Re: Adding FC5 to an XP computer -

[Bob Goodwin <bobgoodwin wildblue net>]

Bob Goodwin wrote:
> Tim wrote:
> > Just quoting the salient points:
> >
> > Bob Goodwin wrote:
> >  
> > > > > XP Home is already installed and I have no way to reinstall it, no 
> > > > > o/s
> > > > > CD's are provided.
> > > > >         
> >
> >
> > Tim:
> >  
> > > > If you want to keep the XP installation as-is, and the Linux 
> > > > completely
> > > > separate, I'd consider:
> > > >      2. Modifying the XP bootloader menu so that *it* is used to boot
> > > >         itself, or Linux.
> > > >      3. Copying a file copy of the Linux bootblock onto the XP 
> > > > drive for
> > > >         that XP bootloader to work with.
> > > >       
> >
> >
> > Aaron Konstam:
> >  
> > > Thhis used to be the wqay to do it in the RedHat Linux days. But for a
> > > long time under Fedora grub does the job without any extra effort.
> > >     
> >
> > Ordinarily, I'd use GRUB to handle booting, too.  But the original
> > poster mentioned not having any Windows install discs.  It seems prudent
> > to avoid altering the Windows installation in that situation.
> > Especially if one isn't familiar with fixing things up, after a problem,
> > the hard way.
> >   
> Prudent or not, the installation is now running with Grub and boot on 
> the mbr.
>
> If I break something I'll have to fix it somehow?
>
> So far things have gone smoothly, there was physical space for the drive
> and I was able to set bios to recognize the new second drive.  Hopefully
> the rest will go as uneventfully ...
>
> Bob Goodwin
I have installed fc5 from the dvd twice now to be certain I've done 
things correctly.  I believe I have.

The fc5 install is on the second drive, /dev/sdb.  XP is factory [Dell] 
installed and I have no install disk.  XP is of little importance to me 
but I would like to retain it is possible.  Both drives are 80G.

It should boot Linux from the mbr, /dev/sda on which XP resides,  grub 
is installed with FC5 designated as the default, but I never see a grub 
display at turn on, it simply boots XP right off without offering any 
alternative.

What am I doing wrong?


BobG