I installed Fedora Coreand let the auto-installation delete all my previous partitions... I wanted to get windows back, so I used the recovery CD included with the computer to delete all partitions, and reinstall Windows. The process is done, it tells me to reboot my computer so I do. I start it up, and windows won't start up. All it says is Grub_ and im guessing it has something to do with the Grub bootloader. What can I do to make windows work again, please help? I'm expecting to get alot of flaming for such a novice question, but I hope there is a way to fix it? Yes, I am a

Don't worry about me, I don't flame people, and I'm pretty new myself to Linux.
What I have done, and I believe I was told, this is the best way to do this, is install Windows XP FIRST, and then install linux, making sure that you use the remaining partition, and not erase it all.
Being I'm new, that's about all that I can think of. Hope it works for you.

so you deleted all partitions and have only windows left?
try booting with windows install cd, log on to recovery console and do 'fixmbr' and 'fixboot', reboot, and you should be able to boot to windows again.

how do I log onto the recovery console from the recovery CD?

You can also use any Windows boot disk on a floppy. I keep a Windows 98 Boot disk around expressly for this purpose, in case I have to rewrite my Master Boot Record. This works fine even if you have WinXP or Win2K install. Insert the disk and then reboot the machine. At the prompt:

Now you should be able to reboot and then load your Windows partition. More information is available here.

I guess I'm gonna go buy a Windows XP Proffesional Installation disk (80 dollars !) to access the recovery console cause the recovery CD that came with this PC can't do that... D'oh!

what cd came with the PC?
as mentioned, you can also use a floppy... i recommend not even considering buying a copy of the cd, if you have already paid for your cd key, then you can get support online or over phone for free.

search for 'windows xp pro startup disk' or 'bootup disk'.. i think youll need either 2 or 4 floppy disks for it. then try booting with that, or simply do the other recommended option.

I didn't mention that I was using a laptop, and that I'm asking for advice on my desktop PC right now. All the Laptop came with was the standard Recovery and Aplications/Drivers DVD and a similar came with the computer I'm on now. No XP pro startup disk...

You can download windows boot discs online i believe. nonsense28sal post will fix your problem. you can prob boot with any type of rescue disc to get to a prompt and run fdisk on the mbr.

isn't there an easier way to do this? can't one just ask grub to search for all bootable partitions? if linux_newbie123 reinstalled windows using the recovery disk (what does this disk actually do, btw?), then grub should recognise the new partition.

Useful article requires free registration

http://www.windowsitpro.com/Windows/...5327/5327.html

He's wiped all his Linux partitions so grub no longer exists (stage1.5,stage2 etc), there is only the (now useless) code in the mbr. I keep a small (1 cylinder) partition on all my disks just for grub, that way, regardless of what I install, I know grub is always there.

As a previous posted mentioned, the files to make a bootdisk are available online. I found one here. Just click on "DOS/Windows9X/Me/NT/2K/XP" and then download the Windows 98 SE OEM option. The filename is "boot98se.exe". As I said before, this will work on Win2K and XP as well as Win98. Just run the exe and it will walk you through how to make the boot disk. You'll also have to make sure that your computer knows to look at the floppy drive when booting. You can find that setting in the BIOS. Depending on your machine you might have to press "Del" "F2" or possibly "F12" when booting up. Watch the screen carefully at bootup and it will probably display the right key to get into your BIOS and change the options. I hope this helps.
-S

Use the CD of a friend or download a pirated XP installation CD. I believe it is legal since you have a license.

Does the Windows XP CD do the same as the windows xp boot disk? I'm sorry to say my pc doesn't do floppies (new pc...). If the xp CD does do the same, then i'll download a pirate and problem solved...