restore mbr

varun_saa · 07-20-2007, 02:58 AM

Hello,

I had windowsxp(FAT) with
mandriva spring.

I resinstalled windows NTFS mode
and I am not able to restore
my boot loader.

I used the DVD in restore mode
but it did not work.

Tried in console mode :

chroot /mnt/sysimage

/sbin/grub-install /dev/sda1

Did not work.

Further I tried :

chroot /mnt/sysimage

/sbin/grub-install --recheck /dev/sda1

But this also did not work

Is there a way to get my boot loader
back ?

Thanks in advance

Varun

Zmyrgel · 07-20-2007, 04:35 AM

It should work by chrooting:

Code:

mount /dev/sda2 /mnt
mount -t proc proc /mnt/proc
mount -o bind /dev /mnt/dev
chroot /mnt /bin/bash
source /etc/profile
grub
> root (hd0,0)   <--- boot partition with GRUB
> setup (hd0)
> quit
// done

syg00 · 07-20-2007, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by varun_saa

Tried in console mode :

chroot /mnt/sysimage

/sbin/grub-install /dev/sda1

You need to update the MBR, not the (partition) bootsector record.
try "/sbin/grub-install /dev/sda".

ernie · 07-20-2007, 02:38 PM

If grub was correctly installed before reinstalling WinXP, you should be able to run the Mandriva DVD in rescue mode, then simply run the reinstall boot loader menu item. It has worked for me here in the past.

Another way (also using the Mandriva DVD in rescue mode) may be:

Select Go to a shell

Note: When you start the shell, you see a command to return to the rescue menu. Remember this command (I can not recall the command). You will need it when you are finished.

Create mount points to which you will mount your hard drive partitions:

Code:

mkdir /mnt/root
mkdir /mnt/root/home
mkdir /mnt/root/mnt/win_c

Mount your hard drive partitions (for the case where /dev/sdb1 is '/', /dev/sdb2 is /home, and /dev/sda1 is /mnt/win_c):

Code:

mount /dev/sdb1 /mnt/root
mount /dev/sdb2 /mnt/root/home
mount /dev/sda1 /mnt/root/mnt/win_c

The idea here is to mount your partitions so they are arranged as if you simply started Linux normally. Here is an example:

For the case where you mount the main Linux partition at '/', a second Linux partition at '/home', and your Windows partition at /mnt/win_c:

Mount the main Linux partition at /mnt/root, the second Linux partition at /mnt/root/home, and the Windows partition at /mnt/root/mnt/win_c

Now you are ready to start a changed root session (with your Main Linux partition on the hard drive as the root):

Code:

chroot /mnt/root

Next run MCC:

Code:

/usr/bin/drakconf

In the MCC menu navigate to the Boot loader menu item:

Press the UP ARROW key to move the cursor to the menu.
Press the DOWN ARROW key two times to move the cursor to the Boot loader menu item.
Press the TAB key to move the cursor to the OK item.
Press the ENTER key to start the Boot loader utility.

You should not need to make any changes in the Bootloader main options screen (the Boot device is usually /dev/sda and will only need to be changed if it points to a partition e.g.: /dev/sda1 or /dev/sdb2). Press the ENTER key to continue to the drakboot screen.

You should not need to make any changes in the drakboot screen either, so press the ENTER key to finish.

The Boot loader utility should save any changes you may have made, then install the bootloader to the MBR.

To close the changed root session press CTRL+D.

Enter the command to return to the rescue menu (from my note above).

In the rescue menu, choose the option to reboot the computer. It should eject the DVD for you then reboot.

When the computer reboots, you should have your boot menu again.

HTH,