Ubuntu
ubiquity package

how to create an OS menu option during PC startup

Asked by Richard

Can I add a line to the Windows XP boot.ini file so when I boot up my PC a menu appears asking which OS I want to load?

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect

I have WinXP as default (HDD, C:) and working fine, as in the boot.ini file above.
I have Linux on my USB Flash drive (G:)
Can I just add a line under the multi(0) line pointing to the LInux OS? G:\" ???? "

assuming it is as easy as that, does the PC get into trouble if I boot without the USB drive plugged in but the boot.ini configured to expect two OS.... ?

Question information

Language:
English Edit question
Status:
Solved
For:
Ubuntu ubiquity Edit question
Assignee:
No assignee Edit question
Solved by:
actionparsnip
Solved:
Last query:
Last reply:
Revision history for this message
Best actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#1

If you install grub2 using the liveCD you can boot both OSes using that. The Windows bootloader is extremely lacking wheras grub is very flexible and able.

Revision history for this message
Richard (mann-ie) said : 		#2

Thanks actionparsnip, that solved my question.