This howto was published in earlier thread with other name but difficult to find.
This method DO NOT risc any data on your harddrive.
Goal: A dual boot laptop running windows XP and Linux Slax in separate partitions.
Procedure:
1. Download and burn live cd slax-iso alternativley download usb-slax (*.tar).
2. Download latest grub4dos at https://gna.org/projects/grub4dos, extract to a temp directory.
3. Create a partition on your harddrive using your favorite tool, ie partition magic, linux terminal commands, ubuntu livecd(gparted) puppy linux live-cd etc.
Format new partition to FAT32, partition size at minimum 300MB.
4. Copy the directories "boot" and "slax" from your slax cd-iso or slax usb-extract into your new partition.
5. Copy the file C:\ntldr in your windows xp root directory, the copy is your backup. Copy and paste at same place will do, giving you both "C:\ntldr"(origin) and "C:\copy of ntldr"(backup) at your "C:\".
6. Copy the files "grldr", "grub.exe" and "menu.lst" from the grub4dos extraction in your temp folder into C:\
7. Now follows the sensitive part, do not turn off your puter at these moments:
Rename the file C:\ntldr to C:\ntldrxp
Rename the file C:\grldr to C:\ntldr
8. Open menu.lst in a texteditor, preferrably wordpad, delete origin and copy / paste following:
# This is a sample menu.lst file. You should make some changes to it.
# The old install method of booting via the stage-files has been removed.
# utility under DOS/Win9x or Linux.
#color black/cyan yellow/cyan
color cyan/blue white/blue
#timeout 30
#default /default
title WinXp
find --set-root /ntldrxp
chainloader /ntldrxp
9. Edit menu.lst to fit your needs. I have on my computer a 800MB winxp install on first partition (windows C:\), this is called hd0,0 in menu.lst. Second partition (windows D:\) on my computer is my private documents and valuable files such as music etc, this is hd0,1 in menu.lst.
Third partition (windows E:\) is my toy partition where I play around with different os's, named hd0,2 in menu.lst.
So, depending on number of partitions you just have to count the hd0,x likewise, presuming we are staying at your first harddrive, a second hardrive would be hd1,x.
Note that windows "C:\" is named "hda1" in linux, "D:\" is named "hda2" etc, so you will have to change the hda3 in changes line in menu.lst.
10. All done. Reboot and choose your os in the grub menu. Delete the extracted grub4dos, we dont need it anymore.
Alternative:
If you not are using several partitions but just keeps to one and same "C:\"-partition, copy the directories "boot" and "slax" to your windows C:\, edit the menu.lst to "hd0,0" but keep same file path and name.
Observe:
If you go back to windows and remove grub, you have to rename "ntldrxp" back to "ntldr", otherwise windows will never find the file and boot correct.
Experts and pros's are free to fill in any simplifications or improvements in above howto.
/pm
Hey friend, this guide is extra great!!!
Thanks a loot!
I tried it on HP 510 notebook and had some weird problems i want to share.
After finishing the guide and rebooting, there was a "GRUB ERROR 17".
Read something on the net and quit. I planned to start all over.
I put the Windows XP cd to rewrite mbr with fixmbr and get only the Windows installation.
After rewriting, i expected to boot directly to Windows, but there was the blue boot menu with Slax and Windows. Didn't expect this, but it all worked fine.
Thanks again!
Everyone, if you need help with this, feel free to mail me. I'll try to help. trajkovvlatko at gmail com.
Sorry for late responding, been away from the forum for a while.
Grub Error 17:
Enter BIOS on your computer and set BIOS to auto detect the harddrive containing your linux os.
