More Than 3 Out of 4 Enthusiasts Reject Windows 8

[Gary]

You could FB, Tweet and such very fast though.

 

[Indianatone]

I now quad boot with 3 versions of Windows 7 (don't ask I am a Geek) and Linux Mint Mate 14. I used Easy BCD and added the Linux auto find : Entry #4
Name: Linux Mint x64
BCD ID: {978289f0-cddf-11e1-8c60-e1dec16559df}
Drive: N:\
Bootloader Path: \NST\AutoNeoGrub0.mbr
Works a treat, no need to screw up my Windows 7 bootloaders with the other three OS's. I have my monitor calibrated for correct greys and colours on 7 but I am now on a mission to copy that information from Windows to Linux but that is not happening yet. Wish Mint had a calibration Utility like 7 does, would be very handy. Still I only have to 2020 to get it sorted and by then we'll be on Mint 18 or so M$ need to wake up and smell something other than Windows 8 as this has desktop culling has got me looking to a new OS for the future.

Pardon my curiosity, but are you booting into Bootmgr (Windows Boot Manager) and then chainloading into (I assume) GRUB which then loads Linux? I've been looking at dual booting Windows 7 Pro and Linux Mint 14 KDE on my laptop while keeping Windows as the "master" of the computer.

Yes that is exactly what I am doing. I am familier with Easy BCD and it ment no pain, lost boots, recovery repairs and so on. I have three other OS on there one of which is for Virtual Machines so is kind of leaner than the other 2. Easy BCD alows you to back up the old config and also the new one. Well recommended tool.

 

[Indianatone]

Tony,

Re calibration: Did you check ou those links.

GNOME Color Manager

Calibrate your monitor | Ubuntu Field Manual

Screen Calibration on Ubuntu 12.04 with Spyder2 [workaround] | *n*x

I look into it, thanks Wolfgang.

 

[Golden]

I just wanted to know how easy it is in practice to have Windows and Bootmgr be the "master" of the system and chainloading into GRUB as appropriate.

Its straightforward using EasyBCD, just a few simple steps - its covered in PART D of the tutorial.

 

[lehnerus2000]

I've already tried Linux Mint 14 KDE (as well as a number of other distros) in a VirtualBox VM, which is why I'm confident in dualbooting my laptop with Windows 7 + Linux Mint 14 KDE. I just wanted to know how easy it is in practice to have Windows and Bootmgr be the "master" of the system and chainloading into GRUB as appropriate. As I still prefer Windows 7 and XP by far compared to Linux, having Windows as the master of the system just feels more reassuring; I realize the practical benefits of such a setup are nil otherwise.

It's easy enough to set GRUB to default boot Windows via the Windows bootloader (using a timeout).
You need to edit one text file.

I have XP, W7 and Linux Mint 14 MATE on my PC (I don't have the System Reserved partition).
My PC loads GRUB and if I don't select anything (after timeout), it then loads the Windows 7 boot menu, which loads W7 (after timeout).

I think that with your proposed setup, if the Windows bootloader "goes belly up" you won't be able to load Linux either (to fix Windows).
With the GRUB setup, I can still load Linux if Windows has died (obviously if GRUB "goes belly up" I can't load anything).

 

[Iforgot]

I've already tried Linux Mint 14 KDE (as well as a number of other distros) in a VirtualBox VM, which is why I'm confident in dualbooting my laptop with Windows 7 + Linux Mint 14 KDE. I just wanted to know how easy it is in practice to have Windows and Bootmgr be the "master" of the system and chainloading into GRUB as appropriate. As I still prefer Windows 7 and XP by far compared to Linux, having Windows as the master of the system just feels more reassuring; I realize the practical benefits of such a setup are nil otherwise.

It's easy enough to set GRUB to default boot Windows via the Windows bootloader (using a timeout).
You need to edit one text file.

I have XP, W7 and Linux Mint 14 MATE on my PC (I don't have the System Reserved partition).
My PC loads GRUB and if I don't select anything (after timeout), it then loads the Windows 7 boot menu, which loads W7 (after timeout).

I think that with your proposed setup, if the Windows bootloader "goes belly up" you won't be able to load Linux either (to fix Windows).
With the GRUB setup, I can still load Linux if Windows has died (obviously if GRUB "goes belly up" I can't load anything).

You can still repair boot sectors in Linux similar to Win.
Repair tools on Linux discs are far more intensive the hard part is working out the names.

Just loaded Linux Mint 14 Mate on a spare hdd/partition and boot either via bias.

 

[gregrocker]

In the space of one busy thread we changed into a Linux forum.

 

[whs]

Greg, we have to prepare for the future, LOL.

 

[Iforgot]

In the space of one busy thread we changed into a Linux forum.

It could be worse..................

Fruit Company

But even I have standards:shock:

 

[Lone Browncoat]

There is always React OS
ReactOS Project
Just need a billionaire to pump some cash into it and then we have a choice.

I've been waiting half a decade for that one to mature from VM.
What I've seen though looks good.

In the space of one busy thread we changed into a Linux forum.

Nyuk,Nyuk,Nyuk, as a famous bald guy once said.:roflmao:

 

[King Arthur]

I've already tried Linux Mint 14 KDE (as well as a number of other distros) in a VirtualBox VM, which is why I'm confident in dualbooting my laptop with Windows 7 + Linux Mint 14 KDE. I just wanted to know how easy it is in practice to have Windows and Bootmgr be the "master" of the system and chainloading into GRUB as appropriate. As I still prefer Windows 7 and XP by far compared to Linux, having Windows as the master of the system just feels more reassuring; I realize the practical benefits of such a setup are nil otherwise.

