Because of work, I am required to install Windows 7 on my PC. I currently have openSUSE and an Ubuntu-based system (which i will trash if necessary) installed and people I have talked to recommended reinstalling openSUSE after i have installed Windows. I dont want to lose my current system though, so is there a way to install Windows, and then replace the MBR or whatever with GRUB2? Will the windows loader work correctly?
As MS Windows refuses to recognise that there could ever be any other operating system on the PC, the advise given to you is correct.
IIRC, you could use Virtualisation to install it inside your openSUSE. But it maybe better to ask about that in the Virtualization sub-forum
On 2014-02-03 20:26, Bisasam wrote:
>
> Because of work, I am required to install Windows 7 on my PC. I
> currently have openSUSE and an Ubuntu-based system (which i will trash
> if necessary) installed and people I have talked to recommended
> reinstalling openSUSE after i have installed Windows. I dont want to
> lose my current system though, so is there a way to install Windows, and
> then replace the MBR or whatever with GRUB2? Will the windows loader
> work correctly?
The problem is directing Windows to install exactly on the partitions
you want, instead of taking the entire disk and destroying it all. Not
only the MBR.
–
Cheers / Saludos,
Carlos E. R.
(from 12.3 x86_64 “Dartmouth” at Telcontar)
With Windows 7 you can select the partition in the installer.
On 2014-02-03 21:26, Bisasam wrote:
>
> robin_listas;2621859 Wrote:
>>
>> The problem is directing Windows to install exactly on the partitions
>> you want, instead of taking the entire disk and destroying it all. Not
>> only the MBR.
> With Windows 7 you can select the partition in the installer.
Not with an OEM CD.
–
Cheers / Saludos,
Carlos E. R.
(from 12.3 x86_64 “Dartmouth” at Telcontar)
On Mon 03 Feb 2014 09:38:12 PM CST, Carlos E. R. wrote:
On 2014-02-03 21:26, Bisasam wrote:
>
> robin_listas;2621859 Wrote:
>>
>> The problem is directing Windows to install exactly on the partitions
>> you want, instead of taking the entire disk and destroying it all.
>> Not only the MBR.
> With Windows 7 you can select the partition in the installer.
Not with an OEM CD.
Hi
I can select which version of Windows (Starter, Home, Professional or
Ultimate) to install as well as which partition to install in… This is
with an OEM Windows 7 DVD. Not an OEM Restore DVD…
–
Cheers Malcolm °¿° SUSE Knowledge Partner (Linux Counter #276890)
openSUSE 13.1 (Bottle) (x86_64) GNOME 3.10.2 Kernel 3.11.6-4-desktop
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On 2014-02-03 22:54, malcolmlewis wrote:
> Hi
> I can select which version of Windows (Starter, Home, Professional or
> Ultimate) to install as well as which partition to install in… This is
> with an OEM Windows 7 DVD. Not an OEM Restore DVD…
Right, those do not work.
You have to try.
In any case, I would consider installing Windows on a disk with another
OS installed as a risky operation.
–
Cheers / Saludos,
Carlos E. R.
(from 12.3 x86_64 “Dartmouth” at Telcontar)
On Mon 03 Feb 2014 10:13:07 PM CST, Carlos E. R. wrote:
On 2014-02-03 22:54, malcolmlewis wrote:
> Hi
> I can select which version of Windows (Starter, Home, Professional or
> Ultimate) to install as well as which partition to install in… This
> is with an OEM Windows 7 DVD. Not an OEM Restore DVD…
Right, those do not work.
You have to try.
In any case, I would consider installing Windows on a disk with another
OS installed as a risky operation.
Hi
Nah, if using UEFI, you can have multiple ESP’s then just use the
openSUSE Rescue CD to boot in via efi and use the efibootmgr to
configure the nvram as required. In actual fact today I worked on a
Toshiba Satellite which with the factory install allows you to configure
a custom partition on where to install windows 7…
I have tried many different multiboot scenarios with windows 7 or
windows 8 along with openSUSE and SLED, no issues here. Windows 8 for
me is a factory install though, so I would have to do that first, then
windows 7, then a linux system.
–
Cheers Malcolm °¿° SUSE Knowledge Partner (Linux Counter #276890)
openSUSE 13.1 (Bottle) (x86_64) GNOME 3.10.2 Kernel 3.11.6-4-desktop
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please show your appreciation and click on the star below… Thanks!
