Dual boot but different hard drives

by Yumpin_Yimminie Jun 20, 2008 8:48AM PDT

Yesterday I tried converting my computer (with Windows XP) to a dual boot system using Ubuntu live disk. While it was partitioning the hard drive something happened and it exited prematurely. When I started up Windows XP I got the message stating that it would be a good idea to run Chkdsk and everything was fine. But it made me anxious because reinstalling Windows XP and all the programs and the data (documents, pics, videos, music, etc) takes a long time. The last time I did it I think it took somewhere between 16 and 20 hours.

So I was wondering if I could install or make a dual boot system where I wouldn't have to partition the 'sole' internal hard drive. Instead use an external hard drive to mount Ubuntu and run it from there.

If so could you tell me or point me to a URL that tells how it is done.

Thank you,
Jim

Discussion is locked

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Dual boot but different hard drives - works well

by tigerson1 Jun 22, 2008 8:06PM PDT

Hi Jim,
Earlier in my Linux "career", I managed to mess up my boot loader and Win installations. There are several ways around the problem you are referring to. I have kept WinXP on one machine and installed Linux Mint 5.0 (an Ubuntu derivative) on a separate ("slave") HD. The HD boot order is easily changed in the BIOS. The same idea works well also with two SATA drives and two different Linux installations (e.g. PCLOS and Ubuntu 8.04). Even more elegantly, smaller Linux distros (e.g. SLAX 6.0.7 and Puppy 4.0) do not need a HD but install easily to a bootable USB "stick", or in Puppy's case alternatively to a bootable writeable "multisession" CD/DVD, i.e. neither needs a HD.
Cheers

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question

by CardsFan29 Jun 27, 2008 2:12PM PDT

Hey tigerson1,

Have you had any success in the past installing Linux on a SATA drive while XP is on a PATA drive?

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dual-boot but different hard drives

by tigerson1 Jun 27, 2008 9:05PM PDT

Hi CardsFan29,
No, I have not tried the PATA/SATA combination you are referring to. I have WinXP and Ubuntu 8.04 on "master" and "slave" PATA's resp.I am curious to "hear" if WinXP on a PATA HD and a Linux distro on a SATA on the same machine do not work.
I have previously had different Linux distros on two SATA drives but have only kept Mint 5.0 on SATA1, using SATA2 for storage (planning a merger with a LCD TV).
Cheers
Eric (tigerson is a Border Collie canine)

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I might switch configurations

by CardsFan29 Jun 29, 2008 12:23PM PDT

What I might end up doing is purchasing the SATA drive and use that as the new Master Drive for Windows XP and use the PATA drive for Ubuntu. I have seen some posts about that on the Ubuntu forums. I have recently purchased Arconis True image, so the transition from PATA to SATA drives for my Windows XP shouldn't be a big deal.

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What about...

by CardsFan29 Jun 29, 2008 1:37PM PDT

Have you ever tried disconnecting the Hard Drive that contains XP, install Ubuntu on the second drive, and then after installation reconnect the XP drive? Changing the BIOS on which HD boots first would seem like a much better option then dealing with GRUB. Or does that cause any problems?

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dual-boot but different hard drives

by tigerson1 Jun 29, 2008 7:09PM PDT

Hi CardsFan29,
That is the way I set up and am dual-booting a machine with WinXP(home) on a "master" PATA drive, and Ubuntu 8.04 on the "slave" PATA drive.
It became necessary when I ran out of WinXP OEM "activation" episodes on a previous Win installation and did not want to risk the same again with another WinXP OEM. It works well the way you described it. I have not tried the same with mixed PATA/SATA drives, and am presently trying to get away from HD:s altogether by solid state booting like the Asus eee system. These are "early days" and the cost/capacity equation is still running approx. 5:1 in HD's favor.
Cheers
sylvestris

Dual boot but different hard drives

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