Downloaded Knoppix, and I am now unable to boot to Windows XP

unohoo09 · 08-24-2009, 02:50 AM

I downloaded Knoppix earlier today, I played around with it for awhile, nothing big, and then i was unable to boot to XP, as a system file was deleted. \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM, or something like that was missing. I got Linux Mint 7.0 later on, played with that for a while (I have both on CDs), then installed it to a 3.8GB Sanza Cruzer to see what would happen, and then I got bored again, so decided to get on XP, to see if it would work again, but where it normally began to load XP, I saw this:

Code:

Verifying DMI Pool Data .......
Boot from ATAPI CD-ROM :  Failure ...
GRUB Loading stage 1.5.

GRUB loading, please wait...
Error 21

Is there anyone that can help? It's not exactly urgent, but I would like it fixed.

EDIT: I no longer get the missing file "\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM" message.

Wim Sturkenboom · 08-24-2009, 03:30 AM

Use the WinXP CD and run fixmbr

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/d....mspx?mfr=true

That should get rid of the 'error 21'. The other error might be solved with some repair option in Windows (if available).

unohoo09 · 08-24-2009, 11:12 AM

I for got to mention, I got my computer built for me for christmas, and I don't have a Windows CD.

GrapefruiTgirl · 08-24-2009, 11:22 AM

I believe that any computer containing a legally installed Windows OS also comes with the original CD/DVD. I could be wrong.

Either way, until a better solution comes along, one method of getting Windows to boot, would be to load up the Linux installation you installed, and add the Windows OS to the GRUB boot list. I can't advise how to do this, because I don't use GRUB, but other members can surely advise.

You could also search LQ and locate a lot of similar threads detailing methods of repairing the Windows boot sector or MBR, but without an original installation disc, there's no guarantee that any method you find, will work as expected.

Cheers,
Sasha

yancek · 08-24-2009, 11:29 AM

Based on the Grub error you got, you installed Grub to the master boot record during the install of Mint (most likely) or knoppix. Windows has a difficult time dealing with non windows information in the mbr. Do you still have your BIOS set to boot from CD?

If you want windows back, go to support.microsoft.com site and do a search "delete Linux and install xp" or something similar. If you don't have any disk, you may be able to get something that works at bootdisk.com.

unohoo09 · 08-25-2009, 02:29 PM

When my computer initially starts up, I get a screen that gives me the option to go to the post setup screen, or something like that. Any way, from this screen I am able to set the boot from configuration. I set the boot order to 1.) HDD-0, 2.) HDD-1, and 3.)HDD-2, so that there is nothing else for it to consider to boot from.