Admin rights:
There is excellent linux tools on boot cd's for editing windows user accounts giving anyone needed admin rights, while youre in there, sweep all the passwords to.
hi tnx4such a good document but i cant add my usb slax to grub dir. everythig seems ok but i get an error "Error 22: No such partition" first of all in ur explanation u use as an "hda" but im my laptop partitions such a "sda" another differences my "e" partition as an "sda6" and not in this series as an sda3 . i uploaded some images related with my partition table and numbers.
i tried to change some parts of ur menu.lst but again cant be started Slax. some other choice in my grub list r working but slax doesnt. the files in e:\ dir it is in fat32 system . what is my mistake ? what should i do ?
Explanation of GRUB indexes:
------------------------------------
(hd%, &)
%
The hard drive device (primary drives are recognized first)
The primary hard drive will be 0;
The secondary hard drive will be 1;
Therefore the drives will be accessed by their index, which begins at 0.
---------------
&
The partition on the defined device.
The first partition will be 0;
The secondary partition will be 1;
Therefore the partitions will be accessed by their index, which begins at 0.
------------------------------------ IE.
/dev/hdd7 (with only hd* hard drives)
(hd3, 6)
/dev/sdd7 (with only sd* hard drives)
(hd3, 6)
/dev/sda1 (with only sd* hard drives)
(hd0, 0)
------------------------------------------------------
On a side note:
Ka,
Can you please use the propper spellings of words (ie. no 'u', only you, etc...).
Can you please also use proper capitalization.
Forums are places where one should have time to compose a response, which should be mostly correct.
Justamente lo que estaba buscando, ya jala mi disco duro con el Slax.
Solo tuve que cambiar de:
kernel (hd0,2)/boot/vmlinuz ramdisk_size=6666 root=/dev/ram0 rw autoexec=xconf;telinit~4 changes=/mnt/hda3/slax/
initrd=(hd0,2)/boot/initrd.gz
Please Help I cant install SLAX to HDD
i did all steps 1-8
my menu.lst File:
----------
title SLAX
kernel (hd0,0)/boot/vmlinuz ramdisk_size=6666 root=/dev/ram0 rw autoexec=xconf;telinit~4 changes=/mnt/hda/slax/
initrd=(hd0,0)/boot/initrd.gz
boot
title WinXp
find --set-root /ntldrxp
chainloader /ntldrxp
----------
Win XP works Good
But in boot SLAX i got (>>( ERROR 15 File not found )
********************
GRUB Partition List
Name Ldrv FS Base Size
(hd0,1) D FAT32(0C) 0000003F36487 (38201M) IDE
(hd1,0) - ExtendedX(0F) SATA
(hd1,4) E NTFS(07)
(hd2,0) - ExtendedX(0F) SATA
(hd2,4) F NTFS(07)
(hd3,0) C NTFS(07) SATA
(hd3,1) - ExtendedX(0F)
(hd3,4) G NTFS(07)
2 years ago I built a personalized Slax that is installable under Windows XP. SInce I see that frugal-installing Slax for coexisting with XP is a often requered topic, here you are:
Pros: It's a safe and easy way to install Slax from XP, with neither partitionig, nor changing your MBR. It will install for you all required files, edit boot.ini and take care about hidden partitions, etc. More, you can edit menu.lst for adding new entries, so that you can boot as many OSs as you want from XP.
Cons: Language is Galego (Half the way between portuguese and spanish). You will be blind-running the assistant. As for now, you can NOT use the installer under Vista (well, you can but it will not boot Slax if you don't edit BCD and that's beyond my purpose)
Instructions:
-Get a copy of galinux_slax_1_4_inst_xp_19_7_2007.exe (aMule, Ares...)
-Download the Slax of your choice and get it decompressed somewhere.
-Start Win XP as admin and run galinux_slax_1_4_inst_xp_19_7_2007.exe. When required, just click on "seguinte" (next)
-In the end you will be prompted to reboot. Just accept. After rebooting, chose "Xestor de inicio", accept again, new reboot and let XP start.
-A second assistant will auto-run as soon as XP is up. WHen prompted, just mark all the storage units displayed (not really required, only to be on the safe side; wou'll be wasting 300KB in each).
