Can't boot Windows?

[fragzem]

hey guys.. I'm testing out 10.04 on one of my partitions, and I love it. I have been using it exclusively for a while now, I have not logged into Windows since! Really don't care about windows anymore!

However, yesterday I went to boot into windows... and I noticed the option to choose it is missing from my list! Help? Maybe I'm just not getting to the correct list? The list I get shows like 5 different modes and versions of Ubuntu and something called Windows Recovery (which does nothing), but that's it.

It's Windows Server 2008 Standard x64 R1 that I'm trying to get into.

-Pete

[ronnielsen1]

First, lets make sure you didn't copy over it. Can you list the output in a terminal of

sudo fdisk -l

[fragzem]

First, lets make sure you didn't copy over it. Can you list the output in a terminal of

sudo fdisk -l

Disk /dev/sda: 120.0 GB, 120034123776 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 14593 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x9eb61df0

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 1 7297 58613121 5 Extended
/dev/sda2 * 7298 14593 58605120 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda5 1 6993 56171209+ 83 Linux
/dev/sda6 6994 7297 2441848+ 82 Linux swap / Solaris

Disk /dev/sdb: 500.1 GB, 500107862016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 60801 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x725d2aba

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdb1 * 1 30401 244196001 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sdb2 30402 60801 244188000 f W95 Ext'd (LBA)
/dev/sdb5 30402 60801 244187968+ 7 HPFS/NTFS

Disk /dev/sdc: 1030 MB, 1030225920 bytes
4 heads, 3 sectors/track, 167680 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 12 * 512 = 6144 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x00000000

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdc1 21 167680 1005958+ 6 FAT16

[fragzem]

This is my Grub.cfg


#
# DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE
#
# It is automatically generated by /usr/sbin/grub-mkconfig using templates
# from /etc/grub.d and settings from /etc/default/grub
#

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
if [ -s $prefix/grubenv ]; then
load_env
fi
set default="0"
if [ ${prev_saved_entry} ]; then
set saved_entry=${prev_saved_entry}
save_env saved_entry
set prev_saved_entry=
save_env prev_saved_entry
set boot_once=true
fi

function savedefault {
if [ -z ${boot_once} ]; then
saved_entry=${chosen}
save_env saved_entry
fi
}

function recordfail {
set recordfail=1
if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then if [ -z ${boot_once} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi; fi
}
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set fd18593e-2de1-463c-90d6-6c0447a3bb91
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=640x480
insmod gfxterm
insmod vbe
if terminal_output gfxterm ; then true ; else
# For backward compatibility with versions of terminal.mod that don't
# understand terminal_output
terminal gfxterm
fi
fi
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set fd18593e-2de1-463c-90d6-6c0447a3bb91
set locale_dir=($root)/boot/grub/locale
set lang=en
insmod gettext
if [ ${recordfail} = 1 ]; then
set timeout=-1
else
set timeout=10
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/00_header ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###
set menu_color_normal=white/black
set menu_color_highlight=black/light-gray
### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-18-generic" --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set fd18593e-2de1-463c-90d6-6c0447a3bb91
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-18-generic root=UUID=fd18593e-2de1-463c-90d6-6c0447a3bb91 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-18-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-18-generic (recovery mode)" --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set fd18593e-2de1-463c-90d6-6c0447a3bb91
echo Loading Linux 2.6.32-18-generic ...
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-18-generic root=UUID=fd18593e-2de1-463c-90d6-6c0447a3bb91 ro single
echo Loading initial ramdisk ...
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-18-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-17-generic" --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set fd18593e-2de1-463c-90d6-6c0447a3bb91
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-17-generic root=UUID=fd18593e-2de1-463c-90d6-6c0447a3bb91 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-17-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-17-generic (recovery mode)" --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set fd18593e-2de1-463c-90d6-6c0447a3bb91
echo Loading Linux 2.6.32-17-generic ...
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-17-generic root=UUID=fd18593e-2de1-463c-90d6-6c0447a3bb91 ro single
echo Loading initial ramdisk ...
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-17-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-16-generic" --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set fd18593e-2de1-463c-90d6-6c0447a3bb91
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-16-generic root=UUID=fd18593e-2de1-463c-90d6-6c0447a3bb91 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-16-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-16-generic (recovery mode)" --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set fd18593e-2de1-463c-90d6-6c0447a3bb91
echo Loading Linux 2.6.32-16-generic ...
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-16-generic root=UUID=fd18593e-2de1-463c-90d6-6c0447a3bb91 ro single
echo Loading initial ramdisk ...
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-16-generic
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set fd18593e-2de1-463c-90d6-6c0447a3bb91
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set fd18593e-2de1-463c-90d6-6c0447a3bb91
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin console=ttyS0,115200n8
}
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry "Windows Recovery Environment (loader) (on /dev/sda2)" {
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,2)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 1c105a9d105a7da8
drivemap -s (hd0) ${root}
chainloader +1
}
### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###
# This file provides an easy way to add custom menu entries. Simply type the
# menu entries you want to add after this comment. Be careful not to change
# the 'exec tail' line above.
### END /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###

