Using alternative methods to boot from different drives without relying on BIOS.
Using alternative methods to boot from different drives without relying on BIOS.
I have two installations on separate disks, and both function properly if I navigate to BIOS to choose the boot device. One is my daily driver, the other is used less frequently. I was curious about an alternative to repeatedly selecting the drive via BIOS—especially since I tend to lose track of time and forget to press Delete before entering it. I’m not in a position to swap them out or change the setup. I just wanted to know if there’s a straightforward method for quickly selecting one without going through BIOS each time.
The top choice I encounter is GRUB. An other option is RodsBooks if you prefer something different from Grub.
I briefly looked into both options, but since I don't use Linux, I'm unsure how they'd function on Windows. They seem designed for Linux environments based on their structure. Do either of these support running on Windows machines? I prefer switching between different Windows versions with separate accounts and keys instead of juggling OS types.
I've tried both methods to launch Windows, but I need a Linux distribution to set up GRUB/Refind. A workaround is using a minimal Linux partition for installation purposes. Another approach follows the guidance on this forum: https://superuser.com/questions/381285/h...-windows-7. These options seem simpler and more accessible if you're unfamiliar with Linux.
I recently purchased a Raspberry Pi to set up Pi-Hole and experiment with it. I already have a Linux distribution installed, which makes installing another OS relatively straightforward. After getting familiar with the Pi, I expect it will involve some Linux learning, but it should serve as a solid foundation.
Great! If you manage to navigate the installation steps (just like with Windows), that should cover it. Most Linux setups will handle grub automatically, scanning for other operating systems and adding them to the menu. But I won’t stop you from reading more if you’re curious.
Furthermore, I've experienced inconsistent results when Windows attempts to manage everything independently via the Windows Boot Manager, especially with multiple drives installed. These configurations *are* meant to recognize several installations and provide a menu resembling the advanced recovery interface on startup to choose the desired operating system. Nonetheless, I haven't used it deliberately or consistently. My encounters have been limited to upgrading by cloning a drive and switching one at a time (to retain a backup of the original), so my knowledge is restricted to "turn it off quickly." If you prefer a more gradual approach with GRUB/Linux and need a quicker fix, this method might suit you.
NTLDR supports booting kernels from various drives. Adding a specific line in boot.ini accomplishes this. [boot loader] timeout=5 default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1) Windows [operating systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1) Windows="Windows XP Gold" /fastdetect multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1) Windows="Windows Server 2019" /fastdetect Warning: this is just an example, not to be copied directly.