reinstalling windows deleted my grub master boot file; how do I restore it?

sohmc · 01-12-2005, 12:33 PM

Typical microsoft errors forced me to reinstall windows XP. I didn't realize that it would write over my master boot file which allowed me to dual boot into windows and into linux (fedora if it matters). Is there a way to restore this without reinstalling fedora? I have a lot of data on my fedora partition that has not been backed up.

I should mention that I do not have a floppy drive installed on the computer.

Thanks all!

david_ross · 01-12-2005, 12:53 PM

You can just reinstall grub on the mbr:
1) Boot with FC CD1 and enter rescue mode by entering "linux rescue" at the "boot:" prompt
2) Once you are in a bash shell you can cahnge to your live partition with "chroot /mnt/sysimage"
3) Reinstall grub with "/sbin/grub-install /dev/hda"
4) Exit and reboot "exit;reboot"

kevinalm · 01-12-2005, 12:55 PM

It's fairly easy to reinstall the grub stage1 to the mbr. You'll need to boot into some sort of linux and run grub. Does fc still support booting into rescue mode from cd 1? Anyway from the bash prompt run:

grub
root (hdn,m)
setup (hd0)
quit

n,m being the appropriate numbers.

root(hdn,m) points to the partion containing the menu.lst/grub.conf you are using.

setup (hd0) writes to the mbr of hd 0.

sohmc · 01-12-2005, 01:27 PM

You guys are fricken' AWESOME!

Thanks guys. LQ is great. I'll let you know if it works.