Installing and Booting Windows XP on a Logical Partition

WARNING: Although this post is about Windows, the instruction involves the use of Linux software, such as GParted partitioning tool and GRUB boot loader. If you are not familiar with these Linux tools, please be careful when following the instructions below. I'll add non-Linux instructions to this post later.

You can download Live CD's containing GParted from the following locations:

• Parted Magic
  
• SystemRescueCD
  

Copying Windows XP to a Logical Partition using GParted

It is possible to boot Windows XP from a logical partition. First, install Windows XP to a primary partition. Boot your PC with Parted Magic or SystemRescueCD. Start GParted and copy the Windows XP partition to an empty space in the extended partition. You may have to create an extended partition first and then reserve a space inside the extended partition large enough for the new logical partition.

Fixing BOOT.INI for the Windows XP logical partition

Don't reboot yet. Mount the new logical partition containing a copy of Windows XP. To do so, start an Xterm and type something like:

mount -t ntfs-3g /dev/sda5 /mnt
vim /mnt/boot.ini

The BOOT.INI file should be modified so that it points to the new logical partition. Read this article to learn about its format.

[boot loader]
timeout=0
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(5)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(5)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect /noexecute=optin

Save the BOOT.INI file and reboot.

Changing the Drive Letters with Windows Registry

Reboot with the Parted Magic or SystemResueCD again. When you're at the GRUB boot menu, press C to exit the menu and manually enter GRUB commands. You need to boot to the XP logical partition:

root (hd0,4)
chainloader +1
boot

Right after entering the boot commands, press and hold the F8 key. You'll be shown the Windows XP boot menu. Choose "Safe Mode" to boot to the Windows safe mode. Once inside the safe mode, change the drive letters with the Windows registry editor (regedt32.exe). Reboot to the XP logical partition using GRUB, this time in the normal mode. Check if Windows XP works normally. You can make sure that you're really using the logical partition by reading the C:\BOOT.INI file.