[Solved] Windows Vista & FreeBSD (dual-boot problem)

Anti_Evil · #1 June 22nd, 2009, 22:02

Hi there,

I've installed FreeBSD 7.2 RELEASE on the pc that currently running Windows Vista. In installation steps i selected to "Leave the Master Boot Record untouched".

Well, seems that it didn't worked and now after rebooting system it automatically start-up the BSD.

Is there anyway to bring back my Vista ?
I want it to be dual-boot.

Regards,
Hadi

ale · #2 June 22nd, 2009, 22:45

You can try installing a boot loader like sysutils/grub from ports.
You can also try sysutils/gag and run it from a floppy leaving your hd untouched.
I know nothing about Vista, but I guess you can try restoring its boot loader from the install cd.

renice · #3 June 23rd, 2009, 07:14

You can start the Vista CD/DVD and then get to the Repair Options. This will fix the mbr. Install the freebsd boot manager through the option 'custom installation' at freebsd cd.

Then, if there's only the possibility to boot Vista you can set the freebsd boot manager through FIXIT again:

Code:

# fdisk -B -b /boot/boot0 DEVICE

**manolis@** · #4 June 23rd, 2009, 07:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anti_Evil

Hi there,

I've installed FreeBSD 7.2 RELEASE on the pc that currently running Windows Vista. In installation steps i selected to "Leave the Master Boot Record untouched".

Good move, required for the instructions that will follow

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anti_Evil

Well, seems that it didn't worked and now after rebooting system it automatically start-up the BSD.
Hadi

Although the MBR was not installed, sysinstall marked your FreeBSD partition active, hence you are always booting FreeBSD. As root, execute:

Code:

fdisk -a /dev/ad0

(substitute ad0 with your actual disk device name)

Change the active partition to the vista one and save the new partition table when prompted. You will reboot and get straight to Vista. Problem is you will not be able to boot FreeBSD then, but fear not.

Google and download EasyBCD. Install in Vista, it is a trivial GUI tool (free). You will get a FreeBSD entry in Vista's boot menue (!)
And it will all work fine.

Anti_Evil · #5 June 24th, 2009, 07:29

Thanks alot, it worked !

Long live to FreeBSD �e

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The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to manolis@ For This Useful Post:
Anti_Evil (June 25th, 2009), donxc (February 21st, 2010), kcbowhunter (January 26th, 2011), krynn (October 19th, 2009), skangraf (September 19th, 2010)