I have recently installed Partition Magic 8.0 on my laptop. I already had WinXp on it so I thought I'd like to try Linux. I think I accidentally installed some server components (I only had disk one of the installation) and now all I'm getting with Linux is a command prompt that asks me to log in. Anyway I disabled BootMagic to see if there was anything else I could do to help this problem. When LILO loaded, there was nothing obvious to be done so I started XP. It loaded fine for 10 seconds or so then it gave me this error: autochk not found-skipping AUTOCHECK. I think it's a bug in the registry and I have a good idea of what to do but I CAN'T GET THERE!!! What is the problem

I think with PM you can get to your XP part by booting from the PM disk. Try that.

I can't, I downloaded it off Kazaa Lite.

lol

1-Create a Rescue disk from partition magic
2-boot up from those disks and enabled the windows partiton

PS: if you didnt create the rescue disks, then you must install partion magic on a diff comp. to create those disks...

i made that mistake myself

well then. You're screwed. That should teach you to steal - j/k I burned my first iso with stolen software :^)

You can use the WindowsXP CD in order to repair your windows installation. Boot from the CD and select Repair.

As for Linux, I am not sure I understand the problem.
Are you able to login ?

Yes, and people have suggested running startx or something similar, but I get a fatal error. The only thing that might work is /usr/X11R6/bin/xf86config . Do any of you know if it works?

I can't create them because my laptop doesn't have a floppy drive. And as far as I know you can't put them on a disk.

then get a external floppy..its not that expensive.

i had the same problem and it was easy to fix with the rescue disks.

yesterday I had the same problem as LeftOfCool.

I found, that somehow (while installing lilo?) changed the windows-partition from FAT32 (partition type c) to hiddenFAT32 (partition type 1c).
So (at least on my computer) the drive letters of windows changed and the original drive c: went to the last drive letter (f:).
Apparently autochk is searched on the fixed start drive letter and not on the start drive itself independent to the drive letter.

Changing the partition type back to FAT32 did help to me. Maybe this information helps others, too -- even if I am quite late for LeftOfCool... :o(

use ur cd to boot to linux and
try to install a grub

I have the same problem as you eschmann! I installed GRUB and now my (C:) is becoming (G:). I get a "autochk not found" and a BSOD while booting XP. But I use NTFS. Maybe there is hiddenNTFS too... The problem is that i don't know how to change partition type without reformatting (I want to keep my files!!!).
So help me please...

(versions: Debian 3.0r1 - kernel 2.4.22 - Grub 0.93 - WinXP pro)

and sorry for my bad english!

The easiest way to dual-boot Linux and XP will never change.

Partition (or use two hard drives, but i'll explain the solo hd method... two hd's should be simple enough)

Let's say you have a 20GB and wanna go 10-10.
Use a windows boot disk and fdisk your HD.

Chose FAT32 if you plan to share between OS's or if you want the NTFS filesystem(only w/XP) then you can do that, too.
Choose about 10000MB for the size, and leave the rest of the space alone (Disk Druid will take care of this later).
Now, format, and install Windows.
After that's done boot with the Linux CD, (Let's say your using RH), put Installation 1 in. Install like you normally would.
I also would recommend GRUB if you plan on Dual-booting (LILO is better with Linux alone.. it does stand for Linux Loader).
Don't forget to make a /swap and a /boot partition in the remaining space as well. Linux should pick up the Windows booting sequence and place (DOS) as one of your options when booting.

Hope this can help?

Sorry /dev/brain... you can't partition without formatting... (that is if you plan on using the partition)