Dualbooting: Difference between revisions

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{{Warning|This Dualboot manual is intended for experienced users. You will have to manually edit partitions on your harddisk. Take adequate backup of important data before proceeding further.
If you want to avoid partitioing your existing hard disk, it may be better for you to buy an additional disk, or use [[Tutorials_and_Howtos#Virtualization|virtualization]]}}


It's assumed you have a box where you already run another operating system, and would like to be able to boot either the installed system or Alpine.
It's assumed you have a box where you already run another operating system, and would like to be able to dual boot either the installed system or Alpine Linux.  


= Prepare your hardware =
=== Complete the basic setup ===
Alpine needs a separate partition where it can be installed to. If you don't already have one free, you need to create a primary partition with enough space for your Alpine installation.
Follow the [[Installation]] steps until the [[Installation#Base_configuration|base configuration]].
i.e set up Alpine without installing to a disk.
<!-- If the "answerfile" functionality of setup-alpine is changed to permit specifying "-m none" for setup-disk, this sequence could be expressed more concisely.-->


For this, see: [[Setting_up_disks_manually#Manual_partitioning | Manual_partitioning]]
=== Identify and mount partition ===


Make note of what partition you will use for your Alpine installation. In this example we are going to install Alpine on '''/dev/sdXY'''.
To Dual boot Alpine Linux, it needs a separate partition. If you don't have a partition refer [[Setting_up_disks_manually#Manual partitioning | ''Manual partitioning'']] to create and format it.  


= Installing Alpine on an HDD partition =
{{Note| If you are using [[btrfs]] filesystem, there is no need to create a partition. Refer [[Install_Alpine_on_a_btrfs_filesystem_with_refind_as_boot_manager|btrfs tutorial]]}}.


Now it's time to install Alpine. Boot your system with a CD containing the latest Alpine Standard from [http://alpinelinux.org/downloads Downloads].
Follow the [[Setting_up_disks_manually#Custom_Layout|Hard Disk Installation using custom Layout]] to mount the chosen partition.  


== Format and mount the HDD partition ==
{{Cmd|# mount /dev/sdXY /mnt}}


First format your partition. We will need some tools for doing the formatting. After you are done the tools can be removed.
If you're using EFI, pay special attention to ESP partition. ESP partition is shared between Windows, Mac OS and most other operating systems. Make sure you create a mount point <code>/mnt/boot/efi</code>.  
{{Cmd|# mkdir -p /mnt/boot/efi}}


{{Warning|Make sure you format the right partition! The {{Path|/dev/sdXY}} is only a example. If you choose the wrong partition, your data will be gone.
Find the correct partition name for <code>esp</code> partition and mount it on the above mount point :
Make a backup first if you are unsure.}}
{{Cmd|# mount /dev/esp /mnt/boot/efi}}


{{Cmd|apk add e2fsprogs
=== Install Alpine Linux ===
mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdXY
apk del e2fsprogs}}


Then mount the newly formatted partition. After mounting, the partition will be available at {{Path|/mnt}}.
Follow the [[Setting_up_disks_manually#Custom_Layout|custom Layout based Installation ]] to install Alpine Linux on the chosen partition.
{{Cmd|mount -t ext4 /dev/sdXY /mnt}}
{{Cmd|# setup-disk -m sys /mnt}}


== Basic setup ==
Your dual boot installation can be considered complete. You be should be able to dual boot once you  [[Installation#Reboot|reboot]].  Refer [[#Configure_bootloader|configure bootloader]] section, if you would like to make additional changes.


First, set up Alpine without installing to a disk.
<!--
== Format the partition ==


To do this, either run
First format your partition. During the above [[#Create_a_Partition|partioning]] step, you would have installed the necessary formatting tool {{pkg|e2fsprogs|repo=main}}. If not, install the tool for formatting the partition.
{{Cmd|setup-alpine}}
and when to prompted "Which disks do you like to use?" make sure to answer "none". Answer "none" to the remaining prompts about storing configs and the apk cache directory.


Or, run this command sequence:
{{Cmd|# apk add e2fsprogs}}
{{Cmd|setup-timezone
setup-alpine -q
setup-sshd
setup-ntp}}


See [[setup-alpine]] for more details.
{{Warning|Make sure you format the right partition! The {{Path|/dev/sdXY}} is only a example. If you choose the wrong partition, your data will be gone. Make a backup first if you are unsure.}}


{{Cmd|# mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdXY}}


<!-- If the "answerfile" functionality of setup-alpine is changed to permit specifying "-m none" for setup-disk, this sequence could be expressed more concisely.-->
== Mount the partition ==
 
Mount the newly formatted partition. After mounting, the partition will be available at {{Path|/mnt}}.
== Install Alpine ==


Now it's time to copy the prepared system to the prepared partition(s) that were mounted below /mnt.
{{Cmd|# mount -t ext4 /dev/sdXY /mnt}}


== Install Alpine on the mounted partition ==


=== In Alpine 2.2.3 or newer ===
Now install Alpine Linux using the [[Alpine_setup_scripts#setup-disk|setup-disk]] script to the formatted partition(s) that was mounted on /mnt.


