[SOLVED] cant choose which OS to boot

[dukeofjazz]

ive set up linux mandriva on my hard disk after wiping windows completly. during set up, i left part of my disk blank so i could dual boot windows at a later stage. im now at that stage and have installed windows on the blank bit.
the problem im having is that i cant choose which OS to boot, windows seems to have taken over.
any ideas or sugestions?
chears.
Edd

[yancek]

Just to clarify, you installed Mandriva, left free space to install windows and eventually installed windows (which version?)? If that is the case, the windows installation wrote over your mbr and you won't be able to boot Linux. You need to either put an entry in your windows bootloader for Mandriva or re-install Grub. You should be able to use your install CD or you could download the SuperGrubDisk and repair Grub. SGD is a small download and a handy tool to have and I would suggest that as the first option.

[devils casper]

Dual boot doesn't work in a few machines if one installs Windows OS after Linux.
As yancek suggested, boot up from SuperGRUB CD and select 'Fix Linux Boot Loader (GRUB)' option.

[dukeofjazz]

chears guys, i actualy ended up reinstalled my linux, and it seems to have fixed its self. linux noticed that windows was already on and it just worked! way better than windows.
Edd

[devils casper]

Almost all Linux installers detect Windows OS and setup dual boot by default.
If you face similar problem in future, use SuperGRUB CD instead of re-installing OS.
Enjoy Linux !