Ubuntu Linux, Windows 10 & XP multi boot

GeorgeTurner

I’ve got Ubuntu & Win 10 successfully working on an old desktop pc. The Grub2 boot loader works just fine.
Previously I installed a copy of XP on another partition on the same hard disc.
In Grub2 Customizer I’ve added XP as another menu choice but I can’t get it to run when chosen.
details are:-
name XP
Type Chainloader 
partition /dev/sda5 (winXP, ntfs)
boot sequence 
set root=‘(hd0,5)’
search-no-floppy-fs-uuid-set 30B85213B851D844
drivemap -s (hd0) ${foot}
chainloader +1

The above details were generated by Grub2 Customizer.
I wondered if there was anything above that was obviously wrong.
 Thanks 

Neil_Jones

Windows bootloaders tend to insist on being the only operating system on the drive.

The easiest way to accomplish a dual-boot is to install the oldest operating system first, and then in the order that they were released coming forward.

You should then be able to install Ubuntu afterwards which then works as a dual-boot for both it and all the versions of Windows too.

debitcardmayhem

search-no-floppy-fs-uuid-set 30B85213B851D844

should that be

search --nofloppy  --fs-uuid   --set=root 30B85213B851D844

Not sure though since I no longer have an XP partition , I run my XP in Virtualbox

where is your grub.cfg ? could you put the full one up

GeorgeTurner

#
# DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE
#
# It is automatically generated by grub-mkconfig using templates
# from /etc/grub.d and settings from /etc/default/grub
#

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
if [ -s $prefix/grubenv ]; then
  set have_grubenv=true
  load_env
fi
if [ "${initrdfail}" = 2 ]; then
   set initrdfail=
elif [ "${initrdfail}" = 1 ]; then
   set next_entry="${prev_entry}"
   set prev_entry=
   save_env prev_entry
   if [ "${next_entry}" ]; then
      set initrdfail=2
   fi
fi
if [ "${next_entry}" ] ; then
   set default="${next_entry}"
   set next_entry=
   save_env next_entry
   set boot_once=true
else
   set default="0"
fi

if [ x"${feature_menuentry_id}" = xy ]; then
  menuentry_id_option="--id"
else
  menuentry_id_option=""
fi

export menuentry_id_option

if [ "${prev_saved_entry}" ]; then
  set saved_entry="${prev_saved_entry}"
  save_env saved_entry
  set prev_saved_entry=
  save_env prev_saved_entry
  set boot_once=true
fi

function savedefault {
  if [ -z "${boot_once}" ]; then
    saved_entry="${chosen}"
    save_env saved_entry
  fi
}
function initrdfail {
    if [ -n "${have_grubenv}" ]; then if [ -n "${partuuid}" ]; then
      if [ -z "${initrdfail}" ]; then
        set initrdfail=1
        if [ -n "${boot_once}" ]; then
          set prev_entry="${default}"
          save_env prev_entry
        fi
      fi
      save_env initrdfail
    fi; fi
}
function recordfail {
  set recordfail=1
  if [ -n "${have_grubenv}" ]; then if [ -z "${boot_once}" ]; then save_env recordfail; fi; fi
}
function load_video {
  if [ x$feature_all_video_module = xy ]; then
    insmod all_video
  else
    insmod efi_gop
    insmod efi_uga
    insmod ieee1275_fb
    insmod vbe
    insmod vga
    insmod video_bochs
    insmod video_cirrus
  fi
}

if [ x$feature_default_font_path = xy ] ; then
   font=unicode
else
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,msdos6'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos6 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos6 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos6  637ecdb4-a199-4105-85f1-ae0f2d1ba8db
else
  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 637ecdb4-a199-4105-85f1-ae0f2d1ba8db
fi
    font="/usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2"
fi

if loadfont $font ; then
  set gfxmode=640x480
  load_video
  insmod gfxterm
  set locale_dir=$prefix/locale
  set lang=en_GB
  insmod gettext
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
if [ "${recordfail}" = 1 ] ; then
  set timeout=30
else
  if [ x$feature_timeout_style = xy ] ; then
    set timeout_style=hidden
    set timeout=10
  # Fallback hidden-timeout code in case the timeout_style feature is
  # unavailable.
  elif sleep --interruptible 10 ; then
    set timeout=0
  fi
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/00_header ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###
set menu_color_normal=white/black
set menu_color_highlight=black/light-gray
### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux_proxy ###

function gfxmode {
    set gfxpayload="${1}"
    if [ "${1}" = "keep" ]; then
        set vt_handoff=vt.handoff=7
    else
        set vt_handoff=
    fi
}
if [ "${recordfail}" != 1 ]; then
  if [ -e ${prefix}/gfxblacklist.txt ]; then
    if hwmatch ${prefix}/gfxblacklist.txt 3; then
      if [ ${match} = 0 ]; then
        set linux_gfx_mode=keep
      else
        set linux_gfx_mode=text
      fi
    else
      set linux_gfx_mode=text
    fi
  else
    set linux_gfx_mode=keep
  fi
else
  set linux_gfx_mode=text
fi
export linux_gfx_mode



### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux_proxy ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober_proxy ###
menuentry "Windows 10 (on /dev/sda1)" --class windows --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-chain-C80CC6710CC65A58' {
    insmod part_msdos
    insmod ntfs
    set root='hd0,msdos1'
    if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
      search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos1 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos1 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos1  C80CC6710CC65A58
    else
      search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root C80CC6710CC65A58
    fi
    parttool ${root} hidden-
    drivemap -s (hd0) ${root}
    chainloader +1
}
### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober_proxy ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/31_linux_proxy ###
menuentry "Ubuntu" --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-simple-637ecdb4-a199-4105-85f1-ae0f2d1ba8db' {
    recordfail
    load_video
    gfxmode $linux_gfx_mode
    insmod gzio
    if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
    insmod part_msdos
    insmod ext2
    set root='hd0,msdos6'
    if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
      search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos6 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos6 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos6  637ecdb4-a199-4105-85f1-ae0f2d1ba8db
    else
      search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 637ecdb4-a199-4105-85f1-ae0f2d1ba8db
    fi
    linux    /boot/vmlinuz-5.4.0-33-generic root=UUID=637ecdb4-a199-4105-85f1-ae0f2d1ba8db ro  quiet splash $vt_handoff
    initrd    /boot/initrd.img-5.4.0-33-generic
}
submenu "Advanced options for Ubuntu"{
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 5.4.0-33-generic" --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-5.4.0-33-generic-advanced-637ecdb4-a199-4105-85f1-ae0f2d1ba8db' {
        recordfail
        load_video
        gfxmode $linux_gfx_mode
        insmod gzio
        if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
        insmod part_msdos
        insmod ext2
        set root='hd0,msdos6'
        if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
          search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos6 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos6 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos6  637ecdb4-a199-4105-85f1-ae0f2d1ba8db
        else
          search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 637ecdb4-a199-4105-85f1-ae0f2d1ba8db
        fi
        echo    'Loading Linux 5.4.0-33-generic ...'
        linux    /boot/vmlinuz-5.4.0-33-generic root=UUID=637ecdb4-a199-4105-85f1-ae0f2d1ba8db ro  quiet splash $vt_handoff
        echo    'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
        initrd    /boot/initrd.img-5.4.0-33-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 5.4.0-33-generic (recovery mode)" --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-5.4.0-33-generic-recovery-637ecdb4-a199-4105-85f1-ae0f2d1ba8db' {
        recordfail
        load_video
        insmod gzio
        if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
        insmod part_msdos
        insmod ext2
        set root='hd0,msdos6'
        if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
          search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos6 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos6 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos6  637ecdb4-a199-4105-85f1-ae0f2d1ba8db
        else
          search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 637ecdb4-a199-4105-85f1-ae0f2d1ba8db
        fi
        echo    'Loading Linux 5.4.0-33-generic ...'
        linux    /boot/vmlinuz-5.4.0-33-generic root=UUID=637ecdb4-a199-4105-85f1-ae0f2d1ba8db ro recovery nomodeset
        echo    'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
        initrd    /boot/initrd.img-5.4.0-33-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 5.4.0-26-generic" --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-5.4.0-26-generic-advanced-637ecdb4-a199-4105-85f1-ae0f2d1ba8db' {
        recordfail
        load_video
        gfxmode $linux_gfx_mode
        insmod gzio
        if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
        insmod part_msdos
        insmod ext2
        set root='hd0,msdos6'
        if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
          search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos6 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos6 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos6  637ecdb4-a199-4105-85f1-ae0f2d1ba8db
        else
          search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 637ecdb4-a199-4105-85f1-ae0f2d1ba8db
        fi
        echo    'Loading Linux 5.4.0-26-generic ...'
        linux    /boot/vmlinuz-5.4.0-26-generic root=UUID=637ecdb4-a199-4105-85f1-ae0f2d1ba8db ro  quiet splash $vt_handoff
        echo    'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
        initrd    /boot/initrd.img-5.4.0-26-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 5.4.0-26-generic (recovery mode)" --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-5.4.0-26-generic-recovery-637ecdb4-a199-4105-85f1-ae0f2d1ba8db' {
        recordfail
        load_video
        insmod gzio
        if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
        insmod part_msdos
        insmod ext2
        set root='hd0,msdos6'
        if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
          search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos6 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos6 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos6  637ecdb4-a199-4105-85f1-ae0f2d1ba8db
        else
          search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 637ecdb4-a199-4105-85f1-ae0f2d1ba8db
        fi
        echo    'Loading Linux 5.4.0-26-generic ...'
        linux    /boot/vmlinuz-5.4.0-26-generic root=UUID=637ecdb4-a199-4105-85f1-ae0f2d1ba8db ro recovery nomodeset
        echo    'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
        initrd    /boot/initrd.img-5.4.0-26-generic
}
}
### END /etc/grub.d/31_linux_proxy ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/32_linux_zfs ###
### END /etc/grub.d/32_linux_zfs ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/33_linux_xen ###

