bootable code insertion into ext2 partition [or before it] for windows linux multiboot

I had a hard drive for win7 laptop showing signs of failing, and i made an image of it successfully with clonezilla. Installing the new bigger hard drive in its place, sata in a sata laptop, i attempted to make myself a little room at the beginning of the drive for future boot programs to load eventually another OS, in addition to windows 7 already authenticated, and remaining so, hopefully, since the hardware is all still the same.

So the drive i have now is looking like this:

1. 100mb ext2 partition, so far empty, awaiting bootcode [and commented text ] of some kind...
AND two remaining partitions,
2. the first NTFS, containing all the win 7 files from the image...and room to spare,... successfully restored back onto the drive. Tested as successfully imaged and restored successfully by clonezilla.
3. the remainder of the drive is still unallocated and ready for future use, wow, lots of new space.

It doesn't boot yet, because the firstmost ext2 partition has no bootable code of any kind. Only a generic MBR. I believe the second partition is ready to boot as soon as i point to it's position.


I have a cd drive, usb drives, bootable disks like partedmagic4.8, hirens boot cd 1.4, 1.5, and win7 disk (repair or restore or install) AND a bios that allows me to boot from three sources, cd, usb, and the new hd, in any order.

Hiren's MBRchk tells me that the mbr code for win7 is correct and is in its place [prior to all three partitions i believe]. This made by mbrfix to drive0

My question is: what is the most practical way to continue, utilizing my new ext2 partition to steer the way to the other two OS's, one of which, win7, is ready and waiting.

What's a good way to go next? I've been seeing grub2, grub4dos, bcd, bootrec, NTLDR, and more. All getting very confusing, with many step procedures. And not all promising to lead to a very simple opening screen.

A simple two line screen with choices for
1. "win7"
and
2. "future os." maybe 10 will be offered
3. repair partition, cmdcon, linux, etc.
and a timer counting down from 10 seconds... with a default to choice to # 1... would be a good clean opening screen, perhaps.

Which of the many tools available online would do this (easily), and how to specifically accomplish it.? Or have i begun incorrectly? Many advised that the ext2 partition just ahead of big partitions for an OS or two is the way to go.