philo
Sun Apr 06 06:59:30 PDT 2008
"Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com.oz> wrote in message
news:uPSKZz%23lIHA.1280@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>
> "philo" <philo@privacy.net> wrote in message
> news:uoAhWl%23lIHA.5660@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> >
> > "Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com.oz> wrote in message
> > news:uPHSpD%23lIHA.3636@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> >>
> >> "philo" <philo@privacy.net> wrote in message
> >> news:eEX1kr9lIHA.6032@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> >> >
> >> > "promicro" <promicro@cox.net> wrote in message
> >> > news:e$xYy1zlIHA.4504@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> >> >> Hi all,
> >> >>
> >> >> I have Win2000, Win XP and Linux on 3 partitions and need a boot
> > manager
> >> >> as neither of these see the others - can someone recommend a good
> >> >> one
> >> >> ??
> >> >>
> >> >> thanx. bob
> >> >
> >> > Though nothing is wrong with using a 3rd party boot manager,
> >> > you don't really need one.
> >> >
> >> > By default, Win2k and XP have their own boot manager.
> >>
> >> I beg to disagree. The Win2000/WinXP boot manager is about
> >> as basic as they come. It lacks the following essential features:
> >> - You cannot use it to boot into non-Windows OSs, hence
> >> your recommendation to use Grub too.
> >> - It cannot hide partitions from each other. Since it leaves all
> >> partitions visible, there is the risk of one OS damaging another,
> >> e.g. by installing or updating files on the wrong partition.
> >> - You must have different drive letters for each Windows OS,
> >> which creates some unwanted interdependencies. There are
> >> frequent posts in these newsgroup along the lines "I want to
> >> remove Win98 from drive C:, how to I make my dual Win2000
> >> OS which is currently running on drive C:, run off drive C:?"
> >> With your recommendation you can't. With a proper boot
> >> manager it's a trivial affair.
> >>
> >>
> >
> > I did *not* suggest using the Windows boot manager to boot into Linux.
> >
> > If you re-read my post you will see that I suggested using LILO or Grub
to
> > boot to either Linux *or* to the Windows boot manager.
> > (Inelegant perhaps but ...hey...it works.)
>
> I know you didn't. You suggested using two boot managers:
> a) The Windows boot manager for Win2000 & WinXP
> b) Grub or Lilo to boot into Linux.
> That's two managers. A good boot manager can handle the lot.
> I firmly beliefe in the KISS principle, hence the simpler the better.
>
> > Also , my reply in no way implied that I had offered the best possible
> > solution. I only said that the OP already has available the means for
> > multi-booting.
> >
> > You do not know how the OP is using the machine. It *might* be a good
> > thing
> > to hide each OS from each other. OTOH: maybe the OP wants to transfer
data
> > from one partition to the other. Who knows?
>
> Indeed I don't but since the OP is asking for a recommendation, the
> group should suggest a versatile solution. A good boot manager lets
> the OP selectively hide partitions from each other (note the word:
> selectively).
> The Windows boot manager has no such option.
>
> > Finally. I have no idea why you brought win98 into this. There is no
need
> > to
> > further complicate this.
>
> Replace Win98 with Vista if you like - the point stands that with
> the Windows boot manager it gets very messy to change things
> later on.
>
> > Though some boot managers of course have the ability to hide portions
and
> > have two different windows installations on a C:
> > drive, there is no way to do so after the fact.
>
> Exactly - this is why we should recommend a flexible boot manager
> now. If the OP adopts your solution of using the native Windows
> boot manager then he won't be able to change things later on. Tough!
>
> > As you know: with all
> > versions of NT...the "boot" drive letter is persistent and cannot be
> > changed
> > by a boot manager "after the fact". A reinstall of one Windows version
> > would
> > be needed
>
> I fully agree, so let's use a good boot manager that lets him
> install each OS on drive C:.
>
> > Note: Just because I do not necessarily agree, don't think for a minute
I
> > don't respect your good judgment. I have been reading your
> > replies on Usenet for many years and have noticed your replies to be
> > generally rock-solid.
>
> Thanks for the feedback. I have worked a lot with boot managers
> and I think that I am fully aware of the issues surrounding the one
> built into Windows. I respect your opinion too but I felt for the OP's
> benefit that I had to comment on your recommendation. This is a
> benefit of newsgroups: Responses are often peer-reviewed (mine too!).
>
>
Yep. I've worked with boot managers for many years. That's why I now use
removable drive kits <G>!!!!