On 2014-02-03 23:34, malcolmlewis wrote:
> Hi
> Nah, if using UEFI, you can have multiple ESP’s then just use the
> openSUSE Rescue CD to boot in via efi and use the efibootmgr to
> configure the nvram as required. In actual fact today I worked on a
> Toshiba Satellite which with the factory install allows you to configure
> a custom partition on where to install windows 7…
>
> I have tried many different multiboot scenarios with windows 7 or
> windows 8 along with openSUSE and SLED, no issues here. Windows 8 for
> me is a factory install though, so I would have to do that first, then
> windows 7, then a linux system.
Oh. Nice surprise…
But don’t manufacturers tend to supply (if they do at all) a CD/DVD that
reformats the entire disk “to factory mint condition”?
–
Cheers / Saludos,
Carlos E. R.
(from 12.3 x86_64 “Dartmouth” at Telcontar)
On Mon 03 Feb 2014 11:03:25 PM CST, Carlos E. R. wrote:
On 2014-02-03 23:34, malcolmlewis wrote:
> Hi
> Nah, if using UEFI, you can have multiple ESP’s then just use the
> openSUSE Rescue CD to boot in via efi and use the efibootmgr to
> configure the nvram as required. In actual fact today I worked on a
> Toshiba Satellite which with the factory install allows you to
> configure a custom partition on where to install windows 7…
>
> I have tried many different multiboot scenarios with windows 7 or
> windows 8 along with openSUSE and SLED, no issues here. Windows 8 for
> me is a factory install though, so I would have to do that first, then
> windows 7, then a linux system.
Oh. Nice surprise…
But don’t manufacturers tend to supply (if they do at all) a CD/DVD that
reformats the entire disk “to factory mint condition”?
Yes, I did an Acer Aspire One as well, that’s a pure factory restore,
no options. I have a DELL latitude in the queue as well, but that’s
running XP Pro, need to finish and iPhone and a Motorola Tablet
first…
And my HP 2000 with Windows 8 came with a 4 DVD restore kit, but you
can skip the applications one… but it does a complete hdd
wipe/restore.
–
Cheers Malcolm °¿° SUSE Knowledge Partner (Linux Counter #276890)
openSUSE 13.1 (Bottle) (x86_64) GNOME 3.10.2 Kernel 3.11.6-4-desktop
If you find this post helpful and are logged into the web interface,
please show your appreciation and click on the star below… Thanks!
Actually, not really, at least not most. The Factory Restore option normally returns the System to “factory mint condition”.
Some Factory Restore methods are contained in a hidden restore partition on the HD. Others are on a manufacturer-supplied CD/DVD, some of which are shipped with the unit, others of which you must order from the manufacturer.
In most cases, they will restore the Factory pre-install to the “C” partition, not affecting the other partitions, and will clean out the boot record to the MS version, keeping the partition tables intact.
However, as a precaution, to protect other partitions, this is what I do, and what I advise:
Use a partitioner that offers the option to hide partitions, then hide all partitions except for the Windows System partition. The Factory Restore will then leave those partitions alone – no disastrous accidents – and will reformat the Windows System partition, recovering the factory pre-install there.
Afterwards, use your partitioner again to unhide the other partitions.
Then, with the openSUSE Rescue CD, or with the install DVD, go in and re-install Grub2.
… and, of course, do a full system backup before doing any of this. If you have the resources, do a test recovery to a spare HD just to make sure.
On 2014-02-04 00:36, Fraser Bell wrote:
>
> robin_listas;2621907 Wrote:
>>
>> But don’t manufacturers tend to supply (if they do at all) a CD/DVD that
>> reformats the entire disk “to factory mint condition”?
>>
>
> Actually, not really, at least not most. The Factory Restore option
> normally returns the -System- to “factory mint condition”.
Those I have used are mostly HP or Compaq, which is also an HP, and they
reformat everything, partition table included. Interesting to know that
others don’t. Not my luck.
> … and, of course, do a full system backup -before- doing any of
> this. If you have the resources, do a test recovery to a spare HD just
> to make sure.
I absolutely second this 
Better have a backup, that find out too late you need one.
–
Cheers / Saludos,
Carlos E. R.
(from 12.3 x86_64 “Dartmouth” at Telcontar)
After helping a lot of people over the years, I have a list longer than both my arms why I will never purchase an HP or Compaq PC.
I am suddenly overwhelmed with pity for you, good ol’ Carlos… rotfl!
HP printers, or cameras, on the other hand, have rarely given me problems.