Booting Problems with Linux

Booting Problems with Linux

I have been formatting and updating my IDE and SATA IBM computers lately.

I have come across a booting problem with GRUB Script of Ubuntu and Knoppix.

My problem was not new.

This had been the  case for years and I have found a way out.

I will tell how to overcome this problem in a minute.

Only a few Linux distributions can detect automatically all the other Operating Systems.

Debian is the only distribution that has sorted this out at installation time.

Knoppix even though, Debian derivative thinks there is only Microsoft (Windows) there.

No other Linux distributions exist in this world for their liking or ignore others by defaulting.

It is true with Ubuntu and all the Ubuntu derivatives.

But Pinguy is the only Ubuntu derivative (version 10 and 11) which can easily detect all the operating systems in your computer.

PCLinux too ignores other Linux distributions and gives heavenly regard for Windows.

Then, if there is no windows in your system as in my case but have ntfs partition to store data like what Ihave, these distributions go into panic mode and only guess which is C or D partition in window’s terminology.

I must tell you why I use NTFS partition if I use only Linux.

That is a good question but I have my reasons.

Valid reasons.

Linus is very protective of its partitions and need root or su for access of these partions.

Only Knoppix and Puppy ignore this rule.

Linux boots these ntfs partitions as almost like junk partitions which one can fiddle around.

I store the images of all the distribution which are my favorites in NTFS partitions, which are not protected by Linux rules but easily accessible for writing to CD or DVD.

Other reason is when my home partition is chockablock I empty them to NTFS for safe keeping, (before formatting is due at the end of the year).

Coming back to booting problems, they can only GUESS ntfs' nomenclature, in spite of me making them sda1 and sda 2 when partitioning with another SMALL Debian Utility called Gparted.

Why?

Why?

Why?

Why not use a reasonable GRUB script?

My guess is that they ignore other Linux distributions just to promote only one type of Linux, that is only their distribution.

This is a bad PLOY and not in the true spirit of Linux comrade.

GRUB file is very important to be messed UP and it should not behave like Windows 8 UFI.

My solution is simple, if you have as many distribution as five to six as in my case.

Some for testing and some for looking for fancy utilities bundled with the distribution.

STEPS.

1. Install Windows if you want or Apple if you have lot of extra cash.

2. Then install Knoppix.

3. Then Install PCLinux.

4. Then last of all install Pinguy, my current favorite (apart from Puppy and Knoppix).

If you follow this method, you do not need to configure the GRUB file after installation, that can be something difficult and intimidating for a newbie.

Even though I mentioned Debian, my favorite last installation is AntiX or better still, Mepis (KDE with lot  of useful utilities) distribution.

AntiX is light weight Mepis.

So my recommendation for you if you get into trouble is to download Mepis and install it as the last distribution.

It needs two partitions one for root and one for home.

It is one of the distributions that installs very breezily.

That is the third reason for its use by me apart from its utilities which includes sweeper, a cleaning agent for junk files..