How does Linux detect Windows?

Hi,

How, exactly, does Linux (opensuse 13.2) detect Windows XP when setting up a dual boot computer? What files or folders are looked for?

I’m asking for two reasons - I’d like to learn more about Linux and, in my dual boot setup (XP and 13.2), there are two “Windows” OSs showing up in the Grub OS selection menu. One of the two “Windows” doesn’t work / isn’t real.

Linux and XP are on one drive and backup stuff is on another drive.

Thanks,

Jim

This looks like a nice tutorial it may help I have not gone through it all yet myself

http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/grub-2.html

Have a look at this script:
/usr/lib/os-probes/mounted/20microsoft

It looks for “ntldr”, “ntdetect.com”, and “boot.ini” apparently.

wolfi323 and gogalthorp,

Thank you both. This was helpful. Now I understand why Linux thinks I have two Windows OSs. Only have one.

Jim