boot problems - Fedora Core 2
 

Hi,
I'm a complete Linux newbie, hoping to test it out. I've got a system set up and am trying to make it to where I can boot into both Fedora Core 2 and Windows XP on a partitioned drive. I installed Fedora using the DVD image and the whole installation process seemed to work fine. It installed the GRUB program and I set it to boot to Windows by default, as I'm still learning Linux. After I rebooted the computer, it comes up with a black screen saying GRUB and then nothing else. Now I can't get into Fedora nor XP. Is there anyway to fix this short of a format and reinstall? Thanks.

sounds like you just need to repair grub, something you can do from one of your cds using "rescue mode"...

these links will show you the way:

http://www.sorgonet.com/linux/grubrestore/

http://www.ozzu.com/ftopic25354.html

http://www.linuxcompatible.org/thread27844-1.html

good luck...

I am currently having the same issue. I don't even get the screen where I can choose whether I want to boot Win98 or Fedora. It just goes to a blank screen with a GRUB prompt. I don't know my linux commands yet, so have no idea what to do from here. The only response I can get (besides "unknown command") is when I type "help".

I will check the links provided by win32sux, but any additional help is appreciated.

I am not that familiar with GRUB. However, the commands should be similar to the lilo boot loader (similar to GRUB). Boot from your DVD/CD. Once you come to the install screen, choose the rescue mode. After you go through a bunch of screens where you choose the keyboard type, mouse, etc., you'll have the option of dropping into a command prompt with your linux partition mounted under /mnt/sysimage (I think; the screen should tell you the exact location). At the command prompt (once you type in the root password), goto the above mentioned directory; go to /etc folder. You should find a file called grub.conf

Edit the file using pico or vi, and make sure you have the appropriate entries for Linux and Windows. It should read something like this (for Fedora Core with the 2.6.6-1.435 kernel, assuming one ATA drive):
title Fedora Core (2.6.6-1.435)
root (hd0,0)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.6-1.435 ro root=LABEL=/
initrd /initrd-2.6.6-1.435.img
You'll also have the same 4 lines for each kernel you have in your system. Also, you should have one extra line for Windows; something like (for Windows XP installed in the second partition of the first drive):
title Windows XP
root (hd0,1)
If not write the appropriate lines into grub.conf; save and reboot.

For lilo, the file is called lilo.conf. The following should be in it (for same kernel as above):
prompt
timeout=50
default=some_name
boot=dev/hda
map=/boot/map
install=/boot/boot.b
message=/boot/message
lba32

image=/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.6-1.435
label=some_name
root=/dev/hda1 (substitute the appropriate partition)
read-only
initrd=/boot/initrd-2.6.6-1.435.img

Other=/dev/hda2 (substitute the appropriate partition)
label=Windows

Save the file, run /sbin/lilo -v; reboot.

You should be able to see both paritions listed when you reboot. Good luck.