I've been using Grub4DOS for years for multi booting and for booting ISOs and it's been great, but really I would prefer to use the Windows BCD for these same functions if that's possible. At present I've installed the free version of EasyBCD 2.2 to get some idea of what may be possible.
Here's the existing Grub4DOS menu entry for Win 8 -
and here's one for booting an ISO -
So basically with Grub4DOS I'm hiding and unhiding partitions; setting partitions Active; and invoking the appropriate bootloader.
Can these functions be performed in EasyBCD? Quickly reading through the menus and options I'm not seeing it but I'm sure that's just me.
Addendum
Right, I'm finding my way around a bit now and can see how I could set up dual or multiple boots of Windows OSs, so I can now refine my question a little -
1 - With my Grub4DOS bootloader every installed OS is completely isolated from all of the others, achieved by hiding and unhiding partitions at bootup. Can this be done with EasyBCD or will all partitions/OSs always be visible whichever OS is booted, with the inevitable swapping of drive letters?
2 - I want to be able to boot into a Puppy Linux ISO stored on the hard disk. Is this possible?
3 - I want to be able to boot into Acronis, Win 7 PE and Partition Wizard bootable ISOs stored on the hard disk. Possible?
Any other tips/guidance/warnings for an EasyBCD newbie welcome
Addendum
Ha! Reading on, NeoGrub is effectively my existing Grub4DOS bootloader incorporated into EasyBCD. Haven't actually attempted anything with EasyBCD yet but NeoGrub looks like it ticks all my boxes - theoretically anyway :scared:
Addendum
Success! And a lot easier than expected. Now dual booting Win 7 and NeoGrub, and via NeoGrub I can boot the Puppy Linux ISO stored on the hard disk. The rest should now be straightforward and I'm really pleased at being able to do all of this without touching the MBR. Grub4DOS used on its own does create a non-standard MBR.
Here's the existing Grub4DOS menu entry for Win 8 -
Code:
title Windows 8
root (hd0,0)
makeactive
# Hide 2nd and 3rd partitions, unhide first partition
hide (hd0,1)
hide (hd0,2)
unhide (hd0,0)
chainloader /bootmgr
and here's one for booting an ISO -
Code:
title ATI 2013
unhide (hd0,0)
unhide (hd0,1)
unhide (hd0,2)
map --mem (hd0,4)/ISO/ATI_2013.5551.iso (hd32)
map --hook
chainloader (hd32)
boot
So basically with Grub4DOS I'm hiding and unhiding partitions; setting partitions Active; and invoking the appropriate bootloader.
Can these functions be performed in EasyBCD? Quickly reading through the menus and options I'm not seeing it but I'm sure that's just me.
Addendum
Right, I'm finding my way around a bit now and can see how I could set up dual or multiple boots of Windows OSs, so I can now refine my question a little -
1 - With my Grub4DOS bootloader every installed OS is completely isolated from all of the others, achieved by hiding and unhiding partitions at bootup. Can this be done with EasyBCD or will all partitions/OSs always be visible whichever OS is booted, with the inevitable swapping of drive letters?
2 - I want to be able to boot into a Puppy Linux ISO stored on the hard disk. Is this possible?
3 - I want to be able to boot into Acronis, Win 7 PE and Partition Wizard bootable ISOs stored on the hard disk. Possible?
Any other tips/guidance/warnings for an EasyBCD newbie welcome
Addendum
Ha! Reading on, NeoGrub is effectively my existing Grub4DOS bootloader incorporated into EasyBCD. Haven't actually attempted anything with EasyBCD yet but NeoGrub looks like it ticks all my boxes - theoretically anyway :scared:
Addendum
Success! And a lot easier than expected. Now dual booting Win 7 and NeoGrub, and via NeoGrub I can boot the Puppy Linux ISO stored on the hard disk. The rest should now be straightforward and I'm really pleased at being able to do all of this without touching the MBR. Grub4DOS used on its own does create a non-standard MBR.