Windows

If you have Windows installed, and you set up enough space to install the OpenSolaris OS, the installation should be straightforward. All versions of the OpenSolaris OS release use the GRUB bootloader. These OpenSolaris releases recognize Windows and ensure that the Windows partitions remain unchanged by default. When the OpenSolaris installation is finished, the GRUB menu gives you the option to boot either the Windows system or the OpenSolaris system.

If you are using VMware, see Getting Started With OpenSolaris Using VMware.

Linux, or Windows and Linux

If you have Linux installed, or Linux and Windows installed, and you are currently booting through GRUB, save and print out your /boot/grub/menu.lst GRUB menu file from the Linux system before installing the OpenSolaris OS. You must replace this information in the /boot/grub/menu.lst file when you finish booting. See grub(5) man page.

Note - If you are installing the OpenSolaris OS on a multiboot system that also contains the Linux OS, the Solaris partition must precede the Linux swap partition.

Solaris 10 OS

The installer cannot be used to multiboot the OpenSolaris OS. However, the installer can be used to replace instances of Solaris 10 1/06 and later, and instances of Solaris Express, in an existing multiboot Solaris system.

Extended Partitions

If you have another OS on an extended partition, the existing extended partition is not changed and is not lost during an OpenSolaris release installation. Existing extended partitions are not visible during the OpenSolaris release installation, but the primary fdisk partition in which the extended partition resides is visible. No data in these partitions is lost due to the installation. The OS on an extended partition is not displayed on the GRUB menu. To update the GRUB menu, see the GRUB overview at x86: Administering the GRUB Bootloader. See also menu.lst file specifics at x86: Booting a Solaris System with GRUB.