{{Cmd|setup-disk -m sys /mnt}}
{{Cmd|# setup-disk -m sys /mnt}}
See [[Alpine_setup_scripts#setup-disk|setup-disk]] for more details.


The above command would have installed [[Bootloaders#GRUB|grub]] and {{pkg|grub-efi|repo=main}} and no further configuration should be required. 
-->


<!---
{{Tip|If you use extlinux (default) and didn't create a separate boot partition, ({{Path|/boot}} resides on the root partition {{Path|/}}).  
{{Tip|If you use extlinux (default) and didn't create a separate boot partition, ({{Path|/boot}} resides on the root partition {{Path|/}}).  
You might need to adjust the paths to the boot files in {{Path|/boot/extlinux.conf}}, eg.:
You might need to adjust the paths to the boot files in {{Path|/boot/extlinux.conf}}, eg.:
Line 68: Line 72:


Check that the <code>LINUX</code> and <code>INITRD</code> paths actually point to the files shipped in your Alpine Linux release.
Check that the <code>LINUX</code> and <code>INITRD</code> paths actually point to the files shipped in your Alpine Linux release.
}}
}}
--->


=== With older Alpine versions up to 2.2.3 ===
=== Configure bootloader ===


If you're using an earlier version of Alpine Linux, you'll need to install the files and [[Bootloaders|bootloader]] manually.
There are different [[Bootloaders|bootloaders]] to get a boot menu that allows selecting the operating system to boot. It is easiest to simply install and use [[Bootloaders#rEFInd|rEFInd]] boot manager for dual boot between Alpine Linux and Windows.  


{{Tip|If you're using a version of Alpine Linux older than 2.2.0, replace {{Path|/etc/apk/world}} in the last line with {{Path|/var/lib/apk/world}}}}
Otherwise, one may adjust the bootloader that has already been installed by the other operating system. 


{{Cmd|lbu package - {{!}} tar -C /mnt -xzf -
==== Dual/Multiboot with Linux ====
apk add --root /mnt --initdb --repositories-file /etc/apk/repositories --keys-dir \
The following example is given to give you some ideas for adjusting [[Bootloaders#GRUB|grub]] to boot Alpine.
  /etc/apk/keys $(cat /etc/apk/world) acct linux-hardened alpine-base}}
 
Your system is now on {{Path|/dev/sdXY}}.
 
== Configuring the bootloader ==
 
 
There are different ways to get a boot menu that allows selecting the operating system to boot.
 
It is easiest on (U)EFI based hardware platforms, where one may simply install the <code>rEFInd</code> boot menu, as explained in [[Bootloaders]].
 
 
 
Otherwise, one may adjust the bootloader that has already been installed (by the other operating system).
 
 
 
Because bootloaders vary, you'll need to figure out how to make yours boot your Alpine install.
 
Hopefully you can get some ideas from the following example, adjusting Grub2 to boot Alpine:


Reboot your system ''(start Ubuntu)''.
Reboot your system ''(start Ubuntu)''.
Line 104: Line 90:


Take notes of the UUID of the partition you are planning to use:
Take notes of the UUID of the partition you are planning to use:
{{Cmd|sudo blkid /dev/sdXY}}
{{Cmd|# blkid /dev/sdXY}}


Start editing the grub2 configuration  
Start editing the grub2 configuration  
{{Cmd|gksudo gedit /etc/grub.d/40_custom}}
{{Cmd|# gedit /etc/grub.d/40_custom}}


I edited the file to look something like this:
I edited the file to look something like this:
Line 121: Line 107:
{{Note|The root, linux, initrd, and UUID values mentioned above should be replaced with those of your system, e.g. the UUID you got when running the 'blkid' command.}}
{{Note|The root, linux, initrd, and UUID values mentioned above should be replaced with those of your system, e.g. the UUID you got when running the 'blkid' command.}}
Finally the configuration changes need to be applied to the grub2 bootloader:
Finally the configuration changes need to be applied to the grub2 bootloader:
{{Cmd|update-grub2}}
{{Cmd|update-grub}}


Now it's time to test. Reboot your box.
Now it's time to test. Reboot your box.
{{Note|You might need to press SHIFT when booting your box in order to see the grub-menu.}}
{{Note|You might need to press SHIFT when booting your box in order to see the grub-menu.}}


== Windows ==
==== Dualboot with Windows ====
For Windows partitions to be detected with grub, you need `os-prober` and `grub-mount` installed at the time grub-mkconfig runs.
 
{{Note| The following needs to be tested}}
To upgrade the grub installation, the efi directory must be mounted in /boot/efi/. 
To know in which partition the efi is, we must examine the partition table, so if your main disk is /dev/sda then.
 
