Ubuntu

Must I use Live CD to dual boot XP with Ubuntu?

Asked by allmightypc

problem: I must have Live CD in cdrom drive to boot to Ubuntu. With Live CD in cd drive splash screen is displayed and I select "boot from 1st harddrive", then Ubuntu boots fine.
Without the Live CD in the cdrom drive, the machine boots directly to XP.
Goal: To boot the machine and have a choice as to which OS to boot into.
Info: I installed Ubuntu using this same Live CD and installed using "guided" and 1st drive on the partition list. After perusing the many helpful posts and documents on this site and others, I see that "grub" with Linux is the equivilent of "mbr" with windoze. During the installation of Ubuntu I wasn't asked anything about where "grub" is to installed.
Below is some info on the drives and their uses:

mike@mike-desktop:~$ sudo fdisk -l

Disk /dev/hda: 80.0 GB, 80026361856 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 9729 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

   Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/hda1 * 1 9542 76646083+ 83 Linux
/dev/hda2 9543 9729 1502077+ 5 Extended
/dev/hda5 9543 9729 1502046 82 Linux swap / Solaris

Disk /dev/sda: 120.0 GB, 120034123776 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 14593 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

   Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 1 13499 108430686 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda2 13500 14593 8787555 7 HPFS/NTFS

Disk /dev/hdb: 41.1 GB, 41110142976 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 4998 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

   Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/hdb1 * 1 1305 10482381 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/hdb2 1306 4996 29647957+ f W95 Ext'd (LBA)
/dev/hdb5 1306 2610 10482381 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/hdb6 2611 3250 5140768+ 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/hdb7 3251 4996 14024713+ 7 HPFS/NTFS

Disk /dev/sdb: 61.4 GB, 61492838400 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 7476 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

   Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdb1 1 7472 60018808+ 7 HPFS/NTFS
mike@mike-desktop:~$

Thank you in advance.
Sincerely,
Mike McArdle

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Solved by:
Jensen Somers
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Revision history for this message
allmightypc (cleanlawn) said : 		#1

Is there anyone that has a solution for this?? I can provide more information if needed.
Thank you.

Revision history for this message
Best Jensen Somers (jsomers) said : 		#2

This might be because GRUB is not installed correctly.
You should try to reconfigure grub and make sure it has been installed in the boot record of your primary HD.
If you have multiple HDD's it might be that a simple switch of order in the computer BIOS does the trick.

Revision history for this message
allmightypc (cleanlawn) said : 		#3

How do I locate Grub?

Revision history for this message
allmightypc (cleanlawn) said : 		#4

More info: Xp was installed first, on the sata drive 120 gig. Ubuntu Fiesty installed second onto 1st ide drive 80 gig.
Hope this helps.

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allmightypc (cleanlawn) said : 		#5

Okay....somebody hit me!! :-) Just noticed that the Live CD ISO that I burned is for i386....I have an AMD cpu....Am downloading the ISO for AMD now. Will reinstall and reconfigure all my hard work. I will post back if this re-install with proper ISO resolves my dualboot problem.
Cheers!

Revision history for this message
Jim Hutchinson (jphutch) said : 		#6

Actually, there is no difference between the iso for AMD or Intel. Only the PPC (older Macs) is different or if you want to run the 64 bit version (also the same for 64 bit Intel and AMD). I would not recommend 64 bit unless you know you need it as it's not as desktop friendly yet.

If you are having problems with burning the iso, make sure you are actually burning an iso and not a data CD. Also burn it slow. In the past fast burns tended to cause problems.

GRUB is a whole different issue. Once ubuntu is installed, if you have grub problems open a new question.

Revision history for this message
allmightypc (cleanlawn) said : 		#7

Hi Jim,
Thanks for taking the time to post.
Since there is no difference in the 2 iso's, then can you help me with Grub and dual boot? As Grub/dualboot problem is the original question/problem.
I can type and enter any commands that will help you to help me.
Sincerely,
Mike McArdle

Revision history for this message
allmightypc (cleanlawn) said : 		#8

Thanks Jensen Somers, that solved my question.

Revision history for this message
allmightypc (cleanlawn) said : 		#9

Thank you Jensen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you have multiple HDD's it might be that a simple switch of order in the computer BIOS does the trick.
It did the trick!
You are the Man of the Hour!!!!!!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Did I say Thank you?

It was perfect advice. I didn't implement it correctly at first because I have so many drives and partitions on this new Mobo. I just went down the list of drives, "first boot" ing them and presto I found the correct one that gives me (for the first time) something about GRUB loading, then a nice menu to choose which OS to boot into. Just so everyone knows, I tested booting into XP and Fiesty, both are perfect!!! Thanks again Jensen Somers!
any questions, feel free to email me.