Grub error 17, boot CD-Rom not starting, ACER laptop (no flppy).

[dariosicily]

HI all, I'm a rookie to Linux, I'm saying to all my friends how amazing it is but....
I was enjoing a dual boot XP / Ubuntu when I decided to clear out my pc from Windows and let Ubuntu take over ! Unfortunately, I made a mess with the partitions, and formatted the wrong one !!!
Now, there are lots of 3ds saying what people do afterwards, trying to install this and that : I just want to format everything and use Ubuntu 's boot disk to install the OS.

But, even the MS-Dos boot disk (even the one downloaded from bootdisk.com - I payed 2$ !!) is not working. Of course I changed BIOS' priorities, I even tryied with an USB key, but nothing !!!! It's just : GRUB> error 17 !!!!

Please folks, how can I get the MS-Dos' prompt to reset everything and install ubuntu ??

[kesman]

What do you need MS-dos for? Set your BIOS to boot from CD and insert ubuntu cd and use it to empty your HD.

[meierfra.]

If you are able to boot from Ubuntu CD, follow kesman's advice. Otherwise, I suggest to restore your MBR. Click on FixMBR in my signature for a variety of ways how to do that.