Bug#709843: Partition PBR must always have an OS bootloader (grub)
On Sun, May 26, 2013 at 12:35:33AM +0200, André Pirard wrote:
> Package: debian-installer
>
> Short, practical, typical story: Mr X followed good advices.
> - He installed the so nice and easy to understand GAG multi-boot
> - He installed the so nice Debian system or derivative
> He followed the "normal", by default installation options and Debian
> wiped out GAG.
> He reinstalled GAG but he could not configure it to boot Debian.
> He found dozens and dozens of even worse horror stories: many people had
> lost access to their running Debian system after many hours of service.
>
> Conclusion #1 : a partition containing a Debian (or any) system MUST
> ALWAYS contain an OS bootloader (Grub) activated by loading the PBR even
> if (in addition to) another means to boot Debian is initially used, so that:
> - Debian booting can be restored by normal booting methods and tools
> - Debian can continue to boot if the partition is copied (to another drive)
> - etc.
Not all filesystems allow that.
Of course you are allowed to create a dedicated partition for the
bootloader, mount it as /boot/grub and flag it bootable and install
grub there. Of course UEFI systems booted in UEFI mode would already
use a dedicated boot partition for the boot loaders.
> Conclusion #2: installing the Grub OS bootloader on the MBR is a bad
> idea: one cannot have each kind of systems on a disk install its own
> different OS bootloader on the same MBR and erase the others.
> If multi-boot or booting a logical partition is needed, an independent,
> graphical and easy to use program like GAG is ideal.
> The Debian liveCD should have an option to install one or repair it (in
> start menu or during installation).
> The only hindrance of GAG is that is must be configured by moving icons
> to its main window before working.
> It would be much easier if the main window were pre-populated with all
> icons for every partitions, with options to modify an icon, erase it,
> reorder it or move it aside (test boot, reset PC, configure and save
> what has just been tested, loop)
For most users it is the best place for a boot loader.
Most OSs you can install do this. Debian asks if you want to install
to the MBR. Windows just does it.
--
Len Sorensen
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