Solved Win + Double Linux config: Separate GRUB or boot partition/treatment?

[LateToWin7Party]

First time attempt at Windows-Linux configuration after clean install of Windows 7 (System Reserved was avoided).

At first I was planning to add Linux Mint only. It was clear from reading that no separate Linux boot partition was needed (e.g., I have no LVM, no RAID, no second drive).

However, before I proceed to complete the Linux side, I realized I would like/need to add a modest-sized second Linux partition (for DEBIAN).

Do I need -- or is it advisable in the face of *two* Linux OS's -- to create a small primary GRUB partition (for reasons I'm not sure of)?

I woke up this morning worrying that I might have needed that System Reserved partition, forcing a repartition and re-install of Windows and Office 2010 (yuk).

I want to ensure the Win + double Linux OS boot processes will be supported properly.

Does running *two* Linux OS's on a Windows machine require or recommend a special GRUB or boot partition to make everything work together?

Thanks!
LateToWinParty

:::

Oops...just added a question on successful use of Data Partition

Hard drive: 250 GB [avoided System Reserved]

C:/ [Windows] 90 GB => Windows/Apps/Overhead space (even spillover of data if needed)
D:/ [Data: Docs/Files] 90 GB **

Free/Unallocated: 70 GB

** I am hoping that using a data partition alongside Windows is as easy as a transfer of one's user Libraries to the D:/ Data partition as is described here in this article

(Is there different better advice on how to make a Data Partition work smoothly?)

Move Your Data to a Safer, Separate Partition in Windows 7
by Cedric Crawley

(After transfer of your standard user Library folders to the Data Partition...)

AppData is a lot trickier than your other data folders. Windows doesn't want you to move it, and it contains files that you really shouldn't move. But it contains other files that should be on the data partition. Open AppData, right-click the Roaming folder and select Properties. Click the Location tab and do as explained earlier. Then reboot....

http://www.pcworld.com/article/190286/data_part_win7.html

 

[SIW2]

Does running *two* Linux OS's on a Windows machine require or recommend a special GRUB or boot partition to make everything work together?

No, I have had 4 linux multibooting with a couple of windows.

 

[LateToWin7Party]

SIW2: Thanks...I just realized it's not fair for to use SevenForums space here for this question which is a much Linux as Windows. I will pose it to a Linux venue.

But I might break out the Data partition question as new thread.

Thanks!