boot from winxp cd...edit grub?

timberwolf90 · 10-27-2007, 12:14 PM

Here's some info about my computer before I begin:

Processor: Intel Celeron CPU 2.00GHz
RAM: 0.5 GB

Hard Drive size:

rootfs 5.9G / (i think this is linux)
/dev/hda5 26G /mnt/dos (another partition to store files on)
/dev/hda1 26G /mnt/winxp
/dev/hda9 11G /mnt/hda9 (not sure what this is...)

I'm Dual booting with Windows XP SP2

Disto: Freespire 2.0.0
kernal version: 2.6.20-16-lowlatency

So as you can see, I'm Dual-booting with WinXP SP2. I was working on windows when my printer started acting weird (It wouldn't print). Anyways I restarted my computer and to my shock Windows wouldn't start, got the error: load need DLLs for Kernel
Anyways, I decided to try and boot from my windows XP cd to go repair windows. But here comes my actual problem
I put in the cd and I press "any key" and then my sceen goes blank.
I waited for about 20 minutes to see if anything would come, but nothing...

I wanted to know if and how I can add "boot from cd" function to grub.

I have CD-ROM in first and second choice in BIOS.

If anyone has any other suggestions as to solve the windows problem then please say them. I'm open to any ideas except reformatting any HD (really don't want to do that).

I'm just glad I could get into linux and use the internet for help...

~TimberWolf90~

alunduil · 10-27-2007, 01:06 PM

If memory serves you can't actually use the CD from grub. I've read a few things about people trying it, but I've not seen any successes yet.

Regards,

Alunduil

tredegar · 10-27-2007, 01:48 PM

Quote:

I put in the cd and I press "any key" and then my sceen goes blank.

I suggest you make backups of personal files (linux and windows if you can access windows files from linux) now.

Then try cold-booting from your windows rescue CD - insert CD, power-down computer, turn on computer. You have already set the BIOS to boot from CD first, and HDD second, I hope.

You'll need a "live distro" (kubuntu, ubuntu, knoppix, whatever) to rescue your linux installation after windows rescue has destroyed grub, which it will do

Good luck.

saikee · 10-27-2007, 01:56 PM

Freespire uses a gfxmenu which can be disabled by pressing the "Esc" key to see the boot menu in text mode.

In text mode pressing the "c" key will drop you into a Grub prompt.

You should be able to boot XP, if it is in a healthy state, by the follwing commands in a Grub prompt

Code:

root (hd0,0)
makeactive
chainloader +1
boot

The standard Grub booting from a hard disk does not have a facility to boot a CD. I think Dos 7.1 packaged with Grub has a driver does that.

timberwolf90 · 10-27-2007, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tredegar

I suggest you make backups of personal files (linux and windows if you can access windows files from linux) now.

Then try cold-booting from your windows rescue CD - insert CD, power-down computer, turn on computer. You have already set the BIOS to boot from CD first, and HDD second, I hope.

Well, I first backed up windows and linux.
Then I changed BIOS to first: cd-rom second: hdd third: floppy
I put in WinXP installed cd (I didn't have a "rescue" cd and not sure what that is). I just used the only WinXP cd I had.

Anyways, the pc recognized the cd and booted from it!!! YA!!!
I repaired WinXP and all my files were still there...Double YA!

BUT I still can't print in WinXP...I'm going to look it up on google some more...

I installed (or whatever you call it in Linux) the printer in Linux and it prints fine. So its a windows problem. UGH! Stupid windows. I don't even know why I keep it...

Anyways, thanks for your help!!!

tredegar · 10-27-2007, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Well, I first backed up windows and linux.

A good move. Better safe than sorry.

Quote:

I didn't have a "rescue" cd and not sure what that is

My apologies, a "rescue" cd, is perhaps a linux term (Boot from the CD, access the files on the broken linux installation, and fix things up. You can do this with linux, but, not I think, windows. I'm no longer good with windows (gave up all hope at win98), but you seem to have it sorted. Good.

Quote:

I installed (or whatever you call it in Linux) the printer in Linux and it prints fine.

Well done

It is a refreshing change to read that things are working with linux, but not windows. Usually I hear the opposite, but remember, people do not complain when things are working with linux, although, recently most things do!

I hope you survive a reboot. Saikee says your distro uses a bootloader I know nothing about, but come back here if you have further problems

saikee · 10-27-2007, 05:39 PM

tredegar,

Quote:

Saikee says your distro uses a bootloader I know nothing about

Freespire uses Grub just like

OpenSuse
Mepis
Frugalware
Sidux
Kanotix
Yoper
DreamLinux
eLive
Linux Gamer
and a few others that I have not come across

They all have gfxmenu (Splashimage) that shows a graphic screen. In such a case by pressing the "Esc" key will force Grub to display the text and thereafter pressing the "c" can get a Grub prompt.

It is my experience that there is no installed PC system in extence that cannot be booted up by a Grub prompt.

Therefore when a user gets a Grub prompt I can show how he/she can boot up the OS manually.

It wasn't another boot loader. It is the same Grub that has been masked by a splashimage.

So no need to worry.

tredegar · 10-28-2007, 04:54 AM

Quote:

They all have gfxmenu (Splashimage) that shows a graphic screen.

Thanks for clearing that up.

uncle-c · 10-28-2007, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timberwolf90

UGH! Stupid windows. I don't even know why I keep it...

Would have to agree with that !!!!