[ronnielsen1]

/dev/sda2 * 7298 14593 58605120 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sdb1 * 1 30401 244196001 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sdb2 30402 60801 244188000 f W95 Ext'd (LBA)
/dev/sdb5 30402 60801 244187968+ 7 HPFS/NTFS

Lots of windows type partitions. Can you access the file system of Windows from /mnt or from a live disk? I also forgot you were dealing with grub2. I don't know much about it.

[oldfred]

Have you run this to see if it finds it?
sudo update-grub

Lets run this to see where everything is at:

Boot Info Script courtesy of forum member meierfra
Page with instructions and download:
http://bootinfoscript.sourceforge.net/
Be sure to highlight and use code tags (# in edit panel) to make it easier to read when you post the results.txt.

[fragzem]

Hi Fred, and thank you! :)
This is an awesome little script. Here's the output:



Boot Info Script 0.55 dated February 15th, 2010

============================= Boot Info Summary: ==============================

=> Grub 2 is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda and looks on the same drive in
partition #5 for /boot/grub.
=> Grub 2 is installed in the MBR of /dev/sdb and looks on the same drive in
partition #5 for /boot/grub.
=> No boot loader is installed in the MBR of /dev/sdc

sda1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: Extended Partition
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:

sda5: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext4
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Ubuntu lucid (development
branch)
Boot files/dirs: /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab /boot/grub/core.img

sda6: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: swap
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:

sda2: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Grub 2
Boot sector info: Grub 2 is installed in the boot sector of sda2 and
looks at sector 410406 of the same hard drive for
core.img, but core.img can not be found at this
location. No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Boot file info: BootPart in the file /NST/nst_grub.mbr is trying to
chain load sector #126 on boot drive #1
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs: /boot.ini /bootmgr /Boot/BCD /ntldr /NTDETECT.COM

sdb1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Grub 2
Boot sector info: Grub 2 is installed in the boot sector of sdb1 and
looks at sector 410406 of the same hard drive for
core.img, but core.img can not be found at this
location. No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

sdb2: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: Extended Partition
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:

sdb5: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Grub 2
Boot sector info: Grub 2 is installed in the boot sector of sdb5 and
looks at sector 412886 of the same hard drive for
core.img, but core.img can not be found at this
location. According to the info in the boot sector,
sdb5 starts at sector 63.
Operating System: Windows Vista
Boot files/dirs: /Windows/System32/winload.exe

sdc1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: vfat
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

=========================== Drive/Partition Info: =============================

Drive: sda ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disk /dev/sda: 120.0 GB, 120034123776 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 14593 cylinders, total 234441648 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sda1 63 117,226,304 117,226,242 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 126 112,342,544 112,342,419 83 Linux
/dev/sda6 112,342,608 117,226,304 4,883,697 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda2 * 117,226,305 234,436,544 117,210,240 7 HPFS/NTFS