### END /etc/grub.d/33_linux_xen ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/34_memtest86+_proxy ###



### END /etc/grub.d/34_memtest86+_proxy ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/35_os-prober_proxy ###


set timeout_style=menu
if [ "${timeout}" = 0 ]; then
  set timeout=10
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/35_os-prober_proxy ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/36_memtest86+_proxy ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
    insmod part_msdos
    insmod ext2
    set root='hd0,msdos6'
    if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
      search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos6 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos6 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos6  637ecdb4-a199-4105-85f1-ae0f2d1ba8db
    else
      search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 637ecdb4-a199-4105-85f1-ae0f2d1ba8db
    fi
    knetbsd    /boot/memtest86+.elf
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
    insmod part_msdos
    insmod ext2
    set root='hd0,msdos6'
    if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
      search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos6 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos6 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos6  637ecdb4-a199-4105-85f1-ae0f2d1ba8db
    else
      search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 637ecdb4-a199-4105-85f1-ae0f2d1ba8db
    fi
    linux16    /boot/memtest86+.bin console=ttyS0,115200n8
}
### END /etc/grub.d/36_memtest86+_proxy ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/37_uefi-firmware ###
### END /etc/grub.d/37_uefi-firmware ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###
# This file provides an easy way to add custom menu entries.  Simply type the
# menu entries you want to add after this comment.  Be careful not to change
# the 'exec tail' line above.
menuentry "Windows XP"{
    set root='(hd0,5)'
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 30B85213B851D844
    drivemap -s (hd0) ${root}
    chainloader +1
}
### END /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
if [ -f  ${config_directory}/custom.cfg ]; then
  source ${config_directory}/custom.cfg
elif [ -z "${config_directory}" -a -f  $prefix/custom.cfg ]; then
  source $prefix/custom.cfg;
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###

GeorgeTurner

thanks debitcardmayhem and others. As suggested I've posted the entire grub.cfg file above. Sorry for the length of the file.

Regards

debitcardmayhem

GeorgeTurner said:

thanks debitcardmayhem and others. As suggested I've posted the entire grub.cfg file above. Sorry for the length of the file.

Regards

Could you run this and see what is in mygrub

sudo grub2-mkconfig --output=mygrub

see if it is the same as the one above

debitcardmayhem

A sample XP one here

menuentry "Windows XP BIOS MBR" {
     insmod part_msdos
     insmod ntldr
     insmod ntfs
     ntldr (hd0,msdos5)/ntldr
}

or a sample of chainloader is

chainloader (hd0,msdos5)+1

GeorgeTurner

thanks but the command suggested returns the following error

sudo: grub2-mkconfig: command not found
I did try the Chainloader suggestion but also couldn't get it to work - probably my fault

debitcardmayhem

Aaah Ubuntu on there its grub-mkconfig ....my bad, so used to Fedora

debitcardmayhem

This is a sample that works , but try the grub-mkconfig first.

This was my grub-mkconfig output

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry 'Microsoft Windows XP Professional (on /dev/sdax)' --class windows --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-chain-CC24FEB624FEA31E' {
        insmod part_msdos
        insmod ntfs
        set root='hd0,msdos2'
        if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
          search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos2 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos2  CC24FEB624FEA31E
        else
          search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root CC24FEB624FEA31E
        fi
        parttool ${root} hidden-
        drivemap -s (hd0) ${root}
        chainloader +1
}
set timeout_style=menu
if [ "${timeout}" = 0 ]; then
  set timeout=10
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###

The bits that are struck out eg CC24FEB624FEA31E

Need to be changed for your details eg msdos5 (if your partition is 5)

and the CC24...... is the UUID of your XP disk you can check that with gparted on Ubuntu select that partition right click and go to information

a

unless you really need special hardware adapter or device access, put it on a vm like virtualbox, vmware, or hyper v and a few more, and save yourself some disk space with thin provisioning, and the insanity of boot loaders.