-Now you've got a copy of grldr and menu.lst in C:/ and your boot.ini ready to go. If needed, there will be more added copies in other partitions (that's for avoidind trouble when your XP is not installed in the real first partition). Editing c:/menu.lst you'll get a way for booting any OS you want.
-Explore c:/galinux. You'll find a /base folder: delete everything there and put all your Slax modules there. You can also delete /opcionais (modules) and /docs. Copy/move all other required Slax files into c:/galinux. If you are using the FROMISO option, just keep a copy of your ISO somewhere and edit c:/menu.lst properly.
-Edit C:/menu.lst (learn how to do it from reading syslinus/isolinux files from your downloaded Slax).
-If the provided version of grldr does not work for you (AFAIK never happened), go to "Start">"Programs">"Galinux-Slax">"Xestor de inicio novo". Your c:\grldr file will be replaced for a newer one.
-If you want to get rid of your frugal installation, go to "Start"->"Programs">"Galinus-Slax">"Desinstalar Galinux-Slax".
burninbush wrote:
Try changing your (hd0,0) to (hd1,0) -- guessing your bios is finding sda1 before finding hda1.
And changes cannot be directed to /dev/hda -- you probably meant /dev/hda1/slax.
Sanks a lot burninbush its really helped i changed
-------------
title SLAX
kernel (hd1,0)/boot/vmlinuz ramdisk_size=6666 root=/dev/ram0 rw autoexec=xconf;telinit~4 nopcmcia changes=/mnt/hda1/slax/
initrd=(hd1,0)/boot/initrd.gz
boot
-------------
and now SLAX work perfect
The point is to deal with the language and, once installed, to copy/move the files from the iso and edit the menu.lst. The rest of the task will be already done, even in the case of having hidden partitions, XP not installed in the first one, etc.
4. Extract grldr & menu.lst from grub4dos-0.4.3.zip(use winrar) to your local drive (c:\)
5. Change or modify or edit the file menu.lst.
Replace it with this:
######################################################
color black/cyan yellow/cyan
timeout=20
default=1
title Back to Menu
rootnoverify (hd0,0)
chainloader +1
boot
title Slax ALWAYS FRESH - No changes are written anywhere.
rootnoverify (hd0,1)
kernel (hd0,0)/boot/vmlinuz ramdisk_size=6666 root=/dev/ram0 rw autoexec=xconf;telinit~4
initrd (hd0,0)/boot/initrd.gz
boot
title Slax GRAPHICS MODE (KDE) - Use the maximum allowed resolution.
rootnoverify (hd0,1)
kernel (hd0,0)/boot/vmlinuz ramdisk_size=6666 root=/dev/ram0 rw autoexec=xconf;telinit~4 changes=/slax/
initrd (hd0,0)/boot/initrd.gz
boot
title Slax COPY TO RAM - Copy data to RAM to enhance speed(needs >300MB).
rootnoverify (hd0,1)
kernel (hd0,0)/boot/vmlinuz ramdisk_size=6666 root=/dev/ram0 rw copy2ram autoexec=xconf;telinit~4
initrd (hd0,0)/boot/initrd.gz
boot
title Slax GRAPHICS VESA MODE - Force 1024x768 display resolution.
rootnoverify (hd0,1)
kernel (hd0,0)/boot/vmlinuz ramdisk_size=6666 root=/dev/ram0 rw autoexec=telinit~4 changes=/slax/
initrd (hd0,0)/boot/initrd.gz
boot
title Slax TEXT MODE - Using command prompt only.
rootnoverify (hd0,1)
kernel (hd0,0)/boot/vmlinuz ramdisk_size=6666 root=/dev/ram0 rw changes=/slax/
initrd (hd0,0)/boot/initrd.gz
boot
title Slax as PXE SERVER - Boot Slax on other computers over network.
