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ForumsDiscussion Forum → Dammit, my bootloader is screwed up!
Dammit, my bootloader is screwed up!
2004-06-01, 6:55 PM #1
Ok, I was installing redhat again (felt like re-trying another distro, plus the fact that I wanted to regain linux use of my cd-rom drive that knoppix would run off of.) and I am using the GRUB boot loader.

Here's my current configuration:

Hda1 = windows xp corporate
hda3 = redhat 9

(I don't know exactly what's on hda2, but it's probably some sort of swap partition or possibly the bootloader.)

When I boot, I get Grub. My two options are:

1. Redhat
2. Dos


(dos is apparently what GRUB calls windows xp.) when I choose that option, i get the windows xp loader thing, and then I get a BSOD that flashes for a split second and the computer reboots to GRUB.

I know GRUB found the winxp partition b/c it tried to load winxp, but I don't get what the BSOD is all about. The info on that partition should be intact, the redhat installer shouldn't have had to touch it. (I installed redhat on the 8 gb of unpartitioned space that i intentionally set aside for linux.)

How do I get my windows XP to boot again? I would prefer not to reinstall, b/c the windows installer would undoubtedly mess up my new redhat install. (Redhat's not too bad with KDE instead of G-nome). I would prefer to preserve the ability to have a dual-boot system, but I'm willing to sacrifice that to get windows back. I have a redhat boot disk, so I could use that as a plan B.

Please help.

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Old aunts used to come up to me at weddings, poking me in the ribs and cackling, telling me, "You're next." They stopped after I started doing the same thing to them at funerals.

[This message has been edited by Pagewizard_YKS (edited June 01, 2004).]
2004-06-01, 7:01 PM #2
RH may have wiped out Windows. The boot screen only means NTLDR and NTOSKRNL.EXE are intact, the rest of the OS could be long gone. Mount the drive under a capable OS and check to make sure everything is intact...

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Have you seen junior's grades!?
:wq
And when the moment is right, I'm gonna fly a kite.
2004-06-01, 7:08 PM #3
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by GBK:
Mount the drive under a capable OS and check to make sure everything is intact...

</font>


How would I do this? (preferably in redhat, I doubt I could access the partition from another windows machine on the network)




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Old aunts used to come up to me at weddings, poking me in the ribs and cackling, telling me, "You're next." They stopped after I started doing the same thing to them at funerals.
2004-06-01, 7:09 PM #4
Yeah, Grub calls it DOS when it detects a Windows installation.

Stuff like that is one reason I use the NT boot loader when I have a dual boot Windows and Linux setup.
2004-06-01, 7:19 PM #5
This is odd. It's the first I've heard of Linux wiping Windows. Now, did you install Linux on completely unpartitioned space? Or did it partition the space according to Linux's partitioning format?

Also, why not use LILO? I have it on my Debian/XP Pro system, and I never had to manually edit any configuration files.

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Our very existence is at stake

Yay! I can finally join the snail-racing crew.

-@%
Marsz, marsz, Dąbrowski,
Z ziemi włoskiej do Polski,
Za twoim przewodem
Złączym się z narodem.
2004-06-01, 7:27 PM #6
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Ric_Olie:
This is odd. It's the first I've heard of Linux wiping Windows. Now, did you install Linux on completely unpartitioned space? Or did it partition the space according to Linux's partitioning format?

Also, why not use LILO? I have it on my Debian/XP Pro system, and I never had to manually edit any configuration files.

</font>


I installed it on previously unpartitioned space. Redhat setup automatically partitioned the space after I expressly told it to leave the windows partition alone and use any unpartitioned space.

I've used lilo in the past and I got basically the same problem as I'm having right now. I used grub this time b/c i heard it was better, and wouldn't cause this exact problem, but obviously it didnt happen that way.

I resolved this problem the first time by repartitioning everything and reinstalling windows. I know how to fix this problem, I just would hate to do it that way unless all other possible fixes have failed.


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Old aunts used to come up to me at weddings, poking me in the ribs and cackling, telling me, "You're next." They stopped after I started doing the same thing to them at funerals.

[This message has been edited by Pagewizard_YKS (edited June 01, 2004).]

[This message has been edited by Pagewizard_YKS (edited June 01, 2004).]
2004-06-01, 7:32 PM #7
Tried using a boot disk for Windows? Won't really fix the problem, but at least you could get to Windows. I usually just let NT boot loader launch windows or lilo because for one I don't like altering the MBR since if I take the Linux drive out, that results in the MBR wanting to find the boot loader but it not being there.
2004-06-01, 7:36 PM #8
Try booting Windows line-by-line. I don't remember the key for it. It may have been F8. See if you can get that far.

