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-   -   Why grub won't let me dual boot with XP (https://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-newbie-8/why-grub-won%27t-let-me-dual-boot-with-xp-217386/)

wingman69 08-14-2004 12:15 AM

Why grub won't let me dual boot with XP
 
I am a very new linux user. I have just installed Fedora Core 2 on a second HDD on my system. When I boot the system, I get the option to boot to Fedora or to 'other'. I am assuming that 'other' is my Windows XP Pro installation. When I choose 'other', I get my boot screen for Windows, but it goes no further. It was working great before I installed linux. A couple of extenuating factors: on my Windows install, I run StyleXP, which has changed the boot screens and other important Windows stuff. I am sure my Windows is still there, as I can see the drive with partition magic. I ran a repair option on Windows hoping that would clean up the loading process, but it didn't help.

Can anyone help me get both o/s's going, or tell me how to un-install linux or grub so I can just use Windows (to get rid of StyleXP as I am sure that is causing havoc).

Please help!!!

Tinkster 08-14-2004 12:41 AM

Hi, and welcome to LQ!

I don't know how styleXP works, but if it (and
that's what I suspect given your description)
does part of its thing-a-majig using the MBR
a removal of grub won't fix the problem (unless
grub has stored the old MBR somewhere and
you're able to put it back in place - but that
would be specific to fedora).


Cheers,
Tink

wingman69 08-14-2004 12:53 AM

Thanx for the reply. I am not sure if StyleXP goofs around with the MBR. How do I get to see my other HDD so I can look around in it. Or where is the grub file located? Does that make any sense at all?

Tinkster 08-14-2004 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by wingman69
Thanx for the reply. I am not sure if StyleXP goofs around with the MBR. How do I get to see my other HDD so I can look around in it.
Depends on fedora and your file-system in XP.

Quote:

Or where is the grub file located? Does that make any sense at all?
Usually grub config files live in /boot/grub (at least in debian).
Depending on how it's been set-up it most likely over-
wrote the old mbr to be able to boot linux on the second
hdd.


Cheers,
Tink

wingman69 08-14-2004 01:12 AM

NTFS on the Windows box. I really think my Windows has been borked, as I tried to boot into safe modeand Last Known Good Configuration, and I couldn't get into Windows. I might end up re-installing everything.

jax8 08-14-2004 02:34 AM

try pulling out the linux drive and try it then

skrod 08-14-2004 05:18 AM

wingman69,

> "NTFS on the Windows box. I really think my Windows has been borked, as I tried to boot into > safe modeand Last Known Good Configuration, and I couldn't get into Windows. I might end

I hear your pain, pal ... but your XP INSTALL STILL LIVES!, and you DON'T HAVE TO KILL XP just to mess with Fedora Core.

What Fedora has done is to rewrite the Master Boot Record (MBR) of your drive in a proprietary format that loads a small bootstrap program that points to the Linux GRUB bootloader on your Linux /boot partition. It is now written in a fashion that Windows (of any flavor) cannot understand anymore -- consequently it doesn't know where "ntldr" is anymore, and it can't boot. (Your XP Install is still there, but you've got to do a couple of things to get it back.)

Now, I've been all through this, and yes, there IS a way to make the two OSs dual-boot with each other peaceably -- but it involves some brain salad surgery (and you'll probably have to reinstall Fedora Core [but NOT XP, thank God] ). The first thing you've got to do, though, is to start your computer with your Windows XP installation disk (if you don't have a "full" install disk -- e.g. not an OEM "rescue"-type disk -- then you're screwed. You need the full, from-the-box variety or a reasonable facsimile ;-) ) Pick "Repair a Windows Installation" from the menu when it gives you the choice after booting. You'll have three options once the CD boots.

You'll then choose "Repair Installation using the Recovery Console". You'll get dumped into something that looks like a DOS prompt (it is not). Once you are there type this:

FIXMBR <return>
FIXBOOT <return>

Then type "exit" to leave the console and have the computer reboot (or, ctrl-alt-delete). Take out the CD, and XP should start normally.

I did a little research and did a paper on this frustrating subject.
I refer you to this website for more information about getting your Fedora Core install to
work right for you: .

http://www.geocities.com/epark/linux/grub-w2k-HOWTO.html

The fellow who wrote it, Ed Park, really knows his stuff. It's a little arcane, but it will get you right. Otherwise message me with your email and I'll send you the entire paper about what to do in the fullest step-by-step way that will keep you straight.

Take care,

Skrod

wingman69 08-14-2004 09:35 AM

I tried pulling the Linux drive, but grub gives me an error. I will try the XP recovery console in a bit. For information, when I do boot to the Windows install, it gives me the boot screen, then I get nothing. I am quite sure StyleXP is goofing up with this, but I will try the above suggestions and let you know how it works.

wingman69 08-15-2004 11:58 PM

Ok. I attempted what you suggested, and it failed miserably. As I rely so much on Windows (forgive me for that!!), I re-installed my XP. The XP kernel was borked. Why? I don't know. My plan now is to go with a Slackware installation, as I know I can install that without using a bootloader, just boot to a floppy to get it going. Expect to see me here again for more questions. Thanx to all for the help. CU in the near future.

Marc A 08-16-2004 09:49 AM

Hi,

Hope it's still time. I would need more information to help you but i Can tell that almost every linux distro can start from a floppy (not only Slack).
Otherwise, I use a multi boot PC with Xp under the dust somewhere on hda1, an old knoppix hd install on hda2 and a perfect/nice/brilliant sarge on hda3 (/, /boot, /swap, and home) and 4 (files).

Good luck in a land with so much gates and bill,

masand 08-16-2004 10:06 AM

what u can do is
boot from a win98 cd
at the command prompt
#fdisk /mbr
will remve grub and rewrite the windows MBR to it

boot ur winXp remove style XP and then try agaiin with grub anddo not use style Xp again


regards
gaurav


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