Ubuntu - XP Dual Boot Problem

Xyresic · 08-19-2009, 04:39 AM

Hi, I just recently installed Ubuntu 9.04 on a HP Pavilion dv1000 laptop.

I had Windows XP Pro installed before Ubuntu, and after installing Ubuntu from a USB and installing it to dual boot with XP (I used the default settings that came with the installer), XP suddenly doesn't boot anymore. It still shows up on Grub and I can select it to boot, I can even press 'F8' after selection to access advanced booting options. However, one thing it doesn't do is boot the OS itself, or rather, the screen is blank and nothing displays. Booting in Safe Mode doesn't work either, it gets stuck after showing a list of loading of Windows services.

The odd thing is the wireless indicator button lights up, the 'mute' button also lights up (I usually have sound muted) which I'm guessing shows Windows XP isn't totally dead, just the GUI doesn't come up or something?

I don't really have access to a XP install CD at the moment, so I can't really do a Windows repair, but if anyone here can shine a light on this problem, please help.

PS: Ubuntu boots up and runs fine, XP just doesn't boot.

Thanks in Advance~

EDIT: Nevermind, seems like the problem sorted itself o.o

Larry Webb · 08-19-2009, 06:08 AM

Do you need a towel to wipe the sweat?

soplin · 08-19-2009, 06:36 AM

There can be MANY reasons why Windows doesn't work so well or may be completely shattered.

The first thing to try when installing a Linux juxtaposed to a Windows is simply partition a small part of the end of the hard drive and format it with an ext(2-4) file system. If the Windows does not boot properly and you feel uncertain, you can undo this by simply repartitioning the drive back to how it was before, then using chkdsk and defrag in Windows. Yet before doing any of this, the Windows side should be completely clean, which includes using scandisk, defrag, and chkdsk; in addition, it doesn't hurt to have a backup.

Always have a tool around like PartedMagic. It may come in handy.

Which Windows XP do you have, the one that is based on your HP computer, the one installed by the store so that they can charge you every time, or an "official"?

Did you try chkdsk /f in the command-line?

Troubleshooting Windows can be long and frustrating.

good luck