More Than 3 Out of 4 Enthusiasts Reject Windows 8
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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. 
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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. 
Last edited by lehnerus2000; 31 Mar 2013 at 22:15.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
