On Fri, 5 Sep 2008 23:31:56 +0100 "Andrew Nixon" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Ok strange question but i have a ubuntu system that is running only > ubuntu, and i could do with doing a dual install with windows, > however i am not keen to have to format. I really need the dual boot > with windows for performance reasons on this project and am > struggling to think of a way to do it without messing up my MBR etc.. > does anyone have any ideas, a backup and restore from my current > install would be a possibility if anyone has any good ideas for doing > that. > > Thanks, Andrew. As far as I know windows cannot be installed inside a logical partition and I have also heard it cannot be installed within any other partition than the first one on the disk. If both are true then I would recommend backing up all the data on the hard drive and then using a tool such as gparted to move your current ubuntu install over and make a primary partition at the beginning of the disk for windows. Once you have done that you can then get windows installed but then grub will no longer be present as the windows bootloader overwrites it. That is no problem though, just boot an ubuntu live cd and then do the following: 1. open a terminal and run the command "sudo grub" 2. in the grub prompt type "find /boot/grub/stage1" and note the output. 3. next type "root (hd0,1)" in the grub prompt replacing the hd0,1 with the output from the previous command. 4. then in the grub prompt type "setup (hd0)" 5. grub should now be restore and you can type "quit" at the grub prompt and restart the PC to check all went well. The information on how to restore grub was taken from the quick start section at https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RecoveringUbuntuAfterInstallingWindows#Quick%20Start and this is the method I usually use if I have to install windows next to a previous ubuntu install or if windows needs reinstalling and overwrites grub. The other option is to run windows inside a virtual machine within ubuntu. If you plan to do this then I recommend VirtualBox. -- Jason Liquorish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
