Linux crashed my PC!

UrBaN · Post by **UrBaN** » 28 Jul 2008, 10:06

Ok so not really but at least it got your attention.

I had Ubuntu UE installed on a 40GB Slave drive in my PC, with my XP Pro install on my 80GB Master.

With Ubuntu installed I always boot into the OS selection menu which defaults to Ubuntu, which never managed to boot. So (possibly stupidly) I formatted the 40GB drive so that I could have my space back, as I wasn't (couldn't) use Ubuntu.

Since doing that, the PC fails to boot. It says "Loading Grub bootloader" or similar, and then gives me ERROR 17.

I'm not sure how ti fix this short of reinstalling XP (not really an option).

Help please?

WAJeff · Post by **WAJeff** » 28 Jul 2008, 10:19

Try and download this and run a repair on the GRUB boot loader

But you say you formatted the drive/partition....
Are you still using Windows on another partition, or HDD?

UrBaN · Post by **UrBaN** » 28 Jul 2008, 10:22

Thanks.

Well, I deleted the Linux partitions from within Windows. Then shutdown as I went out. When I came back and booted, I got that error...

Can I not simply edit the boot file on my XP (master) HDD to exclude Linux references? IF so..how?

DJT · Post by **DJT** » 28 Jul 2008, 10:28

Use the Windows XP CD to repair it

I had a prob like that with Vista and XP dual booting, and fixed it with the vista CD, same thing i think

But when i had this prob with linux a few months ago, i ended up losing my data and having to format. Hope you have better luck man

UrBaN · Post by **UrBaN** » 28 Jul 2008, 10:30

DJT wrote:Use the Windows XP CD to repair it

As in a repair install? I'd need to Belarc for my key as it isn't on my case, which I can't do until I can boot into XP...

DJT wrote:But when i had this prob with linux a few months ago, i ended up losing my data and having to format. Hope you have better luck man

8O Hopefully that won't be the case..

WAJeff · Post by **WAJeff** » 28 Jul 2008, 10:34

UrBaN wrote:Thanks.

Well, I deleted the Linux partitions from within Windows. Then shutdown as I went out. When I came back and booted, I got that error...

Can I not simply edit the boot file on my XP (master) HDD to exclude Linux references? IF so..how?

Read my first post, and download that little app, burn it to CD, and repair the GRUB. Theres an option for Windows there too

UrBaN · Post by **UrBaN** » 28 Jul 2008, 10:37

OKi doki...how would GRUB still be in existence if I deleted all partitions from the Linux HDD?

SO basically, burn to CD, repair Windows boot file, all sorted?

WAJeff · Post by **WAJeff** » 28 Jul 2008, 10:45

Dude, the GRUB is still there, hence the GRUB Boot Loader errors....

So, you download the app, burn it to CD, boot from that CD, look at the options that it gives you, run the Windows repair and you all good

For the third time

UrBaN · Post by **UrBaN** » 28 Jul 2008, 10:46

<<<< n000000b m'kay! Speak in a slow, monosyllabic fashion and we should be fine

WAJeff · Post by **WAJeff** » 28 Jul 2008, 10:56

LOL dude, its all good.
You just gotta play around, best way to figure things out in Linux

UrBaN · Post by **UrBaN** » 28 Jul 2008, 11:01

See I have no internet access at home so it makes things difficult. Anyway thanks, will try that.

Ark · Post by **Ark** » 28 Jul 2008, 11:07

Won't running "fixmbr" sort it out?

Post by **Kronos** » 28 Jul 2008, 11:10

why would you even consider still using grub if you're not going to use linux?

All you need to do is to run setup from the windows XP CD.
Choose Repair.
Choose Repair using recovery console.
log in as administrator in the recovery console
type "fixmbr" to repair the master boot record (which is what is gone since you deleted the partition), et voila. you windows will boot again.

WAJeff · Post by **WAJeff** » 28 Jul 2008, 11:54

Kronos wrote:why would you even consider still using grub if you're not going to use linux?

All you need to do is to run setup from the windows XP CD.
Choose Repair.
Choose Repair using recovery console.
log in as administrator in the recovery console
type "fixmbr" to repair the master boot record (which is what is gone since you deleted the partition), et voila. you windows will boot again.

Or you can do that. The app I recommended doesnt use GRUB if you fix the Windows MBR

UrBaN · Post by **UrBaN** » 28 Jul 2008, 15:26

Thank you all very much! If it works I'll PM you a Rickroll for your efforts

Post by **Stuart** » 28 Jul 2008, 15:43

When in doubt, use a REAL OS!

M1K3 · Post by **M1K3** » 28 Jul 2008, 15:43

Ark wrote:Won't running "fixmbr" sort it out?

It will. Run the windows CD, run the 1st repair option and... fixmbr.