LinuxQuestions.org - [SOLVED] Boot problems

- Linux - Newbie (https://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-newbie-8/)

- - Boot problems (https://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-newbie-8/boot-problems-862577/)

Hi!

I was asked to remove the Linux partition off a computer that had a Windows XP partition as well.
I used a GParted LiveCD.
I thought there might be problems, so yeah, no great surprise when after the Linux removal it couldn't boot into Windows. (You could always tell me what to check and change before partitioning to prevent this kind of problem, because I really don't know).
I saw on a different thread, that one can use a LiveCD to change a few Grub settings or something, since I don't think the Windows partition itself is damaged.
However, the DVD-ROM isn't picked up by the computer. I want it to boot off the LiveCD, but no success. (And I have changed the boot order, since that is how I got the GParted to work in the first place) I checked the LiveCD on another computer and it is not damaged.

Any suggestions or ideas?

Hi,

If you removed Gnu/Linux then you could use the M$ Xp install disk to boot the machine then do a 'fixboot', 'fixmbr' or 'fdisk /mbr' (note that is the M$ fdisk).
:hattip:

The first thing you need to do is get a disc to boot... do you get a POST beep when you start the box up... ? have you tried another distro or two... and make sure as you have stated that the CD/DVD is the first boot device in the BIOS.

Hi!

Thanks!
I put in the XP installation disk, but somehow it didn't want to go into the recovery console. It moaned about not being able to detect a mass storage device. It's a little Acer Aspire one laptop, and somehow it missed the harddrive. Oh well...
Playing around with the XP CD seemed to somehow help the computer to improve its relationship with the portable DVD drive, as it finally recognized the GParted CD and booted from it. And from there I did:

Code:

grub

root (hd0,0)

setup (hd0)

makeactive

chainloader +1

It spat out a few errors (perhaps sd0 was a better choice) but I fiddled around and changed the "parameters" and decided to reboot and see what would happen. (Hoping and praying that it would recognize the GParted CD again, if the computer was actually serious about the errors).

Anyways, it managed to boot into Windows!
Hallelujah!

;-)

Thank you for your help!