Problem

I brought a New Laptop and it comes with Vista by Default. That’s not really a problem unless you want to install XP and / or Linux.
Since I had vista, it’s much easier to create a new partition using vistas Disk manager Utility (You can simple Right Click on any Vista partition / volume and Select option Shrink to Split / Join partitions). You need to read some guide about how to shrink volume and create partitions, this will help you getting the job done quickly without worrying too much why and what! Try reading this simple guide:  Working Around Windows Vista’s “Shrink Volume” Inadequacy Problems

Okay, Now I have created two new partitions for Linux and Windows XP to be installed. First I installed Linux Fedora Core 10 and Used GRUB boot loader as main boot loader. GRUB worked perfectly detecting Vista’s present (as Other) and I were able to boot Vista or Fedora core whenever booting.

When I Installed Windows XP Professional, Everything gone wrong? My Master Boot Record (MBR) is overwritten by Windows XP and its directly booting Windows XP and none other or shows any other choices. I went on searching for solution but in many Forums they keep on telling to Use Vistas Install CD to recover its boot loader and Add Windows XP into its boot loader.  Vista comes with my Laptop and I have no Installation CD of vista other than Recovery Disk created via Manufactures software. Plus I want to have the GRUB as main boot loader (because, every time Kernel updated, it will amend its Menu List to support backward compatibility and I want that option too…).

Solution

Fist as suggested in many Forums and articles, Fix or Re-install Vista’s boot-loader and Add XP into its menu list.

Step 1: Read Installing Windows XP over Windows Vista for more detailed information on how to set up Dual boot for Windows Vista and XP even without Vista installation CD.

Now you should be able to Boot into Vista and XP without any problem… Only Thing is that Linux MBR record has been deleted and overwritten by Vistas Boot loader (by following Step 1). You will need to Re-install / recover Linux GRUB MBR record. Many forums suggested that unless you have a Backup copy of Linux MBR, you may not be able to boot again and or you may have to re-install again. Well for me, I used my Fedora core 10 installations DVD to recover GRUB boot loader and override MBR record again.

Step 2: User your Linux Installation DVD (I used Fedora Core 10, because I had Fedora Core 10 Installed) to “Rescue Installed System”. Make sure you don’t Re-install again (unless of-cause you want to) and select “Rescue Installed System” when CD / DVD booted. It will than ask you series of question regarding your language, keyboard, network and each… goo through until you come up with a Shell Command (Usually it will end-up at Shell command for you to continue fixing or rescuing your system). When you get to the command prompt, follow these instructions to Get back your GRUB boot loader and overwrite the MBR again!

Step 2: Type grub and hit <ENTER>  : Once you hit enter, shell command will switch to grub command prompt.

Step 3: Type find /boot/grub/stage1 to find out your Linux partition.

Step 4: Then use the device name that was output in the next command, say (hd0,1). Then the command would be root (hd0,1).

Step 5: After this, say setup (hd0). Replace hd0 with your hard drive.

This will Re-install your GRUB boot loader into MBR. Now when the system boot up it will Boot GRUB boot loader and It will shows you the Options for Kernels of your Linux and Also ONLY ONE for Other or Windows Boot. Once you into Linux you can add remove edit other operating system Boot from GRUB menu (Read this Guide for Full and More information)…

I manage to get the boot loader working in this order

• Linux Fedora Core
• Windows OS
  • Windows Vista
  • Windows XP

If I select windows OS, it will than Show me Windows Vista and Windows XP using Vista boot loader (Which we did on Step 1).
Well, this is not a good guide but good enough to do something…. If you have any ideas let me know and I will update. If you find anything wrong… well let me know too I will try and find a solution for you…

I guarantee none, Information provided here from my own experience and how I solved the problem. What you may be different from mine / this and it may need other solutions. Please Do it at your own risk