Linux Mint 12 Lisa w/CODECS
 

I am trying to install Linux mint Lisa with Codecs along side winXP on a legacy dell I have. I did load Linux UBUNTU a while ago . It went well but the bootloader (grub) apparently didn't install properly , because I wasn't given an option when I booted. It would always boot to windows.

I have removed UBUNTU and it's partitions. Now when I boot to the Linux mint it wants to install UBUNTU.

This same mint disc boots fine in my laptop although I haven't installed it.

My last post concerning this issue said I wasn't giving enough information ? Not sure what other information would be needed ? I am new to linux and find it a very rich free option to commercial software and just starting to learn.

This may be a partition that was created and is still there but I am pretty sure it has been removed and reformatted.

If you are seeing ubuntu name in the file names as it is installing this is possible because Linux Mint is a derivative of ubuntu, in other words a remake. If you install it and it uses a ubuntu splash screen, I can not explain that.

It would be best if you would tell us where and when you see the ubuntu name when installing the linux mint.

I have no idea what the problem is but if you are not concerned about data preservation I can fix the problem for you. I am working on the assumption you know how to do a fresh install of XP. Nuke the hard drive... completely format it by windows methods or use live usb (unetbootin and parted magic). When you have a fresh drive do the xp install then do the Mint install in the normal way.

If I were to guess I'd say your hard drive partitions are confusing the GRUB bootloader. I advice against taking my advice on the grounds that I am profoundly reckless and more than a little insane BUT is "should" work. Once the partition issues are resolved the installs should go smoothly and Grub should not have any issues. Z/Z

I had replied to your previous post and I am sticking with it. Here is the link
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...2-lisa-927951/

Thank You for responding,

I just rebooted the the XP machine with the Linux Mint 12 disk and it booted up to ubuntu. I also booted my vista laptop with the same disk and it booted to Linux Mint 12.
I have made an image(Ecronis) of a good install of xp and all my installed programs that I use for reinstalling when I run into problems. After installing Ubuntu the first time and not getting a boot prompt for windows or Ubuntu when I started the machine I desided to retry a install and when that didn't work I decided to uninstall ubuntu. I then realized that linux partitions are different then windows. Can't remember what method I used to detect the Linux partition but do remember it was a windows administrator tool. I deleted them (more then one) and reformatted that space to NTFS and the added that space to an existing partition via a partitioning app.

Although I have reinstalled my disk image and still see the problem what I haven't tried yet is to completely reformat the XP HD before reinstalling the image. Then again I may have imaged the linux partition to begin with.

you can boot from the live cd and use a tool there called Gparted to analyze your partitions usually newest linux formats are ext4

Here is a little tutorial in using Gparted
http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/gparted.html

Here a little tutorial on how to set up dual boot
http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/d...-7-ubuntu.html

Take a look to them before you decided to do anything

Good luck to you.