rootnoverify (hd0,1)
kernel (hd0,0)/boot/vmlinuz ramdisk_size=6666 root=/dev/ram0 rw autoexec=/boot/pxelinux.cfg/start;/boot/pxelinux.cfg/web/start;xconf;telinit~4
initrd (hd0,0)/boot/initrd.gz
boot
title Run MEMTEST - Diagnose your computer's RAM for possible errors.
rootnoverify (hd0,1)
kernel (hd0,0)/boot/mt86p
boot
######################################################
6. Now, edit your windows xp's boot.ini then save it.
Sometimes things are not that easy. I've been doing what you posted from 3 years ago and from my experience, when XP is not installed on the true first partition, most of the times you will not get your Linux started. That's why it is required first to unhide all of your partitions and only afterwards decide in which of them you'll put grldr and menu.lst.
That was the first release and I didn't improved it since then but it always worked for me. What you get is a new entry in the BCD file of Vista for booting Linux, very likely editing XP's boot.ini.
4. Extract grldr & menu.lst from grub4dos-0.4.3.zip(use winrar) to your local drive (c:)
5. Change or modify or edit the file menu.lst.
Replace it with this:
######################################################
color black/cyan yellow/cyan
timeout=20
default=1
title Back to Menu
rootnoverify (hd0,0)
chainloader +1
boot
title Slax ALWAYS FRESH - No changes are written anywhere.
rootnoverify (hd0,1)
kernel (hd0,0)/boot/vmlinuz ramdisk_size=6666 root=/dev/ram0 rw autoexec=xconf;telinit~4
initrd (hd0,0)/boot/initrd.gz
boot
title Slax GRAPHICS MODE (KDE) - Use the maximum allowed resolution.
rootnoverify (hd0,1)
kernel (hd0,0)/boot/vmlinuz ramdisk_size=6666 root=/dev/ram0 rw autoexec=xconf;telinit~4 changes=/slax/
initrd (hd0,0)/boot/initrd.gz
boot
title Slax COPY TO RAM - Copy data to RAM to enhance speed(needs >300MB).
rootnoverify (hd0,1)
kernel (hd0,0)/boot/vmlinuz ramdisk_size=6666 root=/dev/ram0 rw copy2ram autoexec=xconf;telinit~4
initrd (hd0,0)/boot/initrd.gz
boot
title Slax GRAPHICS VESA MODE - Force 1024x768 display resolution.
rootnoverify (hd0,1)
kernel (hd0,0)/boot/vmlinuz ramdisk_size=6666 root=/dev/ram0 rw autoexec=telinit~4 changes=/slax/
initrd (hd0,0)/boot/initrd.gz
boot
title Slax TEXT MODE - Using command prompt only.
rootnoverify (hd0,1)
kernel (hd0,0)/boot/vmlinuz ramdisk_size=6666 root=/dev/ram0 rw changes=/slax/
initrd (hd0,0)/boot/initrd.gz
boot
title Slax as PXE SERVER - Boot Slax on other computers over network.
rootnoverify (hd0,1)
kernel (hd0,0)/boot/vmlinuz ramdisk_size=6666 root=/dev/ram0 rw autoexec=/boot/pxelinux.cfg/start;/boot/pxelinux.cfg/web/start;xconf;telinit~4
initrd (hd0,0)/boot/initrd.gz
boot
title Run MEMTEST - Diagnose your computer's RAM for possible errors.
rootnoverify (hd0,1)
kernel (hd0,0)/boot/mt86p
boot
######################################################
6. Now, edit your windows xp's boot.ini then save it.
Hi! I just want to say thank you to Tomas for making Slax and also to Migan for making the how-to dual boot windows XP and Slax.
I used Migan's how-to and modified it to TRIPLE BOOT between SLAX, WINDOWS7 ( tested on RC1 & RTM) and WINDOWS XP.
Everything is working fine and I'm using it for 2 weeks on my MSI Wind U100 series Netbook. No issues on my hardware (Webcam, Bluetooth, Wifi), everything is working for now (with some tweaks of course)...
