Adding FC5 to an XP computer -

[Bob Goodwin]

Bob Goodwin wrote:
> Tim wrote:
>> Just quoting the salient points:
>>
>> Bob Goodwin wrote:
>>  
>>>>> XP Home is already installed and I have no way to reinstall it, no 
>>>>> o/s
>>>>> CD's are provided.
>>>>>         
>>
>>
>> Tim:
>>  
>>>> If you want to keep the XP installation as-is, and the Linux 
>>>> completely
>>>> separate, I'd consider:
>>>>      2. Modifying the XP bootloader menu so that *it* is used to boot
>>>>         itself, or Linux.
>>>>      3. Copying a file copy of the Linux bootblock onto the XP 
>>>> drive for
>>>>         that XP bootloader to work with.
>>>>       
>>
>>
>> Aaron Konstam:
>>  
>>> Thhis used to be the wqay to do it in the RedHat Linux days. But for a
>>> long time under Fedora grub does the job without any extra effort.
>>>     
>>
>> Ordinarily, I'd use GRUB to handle booting, too.  But the original
>> poster mentioned not having any Windows install discs.  It seems prudent
>> to avoid altering the Windows installation in that situation.
>> Especially if one isn't familiar with fixing things up, after a problem,
>> the hard way.
>>   
> Prudent or not, the installation is now running with Grub and boot on 
> the mbr.
>
> If I break something I'll have to fix it somehow?
>
> So far things have gone smoothly, there was physical space for the drive
> and I was able to set bios to recognize the new second drive.  Hopefully
> the rest will go as uneventfully ...
>
> Bob Goodwin
I have installed fc5 from the dvd twice now to be certain I've done 
things correctly.  I believe I have.

The fc5 install is on the second drive, /dev/sdb.  XP is factory [Dell] 
installed and I have no install disk.  XP is of little importance to me 
but I would like to retain it is possible.  Both drives are 80G.

It should boot Linux from the mbr, /dev/sda on which XP resides,  grub 
is installed with FC5 designated as the default, but I never see a grub 
display at turn on, it simply boots XP right off without offering any 
alternative.

What am I doing wrong?


BobG