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    Triple Boot: Vista, Ubuntu 7.10, and XP

    Discussion in 'HP' started by timtravel42, Jan 14, 2008.

  1. timtravel42

    timtravel42 Notebook Virtuoso

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    I am trying to install Windows XP Pro with Vista and Ubuntu 7.10 already installed and GRUB as the boot manager. Does anyone know if it is possible to install XP without rewriting the MBR so I could just use GRUB to select between Vista, Ubuntu, and XP?
    -thanks
    V3loc1ty2.0
     
    timtravel42, Jan 14, 2008
    #1
  2. John B

    John B Notebook Prophet

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    When you install XP, it will automatically rewrite the MBR.
     
    John B, Jan 14, 2008
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  3. timtravel42

    timtravel42 Notebook Virtuoso

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    is there any way to make it not overwrite the MBR?
     
    timtravel42, Jan 14, 2008
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  4. John B

    John B Notebook Prophet

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    Anyway, you will have to modify GRUB settings...
     
    John B, Jan 14, 2008
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  5. timtravel42

    timtravel42 Notebook Virtuoso

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    But how do i keep GRUB if the XP install will overwrite the MBR?
     
    timtravel42, Jan 15, 2008
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  6. radnor

    radnor Notebook Enthusiast

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    I would install the M$ os(es) first. Then Ubuntu. Ubuntu would like to rewrite the MBR. I just have Vista and Ubuntu on my system. 1st install, I let GRUB rewrite the MBR. I lost the soft keys and the recovery partition. HP must write some code there.... .02 :mad:

    Then I reloaded VIA recovery CD. 2nd install of Ubuntu I told it to write GRUB to the partition and NOT the MBR. Then I created a boot CD. After Ubuntu is up and running you can remove the CD and use the drive for other tasks. Now I still have use of the soft keys.
     
    radnor, Jan 15, 2008
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  7. dinapoli

    dinapoli Notebook Consultant

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    Is it even possible to install 3 OS into a machine?
     
    dinapoli, Jan 15, 2008
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  8. Reby

    Reby Notebook Consultant

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    Sure they are just multiple selections in the MBR, one for each OS. The only caveat would be you'd want to do 3 separate partitions, again one for each OS. I dual booted my laptop with Vista and XP and it was pretty easy, however I'm not a Linux guy so I don't have any other useful input. :(

    -Reby
     
    Reby, Jan 15, 2008
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  9. radnor

    radnor Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yes, it's very easy! On a system at home I have Ubuntu for everyday stuff, Ubuntu server (TESTING my work), and a few other Linux distros. GRUB did it all.

    On another system I used "partman : Ranish Partition Manager".
     
    radnor, Jan 16, 2008
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  10. linuxrick

    linuxrick Notebook Enthusiast

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    Not sure if its possible to keep MBR XP does overwrite it(in my experience) and Vista seems even worse with the MBR hogging.

    There were some threads on the Ubuntu how-to forums on repairing GRUB, also never used it but check this out...

    http://supergrub.forjamari.linex.org/
     
    linuxrick, Jan 16, 2008
    #10