Installation on existing partition

spykor

I am trying to install KaOS 2015.06 onto an existing partition (/dev/sda3) on a SSD disk as dual boot with Windows 7.

The system (even though is brand new, is BIOS based -not UEFI- when it comes to booting.

I must make clear that I do not want to mess around with the Windows installation. I do not want to replace the Windows bootloader in MBR, so the Linux bootloader must be onto the Linux partiotion (/ or /boot) and I will choose the Linux for booting by using the EasyBCD tool to include the Linux in the Windows bootloader selections.

I choose the third option (Replace a partition) and when I start the process the system responds with "The bootloader will be installed on /dev/sr0p2". What does it mean? What partition is the /dev/sr0p2 designation? I do ntot want to continue and destroy the Windows installation by accident.

I have looked into the installation instructions but there is nothing about this case there.

Any help will be appreciated.

demm

To control where the bootloader is installed you need to select the last option "Manual partitioning".

spykor

First of all, the "manual partitioning" option doesn't give you control over where you can install the boot loader anyone. Second, my question is other. It has to do with my choosing the option "replace a partition" and the system responds with the comment "the boot loader will be installed on /dev/sr0p2". What is the partition /dev/sr0p2?

gohlip

Sun Solaris partition.

If you have not formatted any partition to Sun, then most likely the swap partition.

demm

The manual partitioning certainly gives you the option to install the bootloader wherever you want. See the options in the screenshot below (only "do not install" is not available for you yet).

spykor

Thanks a lot demm for your response, but as I have already mentioned, I am trying to install KaOS onto the 3rd (/dev/sda3) partition of a SSD disk that already has Windows 7 on it (partitions /dev/sda1=reserved, /dev/sda2=windows) as a dual boot system. So, if I choose the manual partition option the system does not give me a choice to choose the placement of the Linux bootloader. I will try to get a screen print and post it here. That is why I tried the "replace partition" option and would rather not use a whole disk just to install KaOS.

thanks again

demm

If that options is grayed out for you, that means you are using an UEFI install, not BIOS. Are you sure that is your intention? In your first post here you mention installing to BIOS, so make sure to boot into BIOS (legacy) mode. If your Windows install is in BIOS, you need to match your Linux install with it.

spykor

@demm, you might have a point there (UEFI boot), because my system choose automatically the booting type (BIOS or UEFI). But I am almost certain that I installed Windows 7 (I built the system myself) in BIOS mode (the SSD disk is formatted as MBR disk).

I will try to boot the KaOS DVD in BIOS mode if I can and see what goes on.

thanks for your remarks

spykor

@demm, OK, I tried what you suggested (boot DVD in BIOS mode) and it worked fine. The Installer gave me the option to choose where to place the bootloader. But...the installation failed! KaOS could not be installed because the installer could not decompress the kernel! Weird! So, I decided that I am going to give up on KaOS for now, until it gets into a more mature state. I'll go for another Linux distro.

Thanks for all your help guys.

demm

No need to read further to answer some questions if no longer interested in installing KaOS.

Your kernel error points to broken install media, minimum info needed in case you want further help, is:

Did you check the md5sum of the ISO?

How did you create the install media? For that, did you follow the instructions on the download page to use supported means?

Just curious for this one, but how is it a distros fault (too immature as stated) that you choose to boot in UEFI mode, while your install goal needed BIOS mode?

spykor

@demm, sorry my friend. I didn't want to offend you in any way, but, I always believed -since I am of the trade, meaning IT professional- that apps, programs, OSes, etc. should be made for idiots, not for experts. Nobody should be asked to read 200 pages of manuals and instructions just to install a software onto his/her computer. The program itself should provide the necessary protections, comments and instructions to help the would be user into installing it. That is what I mean by saying "mature". I don't have to guess what the developer was thinking when he/she was making the "Installer" or the particular program. Especially when it comes to "stable" products. WTF stable and mature OS is one, when it does not warn you that it boots into UEFI by default? My computer's BIOS boots each media automatically (switches automatically) into whatever the media is having as 1st choice. So, had I known in advance that KaOS live DVD has UEFI boot as default I would have pressed F12 -like I did after you informed me and thank you for that- to choose SATA dvd boot instead of UEFI dvd boot. But, my point is that I should not have to resort into digging out the information from user help BBs or forums or blogs, etc. but the info should have been provided to me by the installer or the system's installation instructions clear and concise.

Thanks again for you help and patience.

spykor

@demm, for the record, md5sum check out fine. So, it's not a problem of the downloaded iso file

demm

......when it does not warn you that it boots into UEFI by default?

There are you are wrong, the ISO does not set a default, that is entirely up to your UEFI-BIOS. And of course just about all manufacturers set their boards to boot into the modern UEFI boot option as first option if found.

I suspected this thinking, that is why asking. Trying to make sure correct info is available in this forum for those who look for answers.