*sigh* I Killed Linux (as odd as it sounds)
 

Okay well I'm running dual boot RH9 and Windows XP and i had three partitions. The first for Windows, and 2nd one i divided for up for Linux and the other piece of it is the Windows partition too (my computer came with 2 partitions I assume for video editing or something). Anyways the more comfortable i got with Linux the more space I was allocating it via PartitionMagic 8.0. Well I finally got StepMania working which was the only thing on the 2nd Windows partition I needed so I figured i would just erase that partition and move it over to Linux (more space for anime to download ^_^) well apparently this was a HUGE mistake. When my computer boots, I'm given the grub command editor thing. It can't find my kernel... So I figure I have bootdisks so I try both of them (one with a newer kernel), the newer kernel one fails and the 2nd one starts to load. However there is an error, it can't find initrd i believe. Also it complains that it can't mount the root ext3 filesystem, which, i assume, is why it can't find the file. Well I go to my last resort, good ol' Knoppix. I've been having problems loading Knoppix ever since I got my new graphics card but I thought maybe it would work this time. Despite my hopes it didn't work, it got just to the point after it configured all my devices and then my monitor goes into sleep mode or something (the light changes from green to orange) and nothing shows up on the screen (turning it on and off doesn't do anything). Okay so did i totally fsck up? If so, is there anyway I can re-install Linux but retain all the files I have downloaded? (which is quite a bit). I'd prefer to be able to go back to how things were, but i dont see that happening, however reinstalling with all my files (even just those in my /home) would make things a lot easier. Wow i n00bed hardcore, i can't even get into Windows.

EDIT: I just remembered that the 2nd Windows partition (the one i deleted and re-allocated to Linux) was inbetween the Linux partition and my Windows C: Drive. I have a feeling this is important.

Boot off the RedHat CD#1 and instead of install just select upgrade. Then select the grub package and nothing else.

okay i tried what you said but ran into two problems
1.) the generic VESA drivers don't work with my graphics card (GeForce FX 5200, which, i know now, is why Knoppix wasn't working :() my monitor just shuts off so i can't use the graphical install
2.) In the text base install there isn't and Upgrade option.

so my questions are:
1.) Is upgrade only in the graphical mode (i doubt this but i thought i would ask) if so, is there a way i can point i to my nVidia drivers or do i have to remove my gfx card?
2.) Is there a way to re-configure/re-install GRUB through rescue mode? it seems that if i can tell GRUB that all the info is a partition back from where it was last time (since the windows partition i deleted and re-allocated to linux was between linux and my main windows partition) it should load no problem.
3.) When i boot from my bootdisk i made it complains about not being able to locate "initrd" or something like that. my guess is this has to do with Initializing the Root Directory (or something like that) is there a file i can change (while in rescue mode) to point it to where it needs to go? this (my hypothesis that is) would enable me to get into Linux (by way of bootdisk) and change GRUB from there. My last resort would just be to back everything up (on CDs) which would take a long time and might not work (id have to do it from the terminal in rescue mode) but im hoping there is an alternate solution to my problem. thanks for any help, im in desperate need :cry:

anyone? because if i am totally screwed, id just like to back stuff up and re-install, but if there is a way to fix it id like to know. please help :cry: :cry: :cry:

this isnt much help but a good thing for other noobs...... what I would always do is if you are new to linux make a fat 32 paritiion and save EVERYTHING that is important to you on there that way when u f*ck sumthin up u always have them accessible from windows or when u re install

well i thought i might as well try and change the menu.lst file to see if i can make it start recognizing things. nothing i did worked so i changed it back to how it was. now whenever i boot my computer without a disk or anything it just gives me this

GRUB

and it freezes and i can't type anything...

im fscked

okay i took out my gfx card (nVidia GeForce FX 5200) and used my SiS intergrated card so i could backup my stuff under knoppix. before i could get the CD in everything booted fine. wtf? so my question is, is there ANY conceivable way that my graphics card made it so GRUB wouldn't find my drives? i had no problem re-booting with my new graphics card, so i cannot comprehend how it could be the fault of the graphics card after i messed with the partitions. i mean... is the gfx card even recognized at that point? how could it possibly render my machine unbootable?

Here's 2 things you can *try*.
Switch to LILO instead of GRUB?
or get System Commander for Windows to configure you partition, I find it very useful.

i got it to work, i dont know why it works, but im not going to complain. i just needed to take my card out and then put it back in *is happy* ^_^