Windows won't boot after playing around with Mandrake CD1 for only 30 Seconds!
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Windows won't boot after playing around with Mandrake CD1 for only 30 Seconds!
Hi everyone,
I'm a real Linux nubie and I have a real Linux problem.
My laptop was working just fine until I decided to explore the Linux world. I obtained Mandrake 10.0 official release (I was told it's the easiest and handle and the best looking) and put CD1 into the CD-ROM without thinking what's next. I rebooted the computer and there was the screen telling me to press [Enter] to continue installation or press [F1] for advanced choices. I pressed F1 and was sent to a DOS-like window, I tried to figure out what to do next without destroying my valuable data on windows but things were way beyond my comprehension so I grabbed the phone and called a friend of mine whom I thought will have a way out of this. He told me to be very careful and not to start the installation process for this could erase valuable data from my hard drive. He told me to try and type "linx4win" and install Linux alongside windows without removing the latter from my hard disk. Instead of doing that, I think I started the installation somehow. The only thing that came to my mind then is how to stop the upcoming disaster. I turned the laptop off....
The next time I turned the laptop on and removed the CD1 quickly before it runs there were these two lines.
Non-System disk or disk error
Replace and press any key when ready
get a windows boot cd or floppy, and boot from it.
while in DOS do : "fdisk /mbr"
This will install the windows bootloader again, and you ahould be able to boot. ("pheeew!")
You're no to clear on how far the installation went, but it could be hard for you to guess as you have no linux experience obviously :-)
If the installation process allready repartitioned your harddrive ,you are "up the creek without a paddle",
If file were allready written by the installer, your canoe would have also got holes :-((
You might get lucky with a hardisk recovery tool, or you can spend some cash then...
And next time (assuming you try again), the way to install Mandrake alongside your Windows (dual-boot) is to just press "Enter". By default, Mandrake will detect the Windows installation, and ask if it should install in unused space on your drive. It will then repartition your drive, without hurting your Windows installation, and then install in the newly-freed-up space. When it asks where to install the bootloader (Lilo, by default) just tell it to install to the Master Boot Record (MBR). It will recognize your Windows partition, and give you the option of booting into Mandrake or Windows at each boot.
Well guys, I don't know how to thank you for your help and guidance. I followed your instructions and it worked!. I recovered my Windows.
I will try to install Linux alongside Windows the way you guys desribed it, it should also work for this time I'll be more careful. (I might do some reading first, though).
Thanks again.
If you just want to explore the linux world a bit, try a live CD. They are full distributions that boot right off a CD without writing anything to your hard drive. Knoppix is a good one (can't remember the website off hand, but google it, you'll find it, it's the most popular live CD out there). Then if you like it, try installing a copy alongside Windows.
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