How-to: Triple boot Slax, Windows XP, Windows 7
-------------------------------------------------
1) I made 2 partitions on my harddrive, partition 1 (Windows XP)NTFS, partition 2 (Windows 7)NTFS.
2) After partitioning harddrive, I installed first Windows XP on partition 1.
3) Next was Installing Windows 7 on partition 2 making Windows 7 handles the main bootloader.
4) Next was copying 2 folders (slax & boot) from Slax CD to the root of partition 2.
(Note: You need to change or rename the slax folder boot to any name you want, say sboot so that it may not overwrite Windows 7 hidden system folder boot.
5) Next you need to have a copy of "menu.lst" and "grldr" to your root partition 1 & 2
6) Download grub4dos-0.4.3.zip from here-> http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=104188
7) Extract grldr & menu.lst from grub4dos-0.4.3.zip to your root partition 1 & 2
8) Modify or edit the "menu.lst"
Here is a copy of Migan's "menu.lst" file entry (modified for triple booting Slax, Windows XP, Windows 7):
(Note: reference to boot folder in menu.lst must be change to sboot) Take note that linux is case sensitive, SBOOT is different from sboot.
######################################################
color black/cyan yellow/cyan
timeout=20
default=1
title Back to Menu
rootnoverify (hd0,1)
chainloader +1
boot
title Slax ALWAYS FRESH - No changes are written anywhere.
rootnoverify (hd0,1)
kernel (hd0,1)/sboot/vmlinuz ramdisk_size=6666 root=/dev/ram0 rw autoexec=xconf;telinit~4
initrd (hd0,1)/sboot/initrd.gz
boot
title Slax GRAPHICS (KDE)- Use the maximum allowed resolution.
rootnoverify (hd0,1)
kernel (hd0,1)/sboot/vmlinuz ramdisk_size=6666 root=/dev/ram0 rw autoexec=xconf;telinit~4 changes=/slax/
initrd (hd0,1)/sboot/initrd.gz
boot
title Slax COPY TO RAM - Copy data to RAM to enhance speed(needs >300MB).
rootnoverify (hd0,1)
kernel (hd0,1)/sboot/vmlinuz ramdisk_size=6666 root=/dev/ram0 rw copy2ram autoexec=xconf;telinit~4
initrd (hd0,1)/sboot/initrd.gz
boot
title Slax TEXT MODE - Using command prompt only.
rootnoverify (hd0,1)
kernel (hd0,1)/sboot/vmlinuz ramdisk_size=6666 root=/dev/ram0 rw changes=/slax/
initrd (hd0,1)/sboot/initrd.gz
boot
title Slax as PXE SERVER - Boot Slax on other computers over network.
rootnoverify (hd0,1)
kernel (hd0,1)/sboot/vmlinuz ramdisk_size=6666 root=/dev/ram0 rw autoexec=/sboot/pxelinux.cfg/start;/boot/pxelinux.cfg/web/start;xconf;telinit~4
initrd (hd0,1)/sboot/initrd.gz
boot
title Run MEMTEST - Diagnose your computer's RAM for possible errors.
rootnoverify (hd0,1)
kernel (hd0,1)/sboot/mt86p
boot
######################################################
9) Edit your windows xp's boot.ini and change the entry to:
I've just finished a script that will install slax frugally onto the HD. It will check for windows and if it exists it gives the option to dual boot. During the script you are asked which system you would prefer to boot by default.
The only prerequisite is that there is an ext3 formatted partition already existing on the drive. I think some people new to slax would find it useful. Once i'm done testing i'll post it.
mikaelft has installed a linux system with the "ultimate boot cd on his usb key. The menu.lst or the use of slax.cfg seem to interfere with our usual way of using slax. The solution seems to be to reinstall both utimate boot cd iso and slax iso with the grub2 strategy of Homoludens. See:
