cant open xp after Ubuntu
 

Hello,
I downloaded ubuntu and using usb disc to try.After I shut down computer I cannot start xp again.If I leave theusb disk out I get message on booting up "verifying DMI pool data-a disk read error occurred.press control,Alt and delete to restart.I do this and after a while it comes back to same message.If I leave the usb disc in with the Ubuntu it boots straight to ubuntu.I am not very technical so would appreciate any assistance to enable me to get my xp starting again please.
gil

There may be some option in the Recovery Console to try. However, I also know that in Vista or above you can just run Startup Repair from either the DVD or the hard drive (but only with 7 can you run from the hard drive).

Hi,

Please elaborate the issue properly.From what I understand ,you have your system with hard disk sda on which you have Windows XP and and on other USB disk you installed Ubuntu.Now you cant boot the without USB disk?

Please confirm if its the same scenario.


The boot loaders are installed in MBR (master boot record) of your hard drive. I suppose that you have installed GRUB on your internal drive's MBR. So, when you power on your pc it loads the menu from that location.

One thing you can do that i am not sure it will work is to install GRUB on your external disk (I think there is this kind of option when you install ubuntu, i.e to install the boot loader in the disk where you installed ubuntu and not in your primary disk) and erase your current internal disk's MBR. Then when you have your usb disk plugged you should go to your BIOS menu and change the boot order so your internal disk will be booted after your usb disk. When the boot process begins your usb disk will show the GRUB menu hopefully with an option for your Win XP disk.

I think first thing to check is your BIOS boot order. Make sure it lists USB device as first option and HDD as second, this way it will boot from HDD if the USB stick is not present. Post the results here.

xp can t open
 

Hello,
@prayag_pjs
Yes that is the problem as stated.Thank you for responses.
should I download ubuntu again to obtain the grub or can I download the grub?

z-vet
I have checked my BIOS on the start up and there are two places to change the staring order.In the first enter set up I have placed usb first,and then the second has + and - alongside but it is showing usb on top of the list.HDD i second.I have tried this then without USB but receive the message as stated previously.

Really appreciate any extra help to solve my problem and have XP accessible again.

Gil

You need to install grub again using rescue mode using ubuntu DVD.You dont need to download Ubuntu again just get the Live cv of Ubuntu of the version which you installed.