Help! I've really messed this up

[Ben B]

Hi,
I have installed ubuntu linux on my computer to dual boot with xp and followed all the instructions in the screencast on the ubuntu website and i'm able to connect to wireless internet and everything through Ubuntu. The problem is, now i can't get my XP to load! when i select XP on the GRUB menu it just says starting up and doesn't do anything else. I know i'll probably end up having to format my pc but i'm not to bothered about that as everything is stored on my second hard disk but i would be grateful if someone knew how i could fix it without a format and running all xp setup again.

Thanks.

Ben B

[southwell]

Hit F8 just after POST and try safe mode.

[dilli-theclaw]

Have a look here....
http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/483/x...covery_console

Bear in mind you'll overwrite grub - but it should fix your XP install.

[Aragorn]

Assuming your are reading/posting this from Ubuntu, type the following in a terminal window and post the results:

sudo fdisk -l

This will show whether there is still an NTFS partition on your main disk!

[Ben B]

Originally Posted by Jefferson T

Have a look here....
http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/483/x...covery_console

Bear in mind you'll overwrite grub - but it should fix your XP install.

Well that's buggered it! My computer refused to get past the bios screen! Have now formatted it and this time i have set up a 20GIG partition on my 30GIG hard drive for xp which will leave me 10GIG to re-install linux onto. I am currently on my 2nd PC posting this.

Thanks for trying anyway.

Ben B

another happy linux consumer

Originally Posted by zinglebarb

another happy linux consumer

Another disgruntled linux post from you

[ronald146m]

Another thread goin' downhill fast.

[Raistlin]

Let's not take this in the same direction as the last thread went please.

Problems dual-booting Linux and Windows XP are plentiful, well documented, usually easy to solve, and are usually split fairly evenly between being caused by Windows and caused by Linux.

9 times out of 10 it's a small mistake made in the install process that causes the problem, and it's an equally small change needed to fix it.

Once you've got the two re-installed (install XP first, then Ubuntu) you should find things start to run more smoothly. If you're still having problems you will probably find that the guys & gals at the Ubuntu Forums can get you sorted and up and running in no time at all - they're a friendly bunch, who don't usually get involved in OS flaming wars (from either side of the fence), and who are more interested in helping people decide if Ubuntu is right for them rather than getting evangelistic about it.

If you do post over there look for a member called Catsworth, tell him I said "Hi"

[xpod]

Anybody installing any OS for the first time/s can potentially encounter problems(try XP with no ethernet drivers,no knowlage and only one pc),especially if dualbooting multiple os`s....for many it`s probably the first dealings they`ve ever had with partitioning & multiple os`s so theres nothing wrong at all with making a complete mess of it(as long as you`ve backed up that important content of course.....ahem).

This place should help with many initial questions though
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/index.php
And dont forget....
http://ubuntuforums.org/

The thing about Ubuntu is that if you give it the bit of time & patience it does indeed deserve then it can make for extremely happy consumers.

they're a friendly bunch, who don't usually get involved in OS flaming wars

What........even in the "Linux Desktop readiness Thread"??

[Raistlin]

Originally Posted by xpod

What........even in the "Linux Desktop readiness Thread"??

I did say usually

[Ben B]

Originally Posted by Raistlin

9 times out of 10 it's a small mistake made in the install process that causes the problem, and it's an equally small change needed to fix it.

more like a big mistake, i had shrunk my partition so much that it had deleted system files. never mind i can now boot windows and linux from the boot menu easily but now i have to reinstall all those windows updates

[Raistlin]

Ah, I see. Yep, that'll do it.

Next time you create a dual-boot install it's best to start from scratch. Use something like the GPartEd LiveCD to set up the partitions and then do the install.

Still, lesson learned

Glad you're up and running again, shame about all those Windows updates though

[Ben B]

it's no problem really even though it has just downloaded 80 update, this may take a while lol

Glad you got it sorted mate