is copied (to another drive) > - etc.
Not all filesystems allow that. Of course you are allowed to create a dedicated partition for the bootloader, mount it as /boot/grub and flag it bootable and install grub there. Of course UEFI systems booted in UEFI mode would already use a dedicated boot partition for the boot loaders. > Conclusion #2: installing the Grub OS bootloader on the MBR is a bad > idea: one cannot have each kind of systems on a disk install its own > different OS bootloader on the same MBR and erase the others. > If multi-boot or booting a logical partition is needed, an independent, > graphical and easy to use program like GAG is ideal. > The Debian liveCD should have an option to install one or repair it (in > start menu or during installation). > The only hindrance of GAG is that is must be configured by moving icons > to its main window before working. > It would be much easier if the main window were pre-populated with all > icons for every partitions, with options to modify an icon, erase it, > reorder it or move it aside (test boot, reset PC, configure and save > what has just been tested, loop) For most users it is the best place for a boot loader. Most OSs you can install do this. Debian asks if you want to install to the MBR. Windows just does it. -- Len Sorensen -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to debian-bugs-dist-requ...@lists.debian.org with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact listmas...@lists.debian.org
