Two hard drives, two OS's?

[Skiz]

I read this thread...

/forum/installation/148579-multi-boot-multi-hardrives-help.html

...but it either didn't answer my question or it went right over my head.

I used to have a single hard drive with Windows and Linux on it. It was easy to set up and I was prompted to select an OS every time I started my computer.

Now, I have two completely separate hard drives. One currently has Vista and the other has a fresh install of LinuxMint on it. The problem is, I can't get Linux to boot.

When I installed Linux on the new drive, I chose "Use entire hard drive" as I want the new drive to be solely for Linux.

How can I get my computer to prompt me again to choose between the two OS's when I power up the computer?

I've even changed the boot sequence in BIOS to look at the Linux drive first, thinking that would make it boot Linux or at least ask me, but it doesn't; Vista still boots up.

PS - Please keep your answers on a novice level.

[vickey_20]

have you loaded boot loader on the linux HDD

[Skiz]

I'm not real sure to be honest.

I've installed Linux Mint 7 Gloria.

Previously, when I installed it on the same drive as Windows (separate partition of course), I had to set up partitions for SWAP and EXT3 only. I assume it was setting up the boot loader info on its own?

This time, since it was a new drive, I chose to use the entire drive. I wasn't even asked to set up the SWAP or EXT3 partitions. I assume it did everything on its own.

*unsure*

[vickey_20]

try connecting only the HDD on which linux is installed . Then post here if you get any errors.

[Skiz]

Nothing boots. In DOS it just says DHCP with a spinning "/".

[vickey_20]

what do you mean by DOS , u must have booted only form linux HDD detach the other HDD from you computer

[vickey_20]

If Linux was propely installed on the other HDD it must boot fine when only one HDD (i.e the one having linux ) is connected to the computer provided it has a bootloader. I hope this helps you

[Skiz]

I did. Only the Linux drive is plugged in. Maybe it isn't dos but I don't know what else to call it. When I power up the computer, there is a black screen as always. The first thing on the screen is nvidia something. Then a bunch of stuff loads and scrolls by in like a half a second.

It finally comes to a line that says:

client mac addr: (insert bunch of numbers) guid (insert bunch of numbers)
dhcp / (spinning "/")

[Skiz]

Ok, after some ten minutes of spinning, it now says:

PXE-E53: no boot filename recieved

PXE-M0F: exitin nvidia boot agent.
Disk boot failure, insert system disc and press enter

[vickey_20]

it might be a case of corrupt installation , did you do a disk check before installing??