Member Avatar for DevC++4.9.9.2

Hello,

Background: I would like to install Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, and Linux on one machine. The reason is to learn in more detail which OS i want to use for certain tasks. I already know how to partition and install all the OS.

Question: What order do these have to be installed? What format should be used for each OS? Will I be able to select which OS to boot from at start-up? and if so, can I select which OS will be the default, or is it always the first OS installed?

Thanks in advance,
-Scottiey

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Short answer: install the two Windows systems first (older Windows before newer), leave unallocated space for Linux, then install Linux last so its bootloader can detect both Windows installs. Use NTFS for the Windows partitions; use your distro's recommended filesystem for Linux (ext4 is a safe default) and create a swap area or swapfile. If the machine uses UEFI/GPT, create one EFI System Partition (FAT32) and make sure every OS is installed in the same boot mode (all UEFI or all legacy BIOS).

Practical sequence:

  1. Backup everything.
  2. Decide boot mode (UEFI vs BIOS) and set it consistently.
  3. Create Windows partitions (or let each Windows installer create its own NTFS partition). Install Windows Server 2008 first, then install Windows 7 to the second NTFS partition. Leave remaining disk space unallocated for Linux.
  4. Install Linux into the free space: create root (ext4), optional separate /home, and swap. Install GRUB to the disk (MBR in legacy mode or the EFI partition in UEFI mode). GRUB will normally detect both Windows installs and add menu entries.

Boot/default behavior and quick fixes:

  • The active bootloader (the one installed last or the one set in firmware) controls the menu and default. It is not locked to "first installed". Installing Linux last usually makes GRUB the default; you can change the default entry by editing /etc/default/grub (or using grub-set-default) and then regenerating the config.
  • Typical commands on Debian/Ubuntu to detect Windows and update GRUB:
sudo os-prober
sudo update-grub
sudo grub-install /dev/sda
sudo update-grub
sudo grub-set-default 2   # set the 3rd menu entry as default

Troubleshooting/tips: if Windows overwrites GRUB, boot a live Linux and reinstall GRUB. If GRUB does not list Windows, ensure os-prober is enabled before updating grub. For many partitions remember MBR limits (4 primaries) or use an extended partition for logical partitions. As noted, virtualization is easier for quick tests but won't give true bare-metal performance; and as reminded, make full backups and keep your product keys before starting.

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Member Avatar for cwarn23

The easiest way to do it is just install Windows 7 on the machine then install a program called Virtualbox. With this program you can create virtual machines just like a vps but with the gui. So then you could allocate a certain amount of ram for Windows Server 2008 and Linux so they can all run at the same time.

Member Avatar for DevC++4.9.9.2

The easiest way to do it is just install Windows 7 on the machine then install a program called Virtualbox. With this program you can create virtual machines just like a vps but with the gui. So then you could allocate a certain amount of ram for Windows Server 2008 and Linux so they can all run at the same time.

I don't want to use virtual machine, Performance is one of the things Ill be testing while finding out which OS works best for my needs. Still just need an answer to the questions above

Member Avatar for cwarn23

Steps
1 - Then you could install First install Windows 7.
2 - Then temporarily install ubuntu to partitioned the disk. The ubuntu partition will be the size of the Windows Server partition.
3 - Install on top of Ubuntu Windows Server 2008
4 - Install Ubuntu and it should automatically choose the Windows 7 partition to split. Select the size of the Linux partition
5 - Install your Linux flavor on top of Ubuntu.

I don't know if that will 100% work but theoretically it should.

Member Avatar for DevC++4.9.9.2

Steps
1 - Then you could install First install Windows 7.
2 - Then temporarily install ubuntu to partitioned the disk. The ubuntu partition will be the size of the Windows Server partition.
3 - Install on top of Ubuntu Windows Server 2008
4 - Install Ubuntu and it should automatically choose the Windows 7 partition to split. Select the size of the Linux partition
5 - Install your Linux flavor on top of Ubuntu.

I don't know if that will 100% work but theoretically it should.

Thank you for the replies... But from what ive been reading and prior knowledge, you want to install the Oldest OS first, and Linux should go last so it sees all the partitions... So

If I Made 3 partitions, Installed Server (NTFS) on the first, Win 7(NTFS) on the second and Linux on the third, I should be able to select the start-up OS and default would be server... Does this sound right too you, if not Why?

Member Avatar for cwarn23

Well using my method the default OS would be the last one installed but if you used a program like Partition Magic then you might be able to change the default order via Partitioner settings.

Member Avatar for Windows7Guy

Hello DevC++,

Your best bet is a clean new installation to avoid any problems. Regrettably, you will have to re-install most of your programs.

Backup all of your data to an external hard drive or flash drive.

Install clean installation of Windows 7 and then keep the Windows 7 Product key. You can activate it via Phone Activation system and at the same time, the copy on the so called "old computer" *your old windows system is deactivated.
Phone Activation system
================================================
1. Click the Start button, type "SLUI.EXE 4" (without the quotation marks) in the search box, and press “Enter”.
2. Select the neatest location, and click "Next".
3. Please click "Continue" when the User Account Control dialog-box appears.
4. The Windows Activation will generate a toll-free phone number. And the installation ID will be displayed in the following format:
xxxxxx – xxxxxx – xxxxxx – xxxxxx – xxxxxx – xxxxxx – xxxxxx – xxxxxx – xxxxxx
5. Call the number to activate Windows 7.

Let me know how it goes!

John M.
Microsoft Windows Client Team
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/default.aspx

Member Avatar for DevC++4.9.9.2

the problem is not multiple os are installed. please actualy read the thread Thanks anyways

Hello DevC++,

Your best bet is a clean new installation to avoid any problems. Regrettably, you will have to re-install most of your programs.

Backup all of your data to an external hard drive or flash drive.

Install clean installation of Windows 7 and then keep the Windows 7 Product key. You can activate it via Phone Activation system and at the same time, the copy on the so called "old computer" *your old windows system is deactivated.
Phone Activation system
================================================
1. Click the Start button, type "SLUI.EXE 4" (without the quotation marks) in the search box, and press “Enter”.
2. Select the neatest location, and click "Next".
3. Please click "Continue" when the User Account Control dialog-box appears.
4. The Windows Activation will generate a toll-free phone number. And the installation ID will be displayed in the following format:
xxxxxx – xxxxxx – xxxxxx – xxxxxx – xxxxxx – xxxxxx – xxxxxx – xxxxxx – xxxxxx
5. Call the number to activate Windows 7.

Let me know how it goes!

John M.
Microsoft Windows Client Team
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/default.aspx

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