{{Cmd|# fdisk -l /dev/sda}}
<pre>
Device            Start        End  Sectors  Size Type
/dev/sda1          2048    309247    307200  150M EFI System
</pre>
{{Cmd|# mkdir /boot/efi}}
{{Cmd|# mount /dev/sda1 /boot/efi/}}
{{Cmd|# apk add efibootmgr}} (If your system supports UEFI. Most PC's from 2010, support UEFI)
Install grub
<pre>
# grub-install –root-directory=/mnt
</pre>
After grub re-installation, unmount efi partition:
{{Cmd|# umount /boot/efi/}}
 
== References ==
* [https://brittanymitchell.co/index.php/2024/03/06/dual-boot-windows-11-and-alpine-linux-part-2/ Dual Boot Windows 11 and Alpine Linux]
* [https://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/405472/cannot-find-efi-directory-issue-with-grub-install/679800#679800 Mount EFI]
* [[Install_Alpine_on_a_btrfs_filesystem_with_refind_as_boot_manager|Dual boot on a btrfs filesystem]]


For Windows partitions to be detected with grub, you need `os-prober` and `grub-mount` installed at the time grub-mkconfig runs.
[[Category:Installation]]
[[Category:Installation]]

Latest revision as of 15:10, 17 September 2024

Warning: This Dualboot manual is intended for experienced users. You will have to manually edit partitions on your harddisk. Take adequate backup of important data before proceeding further. If you want to avoid partitioing your existing hard disk, it may be better for you to buy an additional disk, or use virtualization


It's assumed you have a box where you already run another operating system, and would like to be able to dual boot either the installed system or Alpine Linux.

Complete the basic setup

Follow the Installation steps until the base configuration. i.e set up Alpine without installing to a disk.

Identify and mount partition

To Dual boot Alpine Linux, it needs a separate partition. If you don't have a partition refer Manual partitioning to create and format it.

Note: If you are using btrfs filesystem, there is no need to create a partition. Refer btrfs tutorial

.

Follow the Hard Disk Installation using custom Layout to mount the chosen partition.

# mount /dev/sdXY /mnt

If you're using EFI, pay special attention to ESP partition. ESP partition is shared between Windows, Mac OS and most other operating systems. Make sure you create a mount point /mnt/boot/efi.

# mkdir -p /mnt/boot/efi

Find the correct partition name for esp partition and mount it on the above mount point :

# mount /dev/esp /mnt/boot/efi

Install Alpine Linux

Follow the custom Layout based Installation to install Alpine Linux on the chosen partition.

# setup-disk -m sys /mnt

Your dual boot installation can be considered complete. You be should be able to dual boot once you reboot. Refer configure bootloader section, if you would like to make additional changes.



Configure bootloader

There are different bootloaders to get a boot menu that allows selecting the operating system to boot. It is easiest to simply install and use rEFInd boot manager for dual boot between Alpine Linux and Windows.

Otherwise, one may adjust the bootloader that has already been installed by the other operating system.

Dual/Multiboot with Linux

The following example is given to give you some ideas for adjusting grub to boot Alpine.

Reboot your system (start Ubuntu).

Start a 'terminal' (ALT-F2 + "terminal" + [Run])

Take notes of the UUID of the partition you are planning to use:

# blkid /dev/sdXY

Start editing the grub2 configuration

# gedit /etc/grub.d/40_custom

I edited the file to look something like this:

Contents of /etc/grub.d/40_custom

#!/bin/sh echo "Adding Alpine" >&2 cat << EOF menuentry "Alpine Linux" { set root=(hd0,3) linux /boot/vmlinuz-lts root=UUID=8de6973a-4a8c-40ed-b710-c4e2b42d6b7a modules=sd-mod,usb-storage,ext4 quiet initrd /boot/initramfs-lts } EOF
Note: The root, linux, initrd, and UUID values mentioned above should be replaced with those of your system, e.g. the UUID you got when running the 'blkid' command.

Finally the configuration changes need to be applied to the grub2 bootloader:

update-grub

Now it's time to test. Reboot your box.

Note: You might need to press SHIFT when booting your box in order to see the grub-menu.

Dualboot with Windows

For Windows partitions to be detected with grub, you need `os-prober` and `grub-mount` installed at the time grub-mkconfig runs.

Note: The following needs to be tested

To upgrade the grub installation, the efi directory must be mounted in /boot/efi/. To know in which partition the efi is, we must examine the partition table, so if your main disk is /dev/sda then.

# fdisk -l /dev/sda

Device             Start        End   Sectors   Size Type
/dev/sda1           2048     309247    307200   150M EFI System

# mkdir /boot/efi

# mount /dev/sda1 /boot/efi/

# apk add efibootmgr

(If your system supports UEFI. Most PC's from 2010, support UEFI)

Install grub

# grub-install –root-directory=/mnt

After grub re-installation, unmount efi partition:

# umount /boot/efi/

References