Dual Boot not working

[chidol4u]

Please I need help with my linux installation.I'm almost giving up on trying linux as I am having problems after problems with the installation.I tried Ubuntu first which would not find any file system on my pc even after using partition magic to create an ext3 partition and a swap space.anyway,i've been able to get past this by using Fedora core 6 which did the partitioning by itself.It's acknowledged that the installation is complete.Now,I think i installed the bootloader in the Linux partition.When i reboot,it goes straight into windows instead of prompting me to choose between the two OS.I have run the cd again and tried all possible configs for installing the bootloader (ie to both the linux and windows partitions,MBR etc) but i get one "No handler yum...." error and it eventually says no bootloader was installed and then prompts me to reboot.

Please does anyone have any idea what i'm doing wrong here.I'm out of ideas now.I've read several articles but they all write complex procdeures and commands of how to plan and implement dual boot.I don't understand this.is there another way.I installed the GRUB bootloader asthis was the only option i was given during the installation

[devils casper]

Hi chidol4u !

Welcome to the LinuxForums !!!

Please does anyone have any idea what i'm doing wrong here.

you installed GRUB in Boot Sector. it should be installed in the MBR od Harddisk.

is there another way.I installed the GRUB bootloader asthis was the only option i was given during the installation

boot up from Fedora Installation CD/DVD and execute these command at boot: prompt

linux rescue
chroot /mnt/sysimage
grub-install /dev/hda

press Ctrl+D two times. machine will reboot...
( in case your harddisk is SATA, replace hda with sda )






Casper

[Dapper Dan]

Hi chidol4u and welcome to the forums.

Consider yourself lucky. Most in your situation complain that the boot loader boots Linux but will no longer boot Windows!

Are you getting a grub boot loader screen at all? Or does it just go straight to Windows without even stopping at a grub screen? If so then grub is not installed, or at least not to the MBR. If you put in the first CD and ran throught the process of installing grub to the MBR which is the default, you should then have the ability to boot to either Windows or Fedora. Do you have just one HD? Or is there two?

EDIT: Beat to the post by devils_casper yet again!

[chidol4u]

thanks a lot.I just tried running those commands.they went tru alright but it then made my system boot up with fedora alone.no option to choose windows.my windows dissappeared.second problem-linux is requesting login details.I know i either put off authentication or setup a username and password that i tried using a number of times but it kept saying they were incorrect.
I had to use FIXMBR to restore my windows mbr(so that i can at least come back to the forum).I've had so many problems that i should party when i get this linux working.
please,any ideas of what i should try now.I intend keeping my windows xp os please.i also need to change the default time fedora waits before choosing the fedora os.it's like 3 secs or so.that's too short

[devils casper]

you can reset root password, increase GRUB wait time and add an entry of Windows in GRUB.
* first of all, re-install GRUB. same procedure that i posted in last post.
before pressing Ctrl+D, execute 'passwd' command and assign new 'root' password. boot up Fedora and login as root.

* open /boot/grub/grub.conf file and look for line 'timeout'. set its value to 10 or 20 or whatever you want. its in seconds.

* look for line 'hiddenmenu' and put '#' sign before it.

* if there isn't any entry of Windows in grub.conf file, add this

title Windows
rootnoverify (hd0,0) 
chainloader +1

save file and reboot.
in case it doesn't work, post the contents of grub.conf file and output of 'fdisk -l' command here.





Casper

[chidol4u]

I've been able to get the fedora to work or at least i think so.i still haven't been able to open the /boot/grub/grub.conf file.do i need to use a command to open or read it?I tried using "help" to list commands but noticed that linux is different from windows.what command lists and explains commands for linux?

I tried typing it in straight as /boot/grub/grub.conf after the command prompt but i get "access denied or not permitted"-something like that".

I noticed that because the timeout to select an os is short,I tot i only had linux installed.when i hit enter to select menu,it gives me the option of choosing btw fedora and windows.

I can only log in by typing my username as "root" and the my password.can't i change this?my guess is that this log in doesn't give me the rights to edit that file.am i correct?

Iwas about celebrating when i got to this stage but "bang",I only saw a commmand prompt when i was expecting a windows interface.Is fedora a command prompt based os like DOS?How come i'm not getting a windows interface.when i log in using username:root password:........,I get to a command prompt line with [localhost@root]:.Is that it?Is that how it works or am I doing something else wrong?

Sorry man,hope I'm not slowing your brain down?

[devils casper]

lets take things one by one.
after logging as root, execute 'startx'. it will load GUI. you can edit /etc/inittab file for setting GUI as default. we will discuss that later.
now, if GUI works fine, double click on /boot/grub/grub.conf file and edit it. in case 'startx' fails, execute 'nano /boot/grub/grub.conf' in command line mode.
for help, you can use 'man' or 'info' commands.
man <command>

edit grub.conf first, setup dual boot properly and do post back....






Casper

[chidol4u]

Thanks a mill Casper.I'm actually typing this on Fedora.I've also edited the timeout to 15 seconds.what does putting # before the hidename line do?How often are you online?I am really excited about seeing what linux can do.Going through the OS now.I think I should let it log in with the command prompt and then run startx anytime i want to swich to GUI.That way,I'll be encouraged to use and remember the commands.
I would appreicate some pointers on things I can play with while going through it.When i was doing the installation,it prompted me to choose the option of configuring the OS as a Webserver,a workstation or a software development tool,does this make any difference as regards the capabilities of the OS.I chose workstation for now.don't want it to get too complicated yet.What's the difference btw these settings?

[devils casper]

i am glad i could help you.

what does putting # before the hidename line do?

in a few machines, GRUB menu doesn't appear at boot up coz of hiddenmenu line and one has to press Esc key to bring it up. if you put # sign before hiddenmenu line, GRUB menu will appear at startup.

I think I should let it log in with the command prompt and then run startx anytime i want to swich to GUI.That way,I'll be encouraged to use and remember the commands.

you can switch from GUI to command line any time. Alt+Ctrl+F7 is for default GUI mode. Alt+Ctrl+F1 to F6 are other terminal sessions.

When i was doing the installation,it prompted me to choose the option of configuring the OS as a Webserver,a workstation or a software development tool,does this make any difference as regards the capabilities of the OS.I chose workstation for now.don't want it to get too complicated yet.What's the difference btw these settings?

difference is in the packages that Installer installs on selecting Category.
Workstation, WebServer and Software Development.. Category name says a lot...

I would appreicate some pointers on things I can play with while going through it.

check here and learn a few important and useful commands.





Casper