Drive: sdb ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disk /dev/sdb: 500.1 GB, 500107862016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 60801 cylinders, total 976773168 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sdb1 * 63 488,392,064 488,392,002 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sdb2 488,392,065 976,768,064 488,376,000 f W95 Ext d (LBA)
/dev/sdb5 488,392,128 976,768,064 488,375,937 7 HPFS/NTFS


Drive: sdc ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disk /dev/sdc: 1030 MB, 1030225920 bytes
4 heads, 3 sectors/track, 167680 cylinders, total 2012160 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sdc1 243 2,012,159 2,011,917 6 FAT16


blkid -c /dev/null: __________________________________________________ __________

Device UUID TYPE LABEL

/dev/sda1: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sda2 1C105A9D105A7DA8 ntfs
/dev/sda5 fd18593e-2de1-463c-90d6-6c0447a3bb91 ext4
/dev/sda6 117d5f60-4895-42cb-a10e-b621fd85c435 swap
/dev/sda: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sdb1 4A3E0BD73E0BBAC9 ntfs DRV2_VOL1
/dev/sdb2: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sdb5 280E17360E16FD0E ntfs DRV2_VOL2
/dev/sdb: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sdc1 3F5D-372C vfat
/dev/sdc: PTTYPE="dos"

============================ "mount | grep ^/dev output: ===========================

Device Mount_Point Type Options

/dev/sda5 / ext4 (rw,errors=remount-ro)
/dev/sdc1 /media/3F5D-372C vfat (ro,nosuid,nodev,uhelper=udisks,uid=1000,gid=1000, shortname=mixed,dmask=0077,utf8=1,flush)


=========================== sda5/boot/grub/grub.cfg: ===========================

#
# DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE
#
# It is automatically generated by /usr/sbin/grub-mkconfig using templates
# from /etc/grub.d and settings from /etc/default/grub
#

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
if [ -s $prefix/grubenv ]; then
load_env
fi
set default="0"
if [ ${prev_saved_entry} ]; then
set saved_entry=${prev_saved_entry}
save_env saved_entry
set prev_saved_entry=
save_env prev_saved_entry
set boot_once=true
fi

function savedefault {
if [ -z ${boot_once} ]; then
saved_entry=${chosen}
save_env saved_entry
fi
}

function recordfail {
set recordfail=1
if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then if [ -z ${boot_once} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi; fi
}
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set fd18593e-2de1-463c-90d6-6c0447a3bb91
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=640x480
insmod gfxterm
insmod vbe
if terminal_output gfxterm ; then true ; else
# For backward compatibility with versions of terminal.mod that don't
# understand terminal_output
terminal gfxterm
fi
fi
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set fd18593e-2de1-463c-90d6-6c0447a3bb91
set locale_dir=($root)/boot/grub/locale
set lang=en
insmod gettext
if [ ${recordfail} = 1 ]; then
set timeout=-1
else
set timeout=10
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/00_header ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###
set menu_color_normal=white/black
set menu_color_highlight=black/light-gray
### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-18-generic" --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set fd18593e-2de1-463c-90d6-6c0447a3bb91
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-18-generic root=UUID=fd18593e-2de1-463c-90d6-6c0447a3bb91 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-18-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-18-generic (recovery mode)" --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set fd18593e-2de1-463c-90d6-6c0447a3bb91
echo Loading Linux 2.6.32-18-generic ...
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-18-generic root=UUID=fd18593e-2de1-463c-90d6-6c0447a3bb91 ro single
echo Loading initial ramdisk ...
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-18-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-17-generic" --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set fd18593e-2de1-463c-90d6-6c0447a3bb91
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-17-generic root=UUID=fd18593e-2de1-463c-90d6-6c0447a3bb91 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-17-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-17-generic (recovery mode)" --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set fd18593e-2de1-463c-90d6-6c0447a3bb91
echo Loading Linux 2.6.32-17-generic ...
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-17-generic root=UUID=fd18593e-2de1-463c-90d6-6c0447a3bb91 ro single
echo Loading initial ramdisk ...
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-17-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-16-generic" --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set fd18593e-2de1-463c-90d6-6c0447a3bb91
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-16-generic root=UUID=fd18593e-2de1-463c-90d6-6c0447a3bb91 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-16-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-16-generic (recovery mode)" --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set fd18593e-2de1-463c-90d6-6c0447a3bb91
echo Loading Linux 2.6.32-16-generic ...
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-16-generic root=UUID=fd18593e-2de1-463c-90d6-6c0447a3bb91 ro single
echo Loading initial ramdisk ...
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-16-generic
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set fd18593e-2de1-463c-90d6-6c0447a3bb91
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set fd18593e-2de1-463c-90d6-6c0447a3bb91
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin console=ttyS0,115200n8
}
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry "Windows Recovery Environment (loader) (on /dev/sda2)" {
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,2)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 1c105a9d105a7da8
drivemap -s (hd0) ${root}
chainloader +1
}
### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###
# This file provides an easy way to add custom menu entries. Simply type the
# menu entries you want to add after this comment. Be careful not to change
# the 'exec tail' line above.
### END /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###

