Dual Boot - Windows 7 and Linux

Tried the easybcd method.

Not working for me.

Unable to boot linux mint that way.

I may get around to doing it manually.

Please let us know what works for you Si. Do you think this is a new issue with EasyBCD for Linux?

The second partition is active on my setup - that may be the issue with easybcd method. Tried setting it like that - still no go.

Can't remember exactly what I did manually before - think I copied grldr onto linux partition using paragon.

Active partition is partition 2 on my system.

I remember last time I installed linux bootloader to the Linux partition ( partition 7 on my system ). If you let it install alongside, it will use the first partition.

Just did that - now easybcd works fine picking it up.

I had a separate issue - caused by diskmgmt.

Fixed with the excellent Aomei partition assistant - :

Aomei Partition Assistant.

On Nov3, 2014 I can confirm this is still the best tutorial on the subject of creating dual boot Ubuntu and Windows7 - there is a lot of unnecessary complex stuff on the internet. Tip: consider renaming the title / add the tag for this thread to "Ubuntu" since "LinuxMint13" (now 17) is limiting the audience.
For me being pretty knowledgeable on installing both Ubuntu and Windows systems, it was more a matter of 'how do I get the choice which OS to boot"?

And, practically the only steps were:

1. Partition the complete drive with gparted from an ubuntu livecd, doesnt matter which distro / version
2. Install ubuntu (actually I did Zorin, pretty nice) - you know how. Using partition 1-3 (root/swap/home). Writes boot loader to the MBR
3. Install Windows7 on partition 4 - you know how. Overwrites the MBR, no more Zorin option to boot.
4. In Windows, download EeasyBCD and run it.
5. As in this tutorial, add a menu boot option and select Grub2.
6. Exit and reboot. Done, fine.

Rethinking my partitioning scheme (10/5/30G for root/swap/home and 340 for Windows and all other data), I might have better chosen 60 Windows and 280 for Data, which can be mounted as /media/data of course in Ubuntu.
Well, actually, I can still do that. Windows partition resizing on NTFS is actually safe and quick.

Great tutorial Golden - what I've been looking for.

I have a 64 bit Lenovo desktop with OEM preinstalled win7sp1.

Why choose the 32 bit lenox iso ?

Thanks,
Lester

Isnt 32bit something from the past? I think it was cold feet for some years but those are gone.

The tutorial looks great to me. Sure is simpler than years ago on XP and Mint13.
Two questions:
1. What is the reason for having to delete System_drv (other than saving a bit of space)?
Isn't that partition required by Windows 7 by Microsoft? Or by OEM?
2. I already have bootmgr on the C: drive and the byte count is identical to what's in the system_drv (as displayed in gparted via live Mint). So do I still have to do the easyBCD job? Actually I'm confused, because gparted says system_drv is a boot drive, yet windows diskmgt says C is a boot drive.

In the attached image - I deleted Q partition, made Acronis(v11) image of it long ago.