Cannot access Linux partition

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

SOLUTION

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

It all depends on which bootloader you want to use. If you want to use LILO for Linux's bootloader, then you can configure it with that, or you can use the Windows boot loader to start Linux as well. 6 on one, half dozen on the other.

Nevermind, I read more into your link and others and see what they are talking about. Bah, Linux.

ASKER

I tried all the above options but nothing seems to work. I looked at boot.ini of other computer which has Windows XP home edition (as default boot) and Fedora Core 2 installed. It looks the same as on my computer.

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect

I couldnt find any information regarding Linux boot in this boot.ini . Where else can I look for the information? Thanks

Is Fedora available from the XP selection menu or did it load the Linux boot loader like LILO or GRUB? If a Linux bootloader loads rather than the XP one, then you might need to reinstall Fedora to restore that bootloader.

ASKER

XP is not giving that option. I have no option to select from. It selects Windows XP by default. It doesnt talk about Linux at all.

seema, when u formatted ur C:(primary drive) it erased the boot records, so now it doesn't know that u have a Linux install also.... !! =\

Did u tried the adding boot command for linux in boot.ini file of windows, as descibed in my link,,,,,, and if its not working, then as eagle has already mentioned,,,,,, u will need to run the Setup for ur Linux again,,, i dont know if it can be repaired also like windows,,,,, but it needed to be reinstalled so that it can re-enter itself in the boot menu choices !!

one thing more,,,,, why dont u goto linux area >> https://www.experts-exchange.com/Operating_Systems/Linux/
and ask their advise,,,,, we can work with XP, but Linux is difficult for us to handle,,,,, we have told out way of dealing this problem,,,,, now u shud take the advises of Linux experts also, so that u can make sure that what u are required to do in order to solve this issue !!

and u dont need to post another full points question, just post a 20 points pointer question, with a heading something like "500 Points Question, Lost Linux after Repairng XP",,,,,, and give the link to this question, they will come here and will try to help u :)

SOLUTION

dReichel

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

ASKER

Yes, I tried exactly what you wrote. My problem is, I cannot re-install linux as all my thesis work is stored there. I am trying my best to avoid reinstallation, therefore, looking for options. This is what I did:

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)="Fedora Core"

I tried following options and got the problems as below:
1: multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)="Fedora Core"
Problem: Computer restarts.
2: multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)="Fedora Core" /fastdetect
Problem: Computer restarts.
3: multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\LINUX="Fedora Core" /fastdetect
Problem: I got the following error message:
Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt
<Windows root>\system32\hal.dll.
Please reinstall a copy of the above file.

Now what do I do?
Thanks

The method I suggested initially is flawed since I don't know much about Linux and though you could boot just from the partition but you cannot. In SheharyaarSaahil's link, about halfway down is a section about "Using the Windows Bootloader" If you follow those directions, you should be fine, but it does involve you needing to boot into Linux. Did you create a boot floppy for your Linux install?

seema u are doing it in a wrong way...... i dont think so that it has anything to do with Windows,,,, u have to configure Linux to get itno boot menu choice,,,,,the link i gave was also abt booting with Linux disk and getting a Linux.bin file which we can enter in Windows boot.ini file,,,,,, but im not sure how it actually works coz i have no idea\experience with linux, i have only heard of its name =\

I think dReichel is giving a good advise here,,,, or as i said, contact Linux area coz experts there will be known to Linux problems and can help u in this issue !!

SOLUTION

jlevie

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

SOLUTION

docburns

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

SOLUTION

karlwilbur

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

look seema, now we are getting super advises from these super Linux Experts !! :D
Cheers guys ^_^

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

EinarTh

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

SOLUTION

fulp02

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

>> Now this is silly... Windows geeks giving Linux advice? ;)

lol, coz it was aksed in WinXP,,,,, and u can see the results of our Windows Advices !! ;-)

dReichel

karlwilbur>>Boot the computer with the Fedora Core 2
karlwilbur>>Dick 1 and go into

Interesting.. Apparently the Fedora Team has been busy adding advanced Window$ emulation features ;)

Cheers!

karlwilbur

>>karlwilbur>>Boot the computer with the Fedora Core 2
>>karlwilbur>>Dick 1 and go into
oops. :-D

>> Now this is silly... Windows geeks giving Linux advice? ;)
Actually, I'm a Linux geek. :-)

fulp02 is correct. When you reinstalled WinXP, Windows overwrites the Master Boot Record (MBR) on the hard drive. [The MBR is the location on the hard drive where the boatloader resides. It is the very first sector of the hard drive.] Windows puts NTLDR in the MBR. It does not ask permission to overwrite the MBR, it just does it. This is presumptuous and "know-best". This kind of "know-best" attitude is why I left Windows in the first place.

By undoing what Windows did to "break" you dual boot, you will have your dual boot back.

There is a way to have NTLDR be your bootloader and dual boot with Fedora by editing boot.ini but GRUB is _FAR_ superior to NTLDR, so just stick with GRUB.

Best, Karl