Dual boot installation sequence

[chiefjim]

To create a new install using Win 7 which is the preferred method?

Install Win 7 first, shrink with the Windows tool, then proceed with Linux?

or

Partition first with the Live-CD, then install Win 7 and PCLOS?

Does it make any real difference in the end?

[shrinivas]

First install Win7.
In Win7, create partitions for root, home etc in an extended partition.
Then using the livecd, you can install PCLinuxOS.
Bootloader may be installed in the root folder or as suggested by the installation into the HD0 or whatever that it suggests.
If it is done as per the installation by PCLinuxOS, the dual booting will be taken care of by Linux.
If you install bootloader in its root, use EasyBCD Ver 2 (and above) by Neosmart technologies for dual-booting, that is controlled by Windows.
Before installation, please read about dual booting.
If done on the same hard drive, there won't be much of a problem.
Only if the OSs are on different hard drives, you need to exercise some caution.
Best of luck !

[Was_Just19]

To create a new install using Win 7 which is the preferred method?

Install Win 7 first, shrink with the Windows tool, then proceed with Linux?

or

Partition first with the Live-CD, then install Win 7 and PCLOS?

Does it make any real difference in the end?

I have not yet done it, but would be inclined to partition before installing Win7 ..... in that way there would be no need to reduce its partition after installation.

If it rejects the partition, then it can still be installed ... writing its own partition.

regards.

[chiefjim]

To create a new install using Win 7 which is the preferred method?

Install Win 7 first, shrink with the Windows tool, then proceed with Linux?

or

Partition first with the Live-CD, then install Win 7 and PCLOS?

Does it make any real difference in the end?

I have not yet done it, but would be inclined to partition before installing Win7 ..... in that way there would be no need to reduce its partition after installation.

If it rejects the partition, then it can still be installed ... writing its own partition.

regards.

That would be my preferred option.  I like how the partitioner here works.  Just wanting GRUB to work normally afterwards.  I keep seeing references to the EasyBCD but was under the original impression that would not be needed.

[Was_Just19]

To create a new install using Win 7 which is the preferred method?

Install Win 7 first, shrink with the Windows tool, then proceed with Linux?

or

Partition first with the Live-CD, then install Win 7 and PCLOS?

Does it make any real difference in the end?

I have not yet done it, but would be inclined to partition before installing Win7 ..... in that way there would be no need to reduce its partition after installation.

If it rejects the partition, then it can still be installed ... writing its own partition.

regards.

That would be my preferred option.  I like how the partitioner here works.  Just wanting GRUB to work normally afterwards.  I keep seeing references to the EasyBCD but was under the original impression that would not be needed.

After you have Win installed and corralled in its own wee space     you can install PCLOS and just write the bootloader (Grub) to the MBR as usual. Grub should also include a boot option for Windows.

There is no need for any other boot loader/boot manager.

If you install PCLOS first, then Win will overwrite the PCLOS Grub bootloader and it would have to be installed again ...... so Win first, followed by PCLOS.

Good luck.

regards.

[chiefjim]

After you have Win installed and corralled in its own wee space     you can install PCLOS and just write the bootloader (Grub) to the MBR as usual. Grub should also include a boot option for Windows.

There is no need for any other boot loader/boot manager.

If you install PCLOS first, then Win will overwrite the PCLOS Grub bootloader and it would have to be installed again ...... so Win first, followed by PCLOS.

Good luck.

regards.

That would be the same way I previously handled dual boot configurations with XP.  Then with Vista I thought I had read where it had to be done differently.  And of course Win 7 is really just Vista SP.

As to Win only having a wee space I hear ya.  Turns out she may want Win 7 for TurboTax and one or two other applications.  Starting with a 320gb hard drive I guess I'll give 7 about 50gb max.  That should hold all the malware and viri she's likely to collect.

[Was_Just19]

If there are some special requirements for Win 7 then I guess the internet would be full of such threads/blogs etc.
I did say at the outset that I have not installed Win 7 as yet ..... so it would be prudent to check around to see if there are any special requirements ....... I don't remember reading anything about such requirements.

regards.

[tom43]

                    The problem with Vista and Win7, is you can't throw in your Disc and do a: fixmbr, to delete the grub. I know this as a fact, as I have every OS that windows produced.LOL. My oldest son is a: MSDN member, so windows distro's are no problem for me. LOL.

[Was_Just19]

                    The problem with Vista and Win7, is you can't throw in your Disc and do a: fixmbr, to delete the grub. I know this as a fact, as I have every OS that windows produced.LOL. My oldest son is a: MSDN member, so windows distro's are no problem for me. LOL.

So how do you correct a corrupted MBR if only running Win7?

[tom43]

                   LOL. I've tried a few times by throwing the disc in and trying a repair, I think. LOL. It's been awhile. Win 7 and Vista give you about 4 options, of which none have worked for me. LOL. It's not a "lose all" for me because I use a "Boot Drive" IE: separate drive for the OS.