Dual booting question

Apologies if this is posted in the wrong section.

I would like to add a second sata HDD which contains Windows7 and was formatted using the same computer.
At present I'm using a sata HDD that contains Windows XP and several Linux distros and I'm using Grub boot-loader to select which ever.
Am I able to install the second HDD and meerly add an extra entry to the menu 1st file on the first HDD and if so what?Or is it more complicated?

This is the entry I have currently in menu1st file to boot XP.

title windows
root (hd0,0)
makeactive
chainloader +1

Thanks for any help

Bare Foot Kid said:

Hello Sleepy 1.





If the 'new' OS boots independently you should be able to add the second Hard Disk Drive (HDD) and just use the BIOS boot menu to select which OS / HDD to boot from, that would be the best way because you could add / remove HDDs at will and not foul up the system booting.
Be sure to post back with the outcome.

Hi Bare Foot Kid

Thanks for your reply...

Unfortunately it doesn't seem that simple.
I connected the 2nd HDD and it is recognized in bios settings.
However,when booting up,it doesn't give me the choice of which HDD to boot to and loads straight to my Grub boot splash screen on HDD 1.
Any fresh ideas please?

BIOS boot change.
Boot Priority - Change - Vista Forums

Set your original HD to boot first in BIOS boot order.

Then boot the new HD by tapping the key given on first bootup screen for BIOS Boot Menu.

Did you install the OS to the second HD with the first one unplugged as is necessary to boot it independently via BIOS?

gregrocker said:

Set your original HD to boot first in BIOS boot order.

Then boot the new HD by tapping the key given on first bootup screen for BIOS Boot Menu.

Did you install the OS to the second HD with the first one unplugged as is necessary to boot it independently via BIOS?

Hi gregrocker

Yes I did install the OS to the second HD with the first one unplugged.
I thought that by adding an extra entry to the menu 1st file in grub on my original HD would be sufficient.
Do I take it that this is not possible now?

The cleanest dual boot arrangement now for you is to set your Linux HD as first to boot in BIOS setup, then if you want to boot the other Win7 HD, tap the key given on first boot screen (or in your mobo manual) for one-time BIOS Boot Menu to select it.

This keeps the HD's independent to come and go as you please, and will save you grief later when you try to remove one.

As for adding the new install to the GRUB menu, as this is a Win7 forum we only have limited Linux support. If you're intent upon adding Win7 to GRUB in this case, you might get faster help in a Linux forum.

Thanks for that gregrocker

I shall accept that and I'm very grateful for the clarification.

Just an update and fix to my original question.
I added the following line to my menu 1st file in grub and it successfully boots my second HD without the need to select which HD from bios at each boot.

title Windows 7
rootnoverify (hd1,0)
map (hd0) (hd1)
map (hd1) (hd0)
makeactive
chainloader +1