It's easy enough to set GRUB to default boot Windows via the Windows bootloader (using a timeout).
You need to edit one text file.

I have XP, W7 and Linux Mint 14 MATE on my PC (I don't have the System Reserved partition).
My PC loads GRUB and if I don't select anything (after timeout), it then loads the Windows 7 boot menu, which loads W7 (after timeout).

I think that with your proposed setup, if the Windows bootloader "goes belly up" you won't be able to load Linux either (to fix Windows).
With the GRUB setup, I can still load Linux if Windows has died (obviously if GRUB "goes belly up" I can't load anything).

Indeed. If Bootmgr were to fall ill then the whole system will fail, likewise if GRUB were the "master" and it fell ill like you mentioned. Plus, it'd definitely be easier to let GRUB be the master and have it chainload into Bootmgr, I fully realize there's no practical benefits from having Bootmgr be the master of the system.

That said, I'm still a Windows guy at heart and I feel more comfortable knowing that Windows 7 is holding the reins of my laptop rather than Linux or GRUB. I also want to see if I can manage constructing such a setup, a sort of personal challenge if you will.

In the space of one busy thread we changed into a Linux forum.

In all seriousness, I like how we're open to all operating systems out there even though we are primarily a Windows 7 discussion and support community. I've seen topics about Windows 8, XP, 2000, Linux, and even Macs being received kindly and I feel honored to be part of such a great community. :grouphug:

 

[lehnerus2000]

I meant ...

You can still repair boot sectors in Linux similar to Win.
Repair tools on Linux discs are far more intensive the hard part is working out the names.

Just loaded Linux Mint 14 Mate on a spare hdd/partition and boot either via bias.

I meant from the HDD (not a Live Linux CD/DVD).
I have all of my operating systems on the same HDD (triple boot).

 

[whs]

In all seriousness, I like how we're open to all operating systems out there even though we are primarily a Windows 7 discussion and support community. I've seen topics about Windows 8, XP, 2000, Linux, and even Macs being received kindly and I feel honored to be part of such a great community

That is the right spirit. That is the way it should be. After all, we are only looking for the best way to operate out PCs.

 

[Indianatone]

I've already tried Linux Mint 14 KDE (as well as a number of other distros) in a VirtualBox VM, which is why I'm confident in dualbooting my laptop with Windows 7 + Linux Mint 14 KDE. I just wanted to know how easy it is in practice to have Windows and Bootmgr be the "master" of the system and chainloading into GRUB as appropriate. As I still prefer Windows 7 and XP by far compared to Linux, having Windows as the master of the system just feels more reassuring; I realize the practical benefits of such a setup are nil otherwise.

It's easy enough to set GRUB to default boot Windows via the Windows bootloader (using a timeout).
You need to edit one text file.

I have XP, W7 and Linux Mint 14 MATE on my PC (I don't have the System Reserved partition).
My PC loads GRUB and if I don't select anything (after timeout), it then loads the Windows 7 boot menu, which loads W7 (after timeout).

I think that with your proposed setup, if the Windows bootloader "goes belly up" you won't be able to load Linux either (to fix Windows).
With the GRUB setup, I can still load Linux if Windows has died (obviously if GRUB "goes belly up" I can't load anything).

I thought of that, the OS's are all on separate drives. There are 6 spinners in this PC. The "boot partition is actually a music drive, drive N. If it does get corrupted I have the backup, I can also boot from a live CD, flash drive and Windows DVD. I had Grub at one time and I and it did not get on. This set up works for me, your mileage may vary.

 

[mjf]

In the space of one busy thread we changed into a Linux forum.

I know the linux topic may be a deviation but don't you think there is a message in that?

 

[lehnerus2000]

New Section?

In the space of one busy thread we changed into a Linux forum.

I know the linux topic may be a deviation but don't you think there is a message in that?

I believe there is.

Maybe SevenForums needs a new section - Linux discussions.

 

[gregrocker]

I wonder if John would consider a Linux forums since so many Linux issues come up here every day, and it seems from this thread for many the preferred successor to 7.

 

[King Arthur]

I wonder if John would consider a Linux forums since so many Linux issues come up here every day, and it seems from this thread for many the preferred successor to 7.

Linux isn't so much a "preferred" successor so much as it is the only practical successor around. Ideally, most of us would probably want something like "Windows 7 R2" to be the successor to Windows 7.

 

[mjf]

A "professional" version of a GNU linux (excluding Mac) only needs the support of major software vendors for it to take off.
I speculate that people bring up linux on a Windows 7 forum out of frustration with the way the W7 OS has migrated.
I'm sure the politics behind all of this could make a very interesting movie/book.

 

[mart4494]

A "professional" version of a GNU linux (excluding Mac) only needs the support of major software vendors for it to take off.
I speculate that people bring up linux on a Windows 7 forum out of frustration with the way the W7 OS has migrated.
I'm sure the politics behind all of this could make a very interesting movie/book.

Agree 100% and from memory I think it was Corel that dipped their toe in the water with Linux. Problem is that with the open source community there isn't any inclination to cough up the $$'s to make it work.