Attempting to use Grub2 to allow dual-boot of two Windows OS's
by ScubaBart from LinuxQuestions.org on (#5E8GN)
For assorted reasons, I have had to obtain a new(ish) MB so I could create a Win 10 system. I also need to maintain my Win 7 system and want to run both on the same box.
Win 7 is running 32 bit and boots via MBR format.
Win 10 is running 64 bit and boots via UEFI format (I did this since the new MB supports it.)
The two OS's are on separate physical drives in case that wasn't obvious.
I have tried for weeks with assorted assistance to finally confirm that Windows will not support a dual-boot config when you have a setup with one UEFI and one MBR.
So, before giving up on the dual boot option, I thought I would try Grub2. I successfully installed Grub2 on a small Fat32 partition on the UEFI drive that has Win 10 installed. The install file I used was sourced from aioboot.com on a page that specifically describes how to install Grub2 from windows.
So, after some misc troublshooting (my video card decided to crash in the middle of all this and it scared the bejeesus out of me that I had wrecked my entire system), when I power up, it does indeed go straight to the grub command line.
Now, since I know less than nothing about grub (or linux) the only command I know how to use is the exit command which will then allow it to boot to Win 10. Currently, if I want to boot to Win 7, I have to use the device boot option on startup and select the physical device that has the Win 7 install.
My goal is to boot to grub and have it offer a simple graphical interface that gives me the option to boot to Win 10 or Win 7. I know this will involve some type of chainloader command but after that, I am lost.
My dir structure for the grub install is as follows:
F:\
EFI
grub
grub
fonts
locale
themes
starfield
x86_64-efi
I downloaded a basic grub.cfg file form the same place I downloaded the install file and there was a basic instruction on how to create a menu item but even that is outside my skill set as the syntax is completely foreign to me.
So, My questions are as follow:
1) Can I accomplish what I want to do ? That is, boot to a simple graphical interface that offers the options to boot to Win 7 or Win 10.
2) If it is possible, do I have everything installed that I need ? If not, what else do I need. I really don't want to have to install a Linux OS but I guess I can if I have to.
3) If it is possible with what I have, is someone willing to provide very explicit instructions on how to accomplish it ?
Thanks in advance for any assistance.
Win 7 is running 32 bit and boots via MBR format.
Win 10 is running 64 bit and boots via UEFI format (I did this since the new MB supports it.)
The two OS's are on separate physical drives in case that wasn't obvious.
I have tried for weeks with assorted assistance to finally confirm that Windows will not support a dual-boot config when you have a setup with one UEFI and one MBR.
So, before giving up on the dual boot option, I thought I would try Grub2. I successfully installed Grub2 on a small Fat32 partition on the UEFI drive that has Win 10 installed. The install file I used was sourced from aioboot.com on a page that specifically describes how to install Grub2 from windows.
So, after some misc troublshooting (my video card decided to crash in the middle of all this and it scared the bejeesus out of me that I had wrecked my entire system), when I power up, it does indeed go straight to the grub command line.
Now, since I know less than nothing about grub (or linux) the only command I know how to use is the exit command which will then allow it to boot to Win 10. Currently, if I want to boot to Win 7, I have to use the device boot option on startup and select the physical device that has the Win 7 install.
My goal is to boot to grub and have it offer a simple graphical interface that gives me the option to boot to Win 10 or Win 7. I know this will involve some type of chainloader command but after that, I am lost.
My dir structure for the grub install is as follows:
F:\
EFI
grub
grub
fonts
locale
themes
starfield
x86_64-efi
I downloaded a basic grub.cfg file form the same place I downloaded the install file and there was a basic instruction on how to create a menu item but even that is outside my skill set as the syntax is completely foreign to me.
So, My questions are as follow:
1) Can I accomplish what I want to do ? That is, boot to a simple graphical interface that offers the options to boot to Win 7 or Win 10.
2) If it is possible, do I have everything installed that I need ? If not, what else do I need. I really don't want to have to install a Linux OS but I guess I can if I have to.
3) If it is possible with what I have, is someone willing to provide very explicit instructions on how to accomplish it ?
Thanks in advance for any assistance.