"Boot" and "System" on different drives - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

BenChuy · 10-22-2007, 09:30 PM

I am trying to figure out how to make ONE drive have the Boot and System distinction so I can erase the one currently labeled as system to use as a Linux drive. I have no clue why they can not be on the same one, but this is the 3rd time this has happened and I have tried several things to make it not be, but Windows wants to do things its own way.

SO, anyone have any idea on how to make this work? I know NOW that if i simply force a format of the current C drive (the one that does NOT have the system files) absolutely nothing will work. I am assuming that that is where the bootloader/sector or some other important files are living. I am getting rather pissy as this continues. I miss my poor broken mac and am looking forward to using Ubuntu.

Herk · 10-23-2007, 05:30 AM

I don't know the answer, and it seems rather complicated, but just for brainstorming purposes...

I think with something like "fixmbr \Device\HardDisk0" you can control which drive the new master boot record gets written to. Does that help? I doubt it.

BenChuy · 10-23-2007, 05:50 PM

yah. no dice. A related issue is that there are some installers that require writing to the system drive, which makes things even more stupid, as they keep running out of space!

I really don't want to reinstall, but I think it may be the case.

drego · 10-23-2007, 08:41 PM

Well, I'd say grab yourself a good partitioner (Partition Magic has always worked good for me from a Windows env. moving forward), and then when you have your partitions set up the way you want them, install Linux. Depending on which flavor you're installing, it'll for the most part set up a boot loader and a separate partition for your MBR.

If you're really crazy, and don't feel like using any partitioning software, most installs will ask if you want to set up partitions, although I've had hit and miss luck with Linux installs resizing my disks for me......

Is this kinda what you're looking for?

~Drego.

PS: ALWAYS install the Linux after Windows. Nothing'll futz a good bootloader like a fresh Windows install....

BenChuy · 10-24-2007, 10:18 AM

Thanks for the help (in as much as there was to be had). after reading on line, I realized that I should just wipe the 2 harddrives and start over, disconnecting all other drives than the one that was going to have windows on it. Now it works and is the system and boot. Next step is linux on the other. wish me luck.

BTW, I hate windows so very much. building an OS via committee is a bad idea.

10-22-2007, 09:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
BenChuy Insane Location: About 70 pixals above this...	"Boot" and "System" on different drives I am trying to figure out how to make ONE drive have the Boot and System distinction so I can erase the one currently labeled as system to use as a Linux drive. I have no clue why they can not be on the same one, but this is the 3rd time this has happened and I have tried several things to make it not be, but Windows wants to do things its own way. SO, anyone have any idea on how to make this work? I know NOW that if i simply force a format of the current C drive (the one that does NOT have the system files) absolutely nothing will work. I am assuming that that is where the bootloader/sector or some other important files are living. I am getting rather pissy as this continues. I miss my poor broken mac and am looking forward to using Ubuntu.

10-23-2007, 05:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
Herk Insane Location: Kansas City, MO	I don't know the answer, and it seems rather complicated, but just for brainstorming purposes... I think with something like "fixmbr \Device\HardDisk0" you can control which drive the new master boot record gets written to. Does that help? I doubt it. __________________ -Blind faith runs into things!-

10-23-2007, 08:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
drego Upright Location: WA......somewhere....I hope......	Well, I'd say grab yourself a good partitioner (Partition Magic has always worked good for me from a Windows env. moving forward), and then when you have your partitions set up the way you want them, install Linux. Depending on which flavor you're installing, it'll for the most part set up a boot loader and a separate partition for your MBR. If you're really crazy, and don't feel like using any partitioning software, most installs will ask if you want to set up partitions, although I've had hit and miss luck with Linux installs resizing my disks for me...... Is this kinda what you're looking for? ~Drego. PS: ALWAYS install the Linux after Windows. Nothing'll futz a good bootloader like a fresh Windows install.... __________________ There is no such thing as "Bug Free" software....there is only software with an acceptable (and documented) level of failure. Hack the Planet!!!!

10-23-2007, 05:50 PM	#3 (permalink)
BenChuy Insane Location: About 70 pixals above this...	yah. no dice. A related issue is that there are some installers that require writing to the system drive, which makes things even more stupid, as they keep running out of space! I really don't want to reinstall, but I think it may be the case.

10-24-2007, 10:18 AM	#5 (permalink)
BenChuy Insane Location: About 70 pixals above this...	Thanks for the help (in as much as there was to be had). after reading on line, I realized that I should just wipe the 2 harddrives and start over, disconnecting all other drives than the one that was going to have windows on it. Now it works and is the system and boot. Next step is linux on the other. wish me luck. BTW, I hate windows so very much. building an OS via committee is a bad idea.