Boot Loader(GRUB)

[marinestu]

Hello All

I am new to Linux but I have been doing a lot of reading and I’m really enjoying learning this operating system especially the command line aspect. My problem is I have installed a version of Redhat 9 that came with the SAMs Teach Yourself Linux in 24 hours and now I wish to upgrade to Fedora. Is it safe to just upgrade over the top of the old version as I have read that there can be conflicts with the GUI gnome when an upgrade is done in such a manner.

If that is not advisable how can I format my Linux partition without losing (sorry duel booting to windows xp and Linux) my windows partition as I would imagine that the GUB (standard boot loader for Redhat…I think) will look for the removed operation system and maybe throw a wobbler when it only finds windows (as would I, only seeing windows on my computer).

My last question is, if I wish to do a clean install (again without loosing my windows partition) can I remove the boot loader and still be able to access my windows partition after I have removed all traces of Linux. The only reason I would want to do this is I am using Partition Magic which is in windows to manage my drive partitions. This is the method that I would rather use as it would help me understand the booting and setting up process that much better.

Thank you for taking time to read my posting.

Regards to you all

Stu

Ps Sorry for the length of this posting :o

[Choozo]

Just select to use existing Linux partitions when installing, and format those during install.
If you (hopefully) have a separate /home partition - just leave that one unformatted/untouched, and mount it as /home when installing. (you don't loose your personal data that way).

Cheers, and welcome :)

EDIT: Oh, and FIXMBR from your WinXP CD (under repair options) will cleanly restore your MBR, leaving the machine to boot directly into Windows.

[Digit0]

Originally posted by marinestu

My last question is, if I wish to do a clean install (again without loosing my windows partition) can I remove the boot loader and still be able to access my windows partition after I have removed all traces of Linux.

Regarding the first question yes you can just install Fedora on top but when setting the partitions tell the installer "NOT" to format the / partition.

Will it give you trouble? Might, might not (Gnome/grub really should not be a problem). Give it a go. Back back up first.

Last question: Yes you can remove all traces of grub and Linux, you will need your windows disk though...
The question is... would you really want to ;)?

[marinestu]

To both Choozo and Digit0

Thanks for your speedy reply to my some what length post. Regarding my /home partition I am sorry to say that no, I do not have it mounted on a separate partition, but please rest assured that my next install I will mount my /home files just so. That my well be my next question….how to.
And yes there is no way that I would want to be left with only window on my system now. Consider me born again user BASH.

Thanks once again hope

Best wishes

Stu

Man with all his noble qualities still bares
Within his bodily frame the indelible stamp
Of his lowly origin

Charles Darwin

[psi42]

Originally posted by marinestu
duel booting
Yes, it does feel like a battle sometimes, doesn't it? :D

I would imagine that the GUB (standard boot loader for Redhat…I think) will look for the removed operation system and maybe throw a wobbler when it only finds windows (as would I, only seeing windows on my computer).

Removing an OS will not cause grub to barf, but removing a partition might. The reason is because grub relies on certain files in /boot/grub to load itself. If it can't find them, well, it won't be happy


My last question is, if I wish to do a clean install (again without loosing my windows partition) can I remove the boot loader and still be able to access my windows partition after I have removed all traces of Linux. The only reason I would want to do this is I am using Partition Magic which is in windows to manage my drive partitions. This is the method that I would rather use as it would help me understand the booting and setting up process that much better.


If you restore the MBR as specified above, then yes.

I would suggest that you use the PM "rescue disks" (it's been a long time since I used PM) to do all the work. That is far more os independent, and safer. :)

Or just use parted.

:)

~psi42

[RuiP]

hi
you can save all your /home in a tar.gz under your Win Partition
and make a new install of Fedora with ALL other SOs you have. The installer (Manual Partition) can shrink the existent partitions to have space for new ones.
Always make one for home, so you can play around with the distro you desire to try... Same for /boot with a small partion (100M will do, for instance hda2). When Install anything just mount your /boot and DONT format it. Instal your Grub at first sector of that partion is saffer! You can edit /boot/grub/grub.conf to do what you want!! After install Fedora (or/and others) just untar your old /home for your new (sweet) home and you are done it!!

Fedora is very nice, deserve the trial.

OF COURSE backup your data first. If you lose your actual linux is just a matter of installit again easy and quick this days isn' it?

have fun

OOPS I forgot something:
Never replace grub.conf by a copy or a new file!! Just EDIT it and leave the line:
password --md5 XXXXXXXXX... alone! (or your Grub can fail to start and leave you with a black screen)