1

I have a computer with windows 7 installed. I'm sharing it with other people that don't accept a boot screen where you choose between windows and Ubuntu, but I want to be able to run Ubuntu from an internal drive.

Is there a way for me to install Ubuntu on a HDD partition without tampering with the existing boot procedure at all, and having a bootable USB thumb-drive that lets me boot up Ubuntu?

Please take into consideration that it's not an option to first install Ubuntu and then restoring the MBR from some sort of backup, since the other users of the computer in question are quite paranoid.

kiri
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Buhb
  • 113

2 Answers2

4

You could install Ubuntu without overwriting the MBR, and then boot it using SuperGrub2 USB. That said, taking in consideration the other users, that route might prove an Indiana Jones kind of adventure for you. Dealing with partitions and installing OSs is never bulletproof, things can go wrong in many ways.

I'd recommend a VirtualBox route instead, you don't have to modify partitions, deal with bootloaders or burn CDs/USBs. If something goes wrong, just delete the VM.

mikewhatever
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2

Great explanation of grub2 options on ubuntu forums here.

The options you're interested in contain the words HIDDEN, WAIT, and DEFAULT.
You want to install grub, but change some settings: 

GRUB_DEFAULT=0
#Change the previous 0 to the ID of the windows install
GRUB_HIDDEN_TIMEOUT=1
GRUB_HIDDEN_TIMEOUT_QUIET=true
#GRUB_TIMEOUT=10

To make windows the default and make sure they don't notice grub unless they're leaning on the shift key.

RobotHumans
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