How to Install MS Windows With Linux

Setting up a computer to run both Windows and Linux is an option used by people who enjoy the flexibility of having multiple operating systems. In a dual-boot environment, the order of installation is important. Install Windows after Linux overwrites the master boot record, which must be repaired before Linux can boot. A Windows system such as Vista can be installed on a computer that is already running a Linux distribution such as Ubuntu when you know how.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Windows installation disk
• Windows product key
• Linux live operating system/installation disk

1. Back up the GRUB boot menu. In Ubuntu for example, open a terminal and type "sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst" (without quotes) at the prompt. When the file opens, go to "File," then "Save As." Save a copy of the file on your desktop.

2. Create a partition for Windows. Place the Linux installation disk in the optical drive, then restart the computer. Follow the prompts to access the partition editor, then create a new partition that is at least 10GB, and is formatted with the NTFS file system.

3. Install Windows. Restart the system, remove the Linux disk, then load the Windows installation disk. In Vista for example, select your language then click "Install Now." Select "Custom" then click "Next." Enter the product key and other information, if prompted.

4. Make the Windows partition active. Press "Shift + F10," then type "diskpart" in the terminal, and click "Enter." Type "select disk 0" then "list partition" to display partition information. Select the partition by typing "select partition 2" (replace 2 with the number of the partition), type "active" and then "exit." Select the Windows partition when prompted, then click "Next" to complete the installation.

5. Repair the GRUB boot loader. Restart the computer with the Linux installation disk, and enter the live desktop environment. Open a terminal, then type "sudo grub" and click "Enter." Type the following commands in order (press the "Enter" key after each command): "root (hd0,0)" "setup (hd0)" "quit," and then "exit."

6. Add Windows to the GRUB boot loader. Reboot the system, remove the Linux disk, then log into your Linux partition. Open a terminal and type, "sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst," then add the following to the bottom of the page (hit "Enter" after each): "title Windows" "root (hd0,1)" "makeactive" and "chainloader +1." Save the file then reboot the system.

7. Hit "Esc" when the GRUB boot loader launches to enter the boot menu. Your Linux operating system will be listed first, then Windows. Scroll to the system you want to boot into, then press "Enter."

Tips & Warnings

• Every time you restart your computer, it will boot into Linux by default (after 3 seconds), unless you choose Windows in the boot menu.

References

• Ubuntu Documentation

[roshan143]

on 7/27/2009 #

Repair the GRUB boot loader. Restart the computer with the Linux installation disk, and enter the live desktop environment. Open a terminal, then type "sudo grub" and click "Enter." Type the following commands in order (press the "Enter" key after each command): "root (hd0,0)" "setup (hd0)" "quit," and then "exit."
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Step 6

Add Windows to the GRUB boot loader. Reboot the system, remove the Linux disk, then log into your Linux partition. Open a terminal and type, "sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst," then add the following to the bottom of the page (hit "Enter" after each): "title Windows" "root (hd0,1)" "makeactive" and "chainloader +1." Save the file then reboot the system.

[roshan143]

on 7/27/2009 1.
Step 1

Back up the GRUB boot menu. In Ubuntu for example, open a terminal and type "sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst" (without quotes) at the prompt. When the file opens, go to "File," then "Save As." Save a copy of the file on your desktop.
2.
Step 2

Create a partition for Windows. Place the Linux installation disk in the optical drive, then restart the computer. Follow the prompts to access the partition editor, then create a new partition that is at least 10GB, and is formatted with the NTFS file system.
3.
Step 3

Install Windows. Restart the system, remove the Linux disk, then load the Windows installation disk. In Vista for example, select your language then click "Install Now." Select "Custom" then click "Next." Enter the product key and other information, if prompted.
4.
Step 4

Make the Windows partition active. ...