PeterJK1983
asked on
Windows XP boot problems after Linux partition deletion
Hey everyone,
My problem is this - I have a dual-boot machine, one partition with Windows XP, and one with Fedora Core 4. I decided to delete the partition with FC4 using Norton Partition Magic, to make room for FC5. Seems this was a 'school boy error', as upon rebooting, the regular OS selection menu no longer appears, but simply lands me at a command line for GRUB. I didn't understand what I could do using that to get back into Windows, so I restarted with the Windows XP CD in my drive, booted from the CD drive, and went into the recovery console. After looking at the available options, I tried bootcfg /scan, to find existing Windows installations I could add to the boot sequence, but it said "Error: Failed to successfully scan disks for Windows installations. This error may be caused by a corrupt file system". It suggested to use chkdsk, which I did, which reported an error on the disk (though it did not mention if it had fixed it). I tried bootcfg /scan again, but with the same result. Then I tried fixboot. It said the bootsector was corrupt, but that it had successfully written a new bootsector. I restarted - the problem was not fixed - so I went back into the recovery console. Now, when I loaded the recovery console, it seemed to detect my Windows installation, and asked me if I wanted to logon to it. I said yes, but this still leaves you at the recovery console prompt (but this time at C:\Windows). I'm kind of stuck for what to do now to reinstate the proper boot sequence to get into Windows. I tried bootcfg /rebuild and bootcfg /add, and it still gives me an error about a corrupt file system, even though the recovery console has successfully detected my existing windows installation.
Any ideas how to fix this? Thanks in advance!
My problem is this - I have a dual-boot machine, one partition with Windows XP, and one with Fedora Core 4. I decided to delete the partition with FC4 using Norton Partition Magic, to make room for FC5. Seems this was a 'school boy error', as upon rebooting, the regular OS selection menu no longer appears, but simply lands me at a command line for GRUB. I didn't understand what I could do using that to get back into Windows, so I restarted with the Windows XP CD in my drive, booted from the CD drive, and went into the recovery console. After looking at the available options, I tried bootcfg /scan, to find existing Windows installations I could add to the boot sequence, but it said "Error: Failed to successfully scan disks for Windows installations. This error may be caused by a corrupt file system". It suggested to use chkdsk, which I did, which reported an error on the disk (though it did not mention if it had fixed it). I tried bootcfg /scan again, but with the same result. Then I tried fixboot. It said the bootsector was corrupt, but that it had successfully written a new bootsector. I restarted - the problem was not fixed - so I went back into the recovery console. Now, when I loaded the recovery console, it seemed to detect my Windows installation, and asked me if I wanted to logon to it. I said yes, but this still leaves you at the recovery console prompt (but this time at C:\Windows). I'm kind of stuck for what to do now to reinstate the proper boot sequence to get into Windows. I tried bootcfg /rebuild and bootcfg /add, and it still gives me an error about a corrupt file system, even though the recovery console has successfully detected my existing windows installation.
Any ideas how to fix this? Thanks in advance!
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Peter,
Try this method:
REMOVE GRUB
With a Winxp or win2000 CD you can uninstall GRUB as follows:
Boot from the CD and press the "R" key during the setup in order to start the Recovery Console. Select your installation from the list and enter the administrator password. At the input prompt, enter the command "FIXMBR" and confirm the query with "y". The MBR will be rewritten and GRUB will be uninstalled. Press "exit" to reboot the computer
Vic
Try this method:
REMOVE GRUB
With a Winxp or win2000 CD you can uninstall GRUB as follows:
Boot from the CD and press the "R" key during the setup in order to start the Recovery Console. Select your installation from the list and enter the administrator password. At the input prompt, enter the command "FIXMBR" and confirm the query with "y". The MBR will be rewritten and GRUB will be uninstalled. Press "exit" to reboot the computer
Vic
hmm did I miss something in my suggestion younghv
apart from the >enter the administrator password< your suggestion doesnt really show any new ideas.
apart from the >enter the administrator password< your suggestion doesnt really show any new ideas.
Gee Merete,
I don't really know - I got kind of confused trying to read through your 35-40 lines of 'Suggestions' and 'Choices'.
You have a real nice day.
I don't really know - I got kind of confused trying to read through your 35-40 lines of 'Suggestions' and 'Choices'.
You have a real nice day.
Just a thought ... since it appears to be your boot loader that is having a problem, what about just doing the FC5 install onto the partitional that used to have FC4 ... this should restore your MBR and get you back up and running.
If you don't have the FC5 yet, try just going back to FC4.
Just thought it might be easuer than trying to fix this with so many other steps.
If you don't have the FC5 yet, try just going back to FC4.
Just thought it might be easuer than trying to fix this with so many other steps.
Young is correct all they did was load the boot loader into the MBR and now grub fails out because there is no linux partition that it is looking to boot from. FIXMBR from the recovery console will get the job done.
ASKER
Thanks for all the responses guys - fixmbr worked. Merete was the first to suggest this solution - thanks again to you all for the contributions, it's much appreciated.
cool :)
ASKER