multibooting linux with XP

[james_deepak]

HAI,

Can anyone give me a detailed procedure of how to create an DVD that can install windows and Linux distribution with an boot menu

[kof94]

Super-Disc: Multi-Boot Project CD/DVD Using ISOLINUX, A HOWTO and Conversation

Linux and Multi-Boot

These should get you started

[james_deepak]

I sort of expected a beginner tutorial.But thanks a lot!!!!!!!

[kof94]

The only full blown tutorial I know of is Flyakite's guide. It's a bit old now though and focuses mainly on Windows and using CDShell (now discontinued) as the boot loader.

Edited September 30, 2008 by kof94

[james_deepak]

So i need to wait for someone to write a tutorial? that's great

[phaeton]

james,

When you figure it out you can post a tutorial for the next person that needs it

[kof94]

I've been making multi-boot discs for the last three years and apart from Flyakite's guide the bulk of my knowledge has been acquired right here in this forum.

Trail and error is the key as well as the ability to search (Google is your friend) and ask specific questions.

What I'm trying to say is... if your looking for an detailed guide that just happens to fit your exact needs you'll be waiting a long time.

[james_deepak]

thanks for the encouragement guys.Well i'll set on journey to create the guide that i wanted.(of course with trial and error)Can anyone give me booting process for linux ie(for xpCD it's PRO1.dat then setupldr.bin and then txt.sif) for linux i need one

[Jotnar]

It all depends on the linux distro though most use ISOLinux to do the boot menu. Which one did you want to use?

[james_deepak]

well i wanted

DSL

Open Suse Live CD and not the Live CD

dont forget UBUNTU offcourse

[james_deepak]

Can anyone suggest me the best boot loader (which can handle any situations,like booting image,making menu,passing command to grub,..etc)

[cdob]

There is no best boot loader arround.

All have restrictions. There dosn't exist a boot loader using best features of all.

Some examples, not complete:

BCDW:

+does chainload setupldr.bin

+does hexedit setupldr.bin in RAM

+does chainload isolinux and grub4dos

-not developed since 2004, work arround for 2003 SP1 checksum not integrated

-fails at some newer strange BIOS

-works from CD/DVD only

Isoliux, part of sylinux project:

+activley developed

+a lot CD use this, therefore tested at a lot of hardware

-dosn't chainload setupldr.bin

-XP boot sector is requried, boot sector fails at rock ridge file system

-dosn't hexedit setupldr.bin in RAM

grub4dos:

+activley developed

+does chainload setupldr.bin

-dosn't hexedit setupldr.bin in RAM

+swap drive order virtually

+works from CD, internal HDD, USB

As for a XP multi boot CD: BCDW

As for a windows and linux multi boot DVD: isolinux

As for a general multi boot DVD: grub4dos

[jetman]

<snip>

Isoliux, part of sylinux project:

+activley developed

+a lot CD use this, therefore tested at a lot of hardware

-dosn't chainload setupldr.bin

-XP boot sector is requried, boot sector fails at rock ridge file system

-dosn't hexedit setupldr.bin in RAM

<snip>

As for a XP multi boot CD: BCDW

As for a windows and linux multi boot DVD: isolinux

As for a general multi boot DVD: grub4dos

@cdob

I haven't tried this [yet], but w/ SYSLINUX-3.70, CHAIN can now load files like SETUPLDR.BIN, NTLDR, etc. Also the comment about 'boot sector fails at rock ridge filesystem', isn't that a limitation of Windows itself ? I encountered that problem from a SuperDisc of mine with FreeBSD, Linux, and Windows. Only Windows didn't work, but FreeBSD didn't work w/ RR enabled, so FreeBSD had to go !

I also would disagree w/ the last line: it's really a tossup bet G4D and ISOLINUX, as far as a general-purps multi-boot DVD system. G4D does surpass SYSLINUX as a g/p, all-media boot loader bec just two or three files do everything in G4D. G4D/GRUB can support really arcane and complex boot configurations, that SYSLINUX can't touch. But then how many people ever really need those features for a multi-boot CD/DVD ?

[cdob]

SYSLINUX-3.70, CHAIN can now load files like SETUPLDR.BIN

Thanks, I didn't recogniced this new feature so far.

However I'm used to use CAIN to chainload another hard disk in the past.

Does this refer to the same DVD too nowadays?

Also the comment about 'boot sector fails at rock ridge filesystem', isn't that a limitation of Windows itself ?

Yes, of course. But I can't change boot sector myself. I need a solution supporting my needs.

As for myself I like to use file system ISO9660:1999 and rock ridge at DVD.

My choosen boot environment has to support this.

But then how many people ever really need those features for a multi-boot CD/DVD ?

Sorry I used a wrong word: general. Let's say for some special features.

Overall I can't recomend a single boot loader: There is no best boot loader arround.

All have benefits and weak points.

I'm using BCDW, syslinux and grub4dos at different projects.

[jetman]

Thanks, I didn't recogniced this new feature so far.

However I'm used to use CAIN to chainload another hard disk in the past.

Does this refer to the same DVD too nowadays?

I hope so.

Also the comment about 'boot sector fails at rock ridge filesystem', isn't that a limitation of Windows itself ?Yes, of course. But I can't change boot sector myself. I need a solution supporting my needs.

As for myself I like to use file system ISO9660:1999 and rock ridge at DVD.

My choosen boot environment has to support this.

What are the advantages of RockRidge ?

But then how many people ever really need those features for a multi-boot CD/DVD ?

Sorry I used a wrong word: general. Let's say for some special features.

Overall I can't recomend a single boot loader: There is no best boot loader arround.

All have benefits and weak points.

I'm using BCDW, syslinux and grub4dos at different projects.

No argument from me....