[RobD]

Here is how I did a triple boot machine, after trying all the other methods on the site. I went with Win7RC, Ubuntu, and OSX. I gave up on the GUID partition map and went with the old standby MBR partitioning, and that was the key to getting it all working. I was fortunate enough for Dell to send me a 64GB SSD for a warranty replacement of my 32GB SSD when it died, thus giving me even more desire for a triple-boot unit.

NOTE: This guide is in a very rough form but I will edit it to fill in details. It appears several of you are trying to do the same as me, so I thought rough was better than waiting. Maybe this will become Sticky material in a few days.

For prep work, I have several USB keys created. For some of them you could use installation CD/DVD media.

4GB Key #1: Windows 7 built using the thread Win7 on USB in 4 easy steps. This could be the DVD instead.
1GB Key #2: Ubuntu Netbook Remix 9.04. You could just use the CD.
8GB Key #3: MacOS 10.5.0 modified for MBR install and built using the fine instructions in the DellEFI Guide v3 thread by mechdrew. There is a thread that tells how to edit the OSInstall.mpkg to allow for MBR installations.

I partitioned my 64GB drive using diskpart on the Win7 media. I did them in this order, using an MBR partition format (if you use OSX DiskUtility):
Partition 1: 24GB FAT32 for my Windows 7
Partition 2: 24GB FAT32 for my OSX
Partition 3: 8GB FAT32 for my Ubuntu

Operating System #1: Windows 7
Boot the Win7 key and install Windows 7 to the first partition. You have to format the partition in the setup so it becomes NTFS. I see no reason why this couldn't be XP.

Operating System #2: Ubuntu
Boot the Ubuntu key and install Ubuntu. Pick manual partitioning and select the 3rd partition for use, formatted as ext3 and mount point is "/". In step 7 of the install, select the Advanced tab and install the boot loader to /dev/sda3.

Operating System #3: OSX
Use the DellEFI Guide v3 to install the operating system. It's an excellent guide!

When you are done, you be using the Mac Chameleon has your boot loader. If it gets wiped out, it is easy to reinstall by booting from the OSX install USB and getting back into OSX to re-run DellEFI.

Hope this helps get you going! You could easily skip one of the two operating system to get a dual boot OSX system with Win7, XP, or Ubuntu.

[mikeguru]

Weird problem - Windows 7 (RC-1) refuses to install on the partition I created for it - even when I delete it, re-create it, and format it during the Windows 7 install. It seems to be a random problem, since I've been able to install before - after trying multiple times, it seems to randomly just suddenly decide to let me proceed. WTF? This must be a "bug" in the Windows 7 RC-1 install process - the fact that its own partitioning/formatting process won't always prepare the disk (our Mini 9 SSD in this case) in such a way that the installer likes the format and will let the install proceed. I get this same problem whether I'm booting from an install DVD or from a USB installer. I've had past success using BOTH install methods, so I don't know WHAT THE HECK it could be! I've even tried formatting the Windows partition using Ubuntu Linux's "GPARTED" program, and I've tried both removing the partition and leaving it unformatted, and also tried using GPARTED to format the partition for "NTFS". Anyone know a reliable way to format the partition so Windows 7 will ALWAYS allow the install to proceed? Right now, I'm trying the "Command Line" format command (invoked by pressing Shift-F10 after selecting the "Custom Install" option) to format the "C:" drive (slow and painful!) Thanks!

[mikeguru]

First, let me say this is an EXCELLENT set of instructions! It has gotten me closer to my goal of a triple-boot (Win7/MacOSX/UbuntuLinux) system than any of the other methods I've tried, and I've spent literally DAYS struggling with GUID installs - all failed. Besides the Windows 7 partition formatting problems I mentioned in another post, I also can't get the Mac OS to boot - it goes to a "blue screen", and no amount of "Safe Boot" methods seem to work (neither shift key nor -x methods). I've installed OS-X enough times by now to know how to get it working (thanks to all the geniuses here who have made that process fairly simple and painless!) I'm using the MBR install instructions provided here by RobD, have Dell Ubuntu Netbook Remix 9.04 installed, (had) Windows 7 RC-1 installed (accidentally deleted it - DOH!) and have been using DellEFI1.2a5 (Chameleon) with success during past (GUID) installs. Is it possible there's a problem with the 1.2a5 EFI script that causes it to go "blue screen" when using the MBR install method? Thanks!

[mikeguru]

Originally Posted by mikeguru

Weird problem - Windows 7 (RC-1) refuses to install on the partition I created for it - even when I delete it, re-create it, and format it during the Windows 7 install. It seems to be a random problem, since I've been able to install before - after trying multiple times, it seems to randomly just suddenly decide to let me proceed. WTF? This must be a "bug" in the Windows 7 RC-1 install process - the fact that its own partitioning/formatting process won't always prepare the disk (our Mini 9 SSD in this case) in such a way that the installer likes the format and will let the install proceed. I get this same problem whether I'm booting from an install DVD or from a USB installer. I've had past success using BOTH install methods, so I don't know WHAT THE HECK it could be! I've even tried formatting the Windows partition using Ubuntu Linux's "GPARTED" program, and I've tried both removing the partition and leaving it unformatted, and also tried using GPARTED to format the partition for "NTFS". Anyone know a reliable way to format the partition so Windows 7 will ALWAYS allow the install to proceed? Right now, I'm trying the "Command Line" format command (invoked by pressing Shift-F10 after selecting the "Custom Install" option) to format the "C:" drive (slow and painful!) Thanks!

Well, I'm still not sure what the "magic bullet" is for this problem, but I was FINALLY able to get Windows 7 to install. After re-reading all of the instructions for the various "Triple-Boot" installs, I decided to IMMEDIATELY download and install EasyBCD 1.7.2 in Windows (after windows finished its auto-update installs.) After installing it, I was able to use it to add both OS-X and Dell's Ubuntu NBR 9.04 to the list. WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!! Guess what? - for whatever reason, this not only FINALLY allows me to see all three OS's listed on startup, it somehow resolved my Mini's OS-X "blue screen" brain-freeze - everything is working. The only "new" funny stuff is that my power LED stays on ALL THE TIME - even when the Mini is "shut down". I tried removing the battery, but it didn't help. It almost looks like it's trying to indicate that it's charging, but I don't think that's real, since it never did that before. If I unplug the charger, the light does go out. Hmmmmmmm Should I first update to 10.5.7? Then maybe re-run the DellEFI 1.2a5? I'm almost afraid to try it - the 'ol "don't fix it if it ain't broke" adage might apply here............. (GRIN)