Do I need a boot loader if I want to run only Linux?

[netstrider]

Well until thus far I have not used Linux on it's own. I've always been dual or triple booting it with either Windows and my distro or two distro's and Windows or just two distro's.

Now here's the question, if I want to run only Ubuntu for say, do I need grub or any boot loader or will it boot automatically like Windows... ?

[devils casper]

it will automatically boot up Linux BUT it will also install Boot Loader in MBR of Harddisk.
Boot Loader is necessary to invoke boot procedure. it reads menu.lst and device.map file. on selecting any Title in the GRUB Menu, it shift control to the kernal associated with that title.
Windows also use Boot Loader but you dont get any option at boot up coz it isn't configured to do that. you could configure Windows Boot Loader by editing boot.ini file in a correct way.





Casper

[netstrider]

What I actually want to know is whether it will still prompt me and have a time-lag to boot Linux or will it just run into it...?

[devils casper]

Yes. you will have three Titles in GRUB menu. Ubuntu, Failsafe and Floppy. GRUB will wait for the input. if you dont want that, set value of timeout to 0 in menu.lst file.








Casper

[netstrider]

Thanks a bunch for the help

[devils casper]

Thanks a bunch for the help

you are Welcome, but why are you rolling eyes?






Casper

[netstrider]

I just thought it's a polite smiley .

I was thinking of another question btw, instead of re-installing my current Ubuntu installation (which I so dearly love) is there a way I can create another partition and move my HOME partition there because currently the whole of Ubuntu is only on a 20GB HDD...

[devils casper]

I just thought it's a polite smiley .

haha !! i thought so...

I was thinking of another question btw, instead of re-installing my current Ubuntu installation (which I so dearly love) is there a way I can create another partition and move my HOME partition there because currently the whole of Ubuntu is only on a 20GB HDD...

yes. you can do that but you have to preserve symlinks and premissions.
check this link. its from Gentoo wiki, works for all distros and instructions are simple and perfect.







Casper

[netstrider]

Thanks very much and I'll check the link, I just managed to update Dapper to Edgy via mounting the ISO and then run the "distroupgrade" icon . So all I need now is more space...

[devils casper]

I just managed to update Dapper to Edgy via mounting the ISO and then run the "distroupgrade" icon .

Well Done !!!!
check if sources.list got updated or not. it should refer to 'Edgy' sources now.

less /etc/apt/sources.list

Casper