Boot Options On Install

[lindsey]

Can some savvy Linux person explain to me the boot options encountered on OpenSUSE 11.2 install, and their relative advantages disadvantages. The context is dual booting with Windows 7 and SUSE 11.2.

I note that many different combinations are possible to this effect:

Option 1: "Status Location"
Here, as I understand it you can place GRUB into MBR and/or root (/).

Option 2: "Change Location"
Boot from MBR is enabled/disabled
Boot from "/" partition is enabled/disabled

I assume here that Option 2 depends on Option 1 above, that if you don't install grub onto the partition you want it to boot from, you don't have the option of booting it from that partition?

I mean it's a bit confusing and non-obvious here - why would you want to install GRUB onto a partition but subsequently not want to boot from that partition? Please explain!

I mean I have no idea of the implications of where GRUB is placed. What is the best configuration me yours truly? Please mind that previously I had problems with recovering MBR using Windows Recovery (fixmbr) when I deleted my SUSE partition. Should I take this into account and how can one avoid this?

[gogalthorp]

Generally speaking if you have only Windows and one version of Linux then boot from MBR is the way to go. Windows does not understand Linux thus Linux (grub) must control the boot. With more Linux versions other options may be appropriate depending on which Linux you want to control the boot.

[lindsey]

Generally speaking if you have only Windows and one version of Linux then boot from MBR is the way to go. Windows does not understand Linux thus Linux (grub) must control the boot. With more Linux versions other options may be appropriate depending on which Linux you want to control the boot.

In effect, should I take it you are advising:

Status Location: dev/sda1 (MBR)

Boot from MBR is enabled
Boot from "/" partition is disabled

?

[linuxforever]

One cannot say which way should be the best.
They work both fine.
It's just a matter of what suits you best.

Placing the bootloader in the MBR works fine, as I did it mostly.
But it doesn't damage the MBR, it only changes it.
The fact that you have to use fixmbr is that windows doesn't understand linux as gogalthorp already said.
The MBR is the Master Boot Record of the HDD which is set to boot from.
There are also other bootmanagers, but linux Lilo or GRUB are just the best.

So you have to decide what way you should go.
And figure out what suits you best.
GRUB can be set to boot from any HDD on any partition.