Multi independant boot's

[Labougie]

Hello,

I'd like to have a multi independant boot with my acer computer.
I explain myself.

I install the first os on my hdd, so this partition is active. C:\
From this partition i build a second one, and i active it. So i've got a d:\
I reboot my computer, install the second os on d:\

When i start my computer, he runs d:\ cause this partition is active, if i want to use the first one, i just need to active the partition in the "' disk management setting "'.

Now i've got a multi boot independant.

On my acer computer, threre is an eisa partition ( hidden ). I formatte it, install a third OS, and i don't forget to active the partition to use it. I've got e:\
The good new is that, when i hit the F10 during the boot start mode, this os runs, even if i use an other one.


Why i've chosen this install method, and not a normal multiboot with Gag or Vistabootpro, like that i have 3 normal boot, and if one crash i can use again my computer without troubles.

So my question is.

Is it possible to give a F key for the 2 others OS ?
Like that it'll be more fun to use my computer and jump from the 1st os to an other one, during the start boot mode.

labougie

 

[Anthony]

Do you have 3 hard drives??

 

[Labougie]

Do you have 3 hard drives??

Hello,

i've got 4 hdd's, yes, but the eisa is on the same as C:\

labougie

 

[Labougie]

hello, up, thanks, labougie,

 

[SIW2]

Hi Labougle,

I do a similar thing.

I do it the other way round.

I install the o/s in the usual way with the first partition marked as active.

Then copy the boot files onto the other partitions.

If I wish, I can set any partition as active and boot through it.

You could pick one partition which uses bootmgr, eg Vista or 7. Mark it Active. Add the other o/s to bcd.

Then you will get all three o/s displayed on the boot menu.

Use the Arrow key and Enter to select one.

I don't know a way of assigning just one key to use instead of Arrow and Enter.

Hope it helps

 

[Labougie]

Hi siw,

Thanks for your answer.

My main problem is to have the possibility to chose the os with a F key.

During the boot sequence, i hit the F key, and like that i can chosen my os. I'm looking for these tips who can help me and other to start directly on the os you want, without a normal multiboot, ( a normal multiboot show you 3 lines for you os, and you'll have just to select the good one ).

I don't know if my question is about a bios section, or just at the beginning of the Hdd start.
All the Eisa partition have a F key.
What kind of secret behind this F key ? This is my real question.

And, when the release will be done, i've just stick the F key with, for example : Vista, 7, or XP.

I think it's a good way to use and find easely you os.

Thanks a lot for have readen.

labougie

 

[barney]

I cannot help you although I do understand what you require!
You wake up switch on your computer and say what system do I want today
John? F1 For Vista F2 for Wn7 etc etc
Good Idea but I do not know how to assign the F keys I hope someone
can help you

best

barney

 

[Dwarf]

Sorry, Labougie, but this cannot be done without a major rewrite of your BIOS code. When you boot a PC, irrespective of which OS is installed, the first program which is automatically activated is the code which is present in your BIOS. This runs the POST, checks what hardware you have installed, and responds to certain key presses to activate BIOS related functions. It is not possible to reassign these functions or add additional keys to those already assigned.

 

[Labougie]

Hi barney,

The most important thing is to know how an hidden Eisa partition is made.

If someone knows that, it'll be simple ( i think ) to build an F key.

My english is not so good enough to read most of english web sites. So, if one of you, know how to build an Eisa Partition, we will have a part of the solution.

labougie,

 

[snifferpro]

With my Motherboard and Bios I can hit f8 at boot and it gives me a boot selection screen. Difference is that I have 3 Independent hard drives.

 

[Labougie]

Hi Snifferpro,

Good idea, i keep it. I think this key is different from each computer's Brands.

My Acer gives me an F12 key for chosing.

Have you got 2 os on the same hdd snifferpro, if yes, with your method, are you able to chose the os you want on this same hdd ? ( Different partition ).

labougie,

 

[snifferpro]

I have 3 Hard drives:

1. Win Vista Business 64 bit
2. Win 7 RC1 64 bit
3. Mac OS X 10.5.6

I did this for testing purposes but will eventually try to put all three
operating systems on 1 drive with 3 partitions.

 

[Labougie]

Hi sniffer,

i've read on a french web site (jc bellamy), that the F key, will be available between the bios and the fisrt boot on the Hdd.

So, the difficulty is to know how the builders insert this famous F key on the starting block.

Do you use acronis software? I've it but not a great user of it. Cause there is a question. I made only simple backup's since a month. (I was fed up to reinstall everything after each install test to find how to put this F key )

Do you think, (that after release a hidden partition with a backup os), that is posible to include this F key?

If you have it and how to use it very well, it'll be a pleasure to test it.

You Hdd are better organise than mine, cause 2 of them are for backups
hdd 0 => eisa \ vista\ data \ backups \\
hdd 1 => pictures \
hdd 2 => vista again \ Acronis backups \ nothing or tests \ seven (logical partition \
hdd 3 => 39 mo \ data \

I think is we have an eisa partition on each beginning, it would be a piece of solution.

labougie

 

[snifferpro]

I'm not sure I understand your question.

I use Acronis once a week to make a full backup of my hard drives for each
operating system. I use 1 drive (500gb) for all my backups. If a drive fails or the
operating system fails, I can quickly restore to a new hard drive and be back running in about 20 minutes. I use Acronis V11 right now with the Safe Media addon to
recognize my SATA drives. Going to go to Acronis 2009 shortly. The install DVD for that is also a bootable recovery CD.

As for the F key, it is a function of the Bios supplied with the motherboard.
If your drive is set up for multiboot, then using the F key to select boot drive
should still allow you to select Op Sys from booted drive

 

[Labougie]

Hi sniffer,

thanks a lot for you answer.
With acronis have you already use the backup on a hidden part. If yes, have you an option to build an F key, ( for booting you computer if this one have a crash ).

"' My acer computer have an hidden partition with the F10 in case of crash ( i've install on this recovery, (on an other computer), an Op SysT and when i want to boot on it i hit the F10 and i go directly on this OP Syst. "'

The hidden recovery partition from Acer an all the recovery's partitions from all builder's have this particulary to boot with an F key, why not whit acronis.

iF i'm right, after having this recovery partition, we'll a partition whit an F key.

Thanks for your knowledge with Acronis, i'm a newbie with.

Labougie

 

[snifferpro]

I've never used Acronis with a hidden partition but I think that when you do a full
backup you should get a choice of what drives to backup. If the hidden partition is
on the drive you are backing up I think it will copy it but I'm not sure. What I would
do is do a full backup of the drive that has a hidden partition and then using a new
empty drive, I would boot the recovery CD and do a restore to the new drive making
sure to check MBR. After restore is done, reboot your system and see if you can
use your F key.

Make sure you use an empty drive and make it the only drive in the system.

You could also use the Acronis forums and ask the question there.

If you use the Acronis forum, post their response here.

 

[Labougie]

So,

i keep this topic open, give a feedback when acronis gives me an answer.
It'll be a fench forum, if you speak french, i could post the link.

I'll try your tip too.

thanks for all conversations.

Give an answer asap acronis gives me one

labougie