Can't boot due to disk errors
 

Hi,

I installed Mandriva last year on a dual boot with windows XP. After the install I found out there were no drivers for my sound card (creative X-FI, think they are available now). This meant I spent all my time on windows. On trying to boot into Mandriva now it fails due to a disk error, windows is fine.

I tried the live cd, f1 then rescue, but the command was not recognized. I'm on the live CD now. Is there a way to try to fix the disk problem with the live CD or other technique? I'm not opposed to doing a reinstall if it won't effect my windows install, is this possible?

Thanks

Hi, Sure, just go ahead and reinstall.

When the option comes up select "upgrade to (the same version you have)".

It will check the install(this does not fix everything, as it does not reinstall packages that are installed, only missing packages. So it won't reconfigure programs or partitions that it deems to be OK.

But you do get a chance at the end to check and reconfigure your sound, video, network and all that stuff.

If by some chance of bad luck (or a flaky partition table) the install freezes at the checking partitions part, which is just after you select "upgrade to (same version)" Then you may need to do a clean install.

As a side note, but still pertinent to this subject, have you thought about setting a partition just for home?

I have separate partitions for nearly everything, and any time I choose to re-install, or upgrade I don't have to format my home partition, as the installer mainly requires that /root and /usr be formatted before the install continues.

Your home dir is normally bigger than the others. Google it, there may be pages here at LQ that give a very good indication of partition sizes, if you leave /home till last, all the leftover space can be /home.

Cheers, and I hope you get this sorted.

regards, Glenn

ps, this information is based on "official free" installer, and may not be appropriate for Live One dvd. ;)

Thanks for the help. I went ahead an deleted my existing linux partitions and ended up installing ubuntu, which went fine and windows is playing nice. I feared I'd have to reinstall windows also. There are some issues, still no sound being the main one, but I think I need to do some more digging, haven't had much time to play about with the new install yet.

Good luck with ubuntu

regards, Glenn