Multiboot System under Windows XP –

Ubuntu – Windows 7

Qiong LIN - 28 April 2012

Multiboot

Mutlibooting means to host multiple

Operating Systems (OS) on one single computer

Why Multibooting ?

Some softwares run only under one specific operating system (ex: Windows or Linux)

Tests running on different environments within one machine

Efficiency and cost savings on hardware Migration to a new operating system

Step into … Multibooting Process

Preparation beforehand: partitioning Installing new operating systems Select and launch one of those operating

systems

Step 1 - Partitioning

Partitioning is the process of dividing an

entire storage device into smaller chunks

Rules to keep in mind: Size & structure File system specific to OS’s in use

Partitioning – Size and Structure

Size Allocate sufficient space depending on new OS and

future uses

Structure of the partition: Primary partition ( max 4 units)

Extended partition (> 4 units), which leads to: Logical volume

How to partition ?

Issue: computer hard drive mounted -> not modifiable

Solution: use a Live CD (System Rescue CD)

Partitioning – File systems

Assign the right file system to each partition:

NTFS -> Windows file system

ext4 -> Linux file system

Step 2 – Installation ongoing …

Three OS’s are installed in this order:

Windows XP Ubuntu Windows 7

…. Installations done!

Step 3 – Multibooting process

BIOS -> sends INT 13h -> 1st sector (MBR) Customised GRUB multiboot start menu Load the booting code Launch the operating system on the selected

partition

1st

Data Protection

Achieve data security => data encryption

No separation between different OS’s – free access to data

Linux Win XP

Win XP Win 7

Linux Win 7

(ext2Fsd)

(ext2Fsd)

Data Encryption – two scenariosOS built-in password protected encryption Linux – pre-installing protection (option on the

whole partition/individual files)

Windows XP/7 – individual files

Third-party encryption (TrueCrypt) Virtual mounted disk

Example: File locally encrypted on Linux

Linux WindowsJ ohn

Maria

J ohn

permission denied

Encrypted file

Conclusions

Multibooting -> gain flexibility on number of OS’s available

To better explore the computer capacities Skills gained: booting, partitioning, OS’s

features, different file systems Becoming conscious about data

safeguarding