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<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8' ?>
<!DOCTYPE article PUBLIC "-//OASIS//DTD DocBook XML V4.5//EN" "http://www.oasis-open.org/docbook/xml/4.5/docbookx.dtd" [
<!ENTITY % BOOK_ENTITIES SYSTEM "Fedora_Multiboot_Guide.ent">
%BOOK_ENTITIES;
]>
<section id="multiboot-introduction">
<title>Introduction</title>
<para>
Fedora &PRODVER; can be used as the only operating system on your computer, or you can <firstterm>dual boot</firstterm> Fedora with another operating system. Fedora can enable selection of other options at boot, often with little to no user configuration. Systems that can boot more than two operating systems are referred to as <firstterm>multiboot</firstterm> systems.
</para>
<para>
Installing Fedora on a system where another operating system is installed requires <emphasis>unallocated</emphasis> drive space. <xref linkend="freespace" /> explains options for creating this free space.
</para>
<para>
When your system starts, it first performs self tests, then loads a bootloader, <application>GRUB</application>. GRUB provides a menu so you can select the Fedora kernel or other operating system you would like to boot, and GRUBs configuration file stores options and settings required for initial booting of the selected operating system. Read <xref linkend="GRUB" /> for more information on GRUB.
</para>
<para>
Changing Fedora's boot options can be helpful, especially when troubleshooting. <xref linkend="GRUB-customizing" /> explains how to change these options once or permanently.
</para>
<para>
The system's firmware allows basic configuration, performs initial startup, initializes hardware, and brings up the bootloader. Until recently, this firmware was referred to as the <firstterm>BIOS</firstterm>, or <literal>Basic Input Output System</literal>, which is described in <xref linkend="BOOT-basics" />. Newer systems, such as those sold with Windows 8, use a newer type called <firstterm>UEFI</firstterm> or <literal>Universal Extensible Firmware Interface</literal>, which is described in <xref linkend="BOOT-basics" />
</para>
<para>
In most cases, the Fedora installer will recognize other operating systems on your computer and create boot menu entries for them. If an operating system such as Windows is installed <emphasis>after</emphasis> Fedora, GRUB may be overwritten and require reinstallation. Some circumstances, such as missing menu entries, require refreshing of the menu entries. These tasks are explained in <xref linkend="BIOS" /> or <xref linkend="UEFI" />
</para>
<para>
The Guide also covers concerns regarding booting of specific operating systems. For information regarding booting of Fedora with Windows 8, refer to <xref linkend="UEFI-win" />. To learn about using Fedora on Apple hardware, read <xref linkend="UEFI-apple" />
</para>
<warning>
<title>Using <systemitem class="username">Root</systemitem> Safely</title>
<para>
Many of the procedures in this guide involve editing of files or execution of commands that can only be performed as <systemitem class="username">root</systemitem>. The <systemitem class="username">root</systemitem> account should be used with educated caution and <emphasis>only when required</emphasis>. Your system can break or fail to boot if the account is misused.
</para>
<para>
If your normal user account is configured as an administrator, you can use <command>sudo</command> to enter your user password and execute privileged commands:
<screen>
<command>[fedorauser@localhost ~]$ sudo <command></command>
[sudo] password for fedorauser:
</screen>
</para>
<para>
You can also open a root shell using the root password <command>su</command>. The hyphen ( - ) in the example is important because it ensures that you will work in a root environment, and not act on normal user files with root privileges.
<screen>
<command>[fedorauser@localhost ~]$ su -</command>
Password:
[root@localhost ~]#
</screen>
</para>
<para>
The <literal>root prompt</literal> is always a hash ( # ) and a normal user prompt is always a dollar sign ( $ ).
</para>
</warning>
</section>
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