Centos 7 ArcaOS Dual Boot

By Richard Dunkle

Dual boot ArcaOS and Centos Linux 7
This document will show how to install ArcaOS and Centos 7 on the same hard drive. The boot selection will be controlled by the AirBoot (Arca boot manager). We assume a common desktop pc with SATA hard drive and DVD.

Basic assumptions:
 * your hard drive is empty (already wiped clean) with no partitions.
 * you are familiar with installing ArcaOS and Centos
 * you have one hard drive, at least 48 GB

The main thing to remember is to only partition the hard drive with the ArcaOS tools. If Centos adds or changes partitions you will have a mess.

Boot off the ArcaOS DVD. Select: System Management



Select: Disk |  Disk Utility



Since the disk is wiped ArcaOS needs to write the LVM information.
 * Click: Fix Problems




 * Click: Close



The system will shutdown. Restart with Ctrl+Alt+Del



Boot up and go into the System Management menu again.
 * Select: Disk  | Manage Volumes (Graphical)




 * Click: Volume  |  Create  | Standard | Next



Use the drive letter C and name it: arca, then click:  Next



Make the size 15000 MB, uncheck use primary partition, and click: Allocate from end of free space, then click: Finish



Create drive D 15000 MB (name: linux), drive E 2000MB (name: swap). Use the same options: uncheck use primary partition, and click: Allocate from end of free space. There is still free space if later you decide to add another drive. Drive C is Arca Your screen should now look like this:



Save changes: System | Save Changes

Install the AirBoot. Click: System  |  Boot Menu  |  Install/Update



Boot menu is now installed, when you click: Yes



Format the three disks. Select: Disk |  Format Disk



The C (for ArcaOS) will be JFS format, volume label:  arca, do not need any options. :



The D (for Centos) will be FAT32, volume label:  centos



The E (for Centos swap) will be FAT32, volume label:  swap



Shutdown the system. Select: ArcaOS  | Shutdown



At this point you can now install ArcaOS as normal.

Install to the C drive

Note: It is easier to control the AirBoot boot manager by turning OFF the timer



We are now ready to install Centos from DVD or usb stick.

Use the BIOS hot key to interrupt the normal boot and boot only from DVD or usb stick.

For this install we can select Server with GUI



The next step is partitioning.

This is a critical step that will wipe out ArcaOS if you do not select the correct Manual Partitioning

Click: Installation Destination



Select: I will configure partitioning. Click: Done



Manual Partitioning dialog. Select:Standard Partition.
 * Notice the two Centos partitions we will use:
 * sda5 (swap partition)
 * sda6 (Centos operating system)



Select sda5, change File System to: swap and check: reformat



Select sda6, Mount Point: /,  change File System to: ext4 and check: reformat. Then click: Done



On the next dialog, make sure the correct partitions are selected: sda5 and sda6. Then click: Accept Changes



This dialog should now show: Custom partitioning. Click: Begin Installation



Installation will start, go ahead and create the root password and user creation



After files are copied you will see the Completed dialog. Click: Reboot



The Centos install will have overwritten the AirBoot program.

This is normal and easy to correct.

Centos will now boot from your hard drive



The initial setup dialog will appear. Click: License Information



After accepting the license, click: Finish Configuration



You should then see the graphical login screen



Then go ahead and power off Centos



Now insert the ArcaOS DVD or usb stick and boot from that media.

Follow the steps to get to the System Management menu.

Then click: Disk  |  Manage Volumes(Graphical). You will see the three partitions



Click:  System  |  Boot menu  |  Install/Update



There will be an install dialog. Click: Yes



Click: System  |  Exit

Shutdown the machine. Remove ArcaOS install media, insert the Centos install media.

Boot from the Centos install media.

Select: Troubleshooting



Select: Rescue a CentOS system





The screen will now get shell a prompt: sh-4.2#

Enter in the following commands:

mount /dev/sda6 /mnt

mount -o bind /dev /mnt/dev

mount -o bind /proc /mnt/proc

mount -o bind /sys  /mnt/sys

mount -t tmpfs /mnt/tmpfs /mnt/tmp

chroot /mnt

grub2-install --force /dev/sda6

grub2-mkconfig -o /boot/grub2/grub.cf


 * there will be a warning for the grub2-install command. It is benign.



Exit the shell, type: control d.  Then enter:  reboot

Remove the Centos boot media (usb stick or dvd).

The system should now boot using the ArcaOS AirBoot.



Press: F10 to go into AirBoot setup. Label the partition 02/01 as: Centos



Press: Escape. Save AirBoot settings, press: F10



Press: Y,  to save



You should now have the completed dual boot system