Windows 7: Dual Boot - Windows 7 and Linux

Hi Golden There doesn't seem to be anything in the BIOS about disabling secure boot. In fact there is nothing about secure boot at all. I have looked on Linux forums and there seems to be several different ways around the problem. They are all complex, involving Command Line changes in both Winboot and GRUB, or use GRUB2 or GRUB legacy. Pretty much Dutch to me, as I don't really have the knowledge base re GRUB and it's various incarnations. They all seem a bit contradictory. I don't think the Linux community has got it's head round this yet. It seems a very unfortunate development for Linux, as I imagine a lot of people dual boot with Windows. This effectively prevents casual users experimenting with Linux distros, whilst keeping Windows as their main OS.

Thanks, John

Unless you have a new Windows 8 PC it should not have Secure Boot.

If your UEFI BIOS has a Compatibility Support Module (CSM) you can set to Dual, then you can install the other OS in BIOS mode to an MBR formatted disk.

Once you make that setting unplug the Windows 7 HD, follow these same steps to Bypass UEFI to Install WIn7.



When you plug back in Windows 7 HD, set it first to boot in BIOS using whatever it is called to boot first now. Then when needed trigger the Linux HD using BIOS Boot Menu key at boot.

UEFI is still new to us and only coming online full stream now. So let us know what works for you to help others.

John,

Another option to experiment with Linux on a more casual basis is via a virtual machine using VMWare Player, running within Windows 7.

Regards,
Golden

Thanks for your replies gregrocker and Golden.

As you say Greg, I don't have W8, the mobo just says EFI, so I presume this is not a secure boot situation. I have Windows 7 installed on the SSD, along with programmes such as Photoshop, Lightroom etc. I'm using this as my Windows boot drive.
I'd be reluctant to do a fresh install of Windows 7, as I've just got this one running satisfactorily
As I say, Linux Mint is installed on a 500GB drive. I'd like to keep the two OSs separate, and this has always been the simplest option in the past.
I've run Linux within Windows using the WUBI method in the past, but it is clunky compared to a proper install. I'm told that WUBI will not work with EFI boot loaders anyway.
I could, as you suggest Golden, try running it in VMWare, but I suspect the result would be similarly unsatisfactory. Also, one of the points for me, is that with Linux on another drive, if I have problems with Windows, I can get online with Linux and come here for help.
I've done this in the past, and it's saved my bacon
Damn EFI, this was such a simple procedure previously. Having looked at various Linux forums, I can see this issue is one that many are struggling with. I've seen about 5 different solutions, all of which are complex and involve messing around in the command line on both OSs.
I'm reluctant to do that, in case I screw my Windows install.
Maybe I'll just wait. I get the feeling that the Linux distros will be looking at including a solution in their next releases, as it in their interest to do so. Mint is based on Ubuntu, so a six monthly release cycle.

Thanks very much for your input guys, John

Do you have Compatibility Support Module (CSM) in BIOS setup so that you can set it to have both mode: UEFI and BIOS? This way you can install any OS to an MBR disk normally.

Ah I was wondering this just a while ago as I wanted to make the dual boot but really didn't necessarily to use the same drive.

So I have an older (4 yo) XP machine that I have with a drive with XP up to date on it and a drive with 7 and have just been switching the SATA cables to boot into which I want. Now seeing this tutorial it seems I can do this without having to do that and maybe slip yet another drive in with Mint on it.

While I am thinking of it is the new Mint 14 better than the 13? and also I had ideas of having yet another drive with Ubuntu on it so I have the four OS's all in one machine. The only reason for the Mint and Ubuntu is that is I read somewhere that the Ubuntu had better resolution on the monitor - seems a bit far fetched but am wondering.

John,

Yes, if you have multiple HDD's with different OS's, just use the one -time boot key. Mint14 and Ubuntu will give you the same resolution.

Ok mate I'll go the Mint at the moment I am just trying to set up the 7 again.

Hi Golden and gregrocker

I looked in the BIOS Greg, and also the mobo manual, and I cannot find anything to do with a Compatibility Support Module.
There seems to be movement from the Linux side on this. See here:

Linux Foundation's Secure Boot bootloader now available - The H Open: News and Features

and here:

Linux Foundation Secure Boot System Released | James Bottomley's random Pages

This all sounds a bit messy and not quite ready for mainstream yet. In other words, it sounds too complicated for me
As I said, I imagine the various distros will incorporate this into the install iso. as soon as possible. Linux Mint attempts to be idiot proof (not from this idiot though so I would have thought they're working on it as we speak. They really need to do this because, apart from real Linux geeks, I imagine a lot of people are dabblers like me.

Thanks for your input, John

ps. sorry guys, can't rep you at the moment.

Hiyya Golden I ma going to try this on a tester machine and I am just wondering re using the Partition Wizard I have this installed already on the machine can I use that instead of making a bootable drive / disk of it?

Sorry to be a bit dumb but it just looked a bit like double handling. But so far so good and the tutorial is really set out

John