------------------
Our very existence is at stake

Yay! I can finally join the snail-racing crew.

-@%
Marsz, marsz, Dąbrowski,
Z ziemi włoskiej do Polski,
Za twoim przewodem
Złączym się z narodem.
2004-06-01, 7:41 PM #9
Yeah, F8.
2004-06-01, 7:44 PM #10
Ok, I made a dos boot disk, and I was able to see that the file/dir structure on the windows partition appeared to be intact.

I tried the win command, but it didn't work.

This prety much isolates the problem to the bootloader. Do you think recovery console will fix it?

If I use recovery console, how will this affect Grub? Will it render it useless, or will there be a more serious conflict?


I know that If I use recovery console, i'll probably be relying on my redhat boot disk to load linux, but so be it.



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Old aunts used to come up to me at weddings, poking me in the ribs and cackling, telling me, "You're next." They stopped after I started doing the same thing to them at funerals.
2004-06-01, 7:48 PM #11
Ok, i pressed F8, and I tried safe mode (I don't have manual line-by-line boot for some reason.) safe mode wouldn't even work. The machine rebooted as soon as I hit safe mode, it didn't even have a chance to show the winxp loader screen.



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Old aunts used to come up to me at weddings, poking me in the ribs and cackling, telling me, "You're next." They stopped after I started doing the same thing to them at funerals.
2004-06-01, 8:39 PM #12
Ok, I'm screwed. I can't get recovery console to load.

(It's supposed to be an option given to oyu when you boot off of the windows xp cd, right?

Is there another way I can execute the program?



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Old aunts used to come up to me at weddings, poking me in the ribs and cackling, telling me, "You're next." They stopped after I started doing the same thing to them at funerals.
2004-06-02, 3:04 AM #13
Run your DOS bootdisk again.
Run this command

fdisk /mbr

It'll repair the MBR for Windows. You'll loose grub, but at least you can restart Redhat all over, or reinstall the loader.

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"The future is not determined by a throw of the dice, but is determined by the conscious decisions of you and me."
I am addicted to ellipses!!! AHHH!!! ...
Make Sorrowind Worthwhile... join it! http://sorrowind.net
2004-06-02, 7:05 AM #14
fixed.

I can start windows normally, but now I need a boot disk to get into linux.



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Old aunts used to come up to me at weddings, poking me in the ribs and cackling, telling me, "You're next." They stopped after I started doing the same thing to them at funerals.
2004-06-02, 7:39 AM #15
Nerds.

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"She turned me into a newt!"
Pause
"Well I got better..."
"She turned me into a newt!"
Pause
"Well I got better..."
2004-06-02, 7:54 AM #16
He wants to fix his computer problem and you call him a nerd... I don't think fixing something thats broken makes you a nerd. Does pumping up a basketball make you a jock? Basically what I'm getting at here is as follows... SHUT THE **** UP!

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<Outlaw_Torn> you mean your related to that damned sasquatch, Mech?
<MechWarrior> Lets just say the part of the family tree that does fork has bossy the goat in it.

<ubuu> does hitler have a last name?
2004-06-02, 7:56 AM #17
stop now.

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Current Maps | Inclusion | Restless Endeavor

There is a thin line between insanity and stupidity. I am that line.
Current Maps | Newest Map
2004-06-02, 11:09 AM #18
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by MechWarrior:
He wants to fix his computer problem and you call him a nerd... I don't think fixing something thats broken makes you a nerd. Does pumping up a basketball make you a jock? Basically what I'm getting at here is as follows... SHUT THE **** UP!

</font>



Wow, take a chill pill.

------------------
"She turned me into a newt!"
Pause
"Well I got better..."
"She turned me into a newt!"
Pause
"Well I got better..."
2004-06-02, 11:13 AM #19
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by MechWarrior:
He wants to fix his computer problem and you call him a nerd... I don't think fixing something thats broken makes you a nerd. Does pumping up a basketball make you a jock? Basically what I'm getting at here is as follows... SHUT THE **** UP!

</font>


The STFU really put the emphasis that post needed. [/sarcasm]

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"The future is not determined by a throw of the dice, but is determined by the conscious decisions of you and me."
I am addicted to ellipses!!! AHHH!!! ...
Make Sorrowind Worthwhile... join it! http://sorrowind.net

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