I have read conflicting views on dual boot win2k and Linux. If Lilo
overwrites mbr (created by win2k), how do we restore it?
one version says that you will have to re-install win 2k!!!
Another version says fdisk /mbr will do.Which is true?
even if fdisk /mbr works, will it bring back to the original state? ie.
being able to choose the OS with F8 or similar keys and being able to start
in Safe mode and other options? Or is there any way of saving the win2k mbr
and reload it at a later time?
Just trying to be safe before I mess around with lilo!! Thanks.
NS

sridhar nagabhurshana wrote:

> Another version says fdisk /mbr will do.Which is true?

.... that one .... ^^^^^^^^^^^^
..
--
/// Michael J. Tobler: motorcyclist, surfer, skydiver, \\\
\\\ and author: "Inside Linux", "C++ HowTo", "C++ Unleashed" ///
Immigration is the sincerest form of flattery. - Jack Paar

> I have read conflicting views on dual boot win2k and Linux. If Lilo
> overwrites mbr (created by win2k), how do we restore it?

lilo -u

> one version
> says that you will have to re-install win 2k!!!

That is always an option. Usually it is overkill.

> Another version says fdisk /mbr will do.

It installs the default DOS bootloader in the MBR.

> Which is true?

both

> even if fdisk /mbr works, will it
> bring back to the original state? ie. being able to choose the OS with
> F8 or similar keys and being able to start in Safe mode and other
> options?

That is not in the MBR. That is the NT loader which is located in the
bootrecord of the NT partition

> Or is there any way of saving the win2k mbr and reload it at a
> later time?

lilo -u
Lilo automatically stores the old MBR (unless a previous backup exists)
Check /boot for files named eg. boot.0300. That is the old MBR of hda
all boot.NUM files are probably bootrecord backups.

> Just trying to be safe before I mess around with lilo!! Thanks. NS

Write lilo on a bootfloppy before you actually install it on the MBR.
just change the line boot=SOME_DISK_LOCATION to boot=/dev/fd0.
If the floppy boots both OS-es, you can write it to the MBR.

Eric

Eric Moors wrote:

>>I have read conflicting views on dual boot win2k and Linux. If Lilo
>>overwrites mbr (created by win2k), how do we restore it?
>
>
> lilo -u

Thats one way

>>one version
>>says that you will have to re-install win 2k!!!
>
>
> That is always an option. Usually it is overkill.

dont give false impressions.

there isnt any need to reinstall win2k, just to replace the standard MBR.
a dos boot disk, with fdisk.exe
fdisk.exe /mbr

>>Another version says fdisk /mbr will do.
> It installs the default DOS bootloader in the MBR.
> both

not really.
telling people that installing linux will mean that you have problems
with windows is actually a lie that hurts linux.

Its not true, it hurts linux.

>>>one version
>>>says that you will have to re-install win 2k!!!
>>
>>
>> That is always an option. Usually it is overkill.
>
> dont give false impressions.

I have given no false impression whatso-ever.
reinstalling windows will fix the problem with windows, as the
windows installation routines will rewrite the MBR.

>>>Another version says fdisk /mbr will do.
>> It installs the default DOS bootloader in the MBR. both
>
> not really.

? It most certainly installs the DOS bootloader in the MBR.
So what do you mean with "not really"

> telling people that installing linux will mean that you have problems
> with windows is actually a lie that hurts linux.

And who did that?

> Its not true, it hurts linux.

Linux is an OS. It has no notion of pain.

Eric