=============================== sda5/etc/fstab: ===============================

# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# Use 'blkid -o value -s UUID' to print the universally unique identifier
# for a device; this may be used with UUID= as a more robust way to name
# devices that works even if disks are added and removed. See fstab(5).
#
# <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>
proc /proc proc defaults 0 0
# / was on /dev/sdb5 during installation
UUID=fd18593e-2de1-463c-90d6-6c0447a3bb91 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
# swap was on /dev/sdb6 during installation
UUID=117d5f60-4895-42cb-a10e-b621fd85c435 none swap sw 0 0
/dev/scd0 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0

=================== sda5: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================


.2GB: boot/grub/core.img
3.3GB: boot/grub/grub.cfg
12.2GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-16-generic
7.6GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-17-generic
20.6GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-18-generic
1.8GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-16-generic
.5GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-17-generic
.7GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-18-generic
20.6GB: initrd.img
7.6GB: initrd.img.old
.7GB: vmlinuz
.5GB: vmlinuz.old

================================ sda2/boot.ini: ================================

;
;Warning: Boot.ini is used on Windows XP and earlier operating systems.
;Warning: Use BCDEDIT.exe to modify Windows Vista boot options.
;
[boot loader]
timeout=1
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOW S
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Windows XP Professional x64 Edition" /NOEXECUTE=OPTIN /FASTDETECT


sudo-update grub doesn't seem like it's finding it, no.


Generating grub.cfg ...
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-18-generic
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-18-generic
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-17-generic
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-17-generic
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-16-generic
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-16-generic
Found memtest86+ image: /boot/memtest86+.bin
Found Windows Recovery Environment (loader) on /dev/sda2

[oldfred]

Yesterday I saw the same thing and I have seen several others with grub installed in many partitions. Did you specify grub to go into partitions as well as the MBR?

Windows has part of its boot in the partition boot (PBR). Windows boot loader in the MBR (and grub when chainbooting) just jump the the windows file in the PBR to continue booting. You need to reinstall the boot files to the windows PBR.

While it is basically the same commands the versions are different between XP and Vista/Win7. You have to use the windows CD, get into the repair mode and run fixboot.

You have XP in sda2 and the boot partition of Win7 in sdb1 and win7 in sdb5. I have never seen the split of the windows partition with the second part partition in an extended partition when you only have two partitions. Windows just about has to have a primary to boot from so the sdb1 is the primary it uses to boot.

Check disk from CD - WinXP recovery console - menu shown with example
http://kb.wisc.edu/helpdesk/page.php?id=5097
To run the Recovery Console from the Windows XP startup disks or the Windows XP CD-ROM, follow these steps:
1. Insert the Windows XP startup disk into the floppy disk drive, or insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive, and then restart the computer.

Click to select any options that are required to start the computer from the CD-ROM drive if you are prompted.
2. When the "Welcome to Setup" screen appears, press R to start the Recovery Console.
3. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot computer, select the installation that you must access from the Recovery Console.
4. When you are prompted, type the Administrator password. If the administrator password is blank, just press ENTER.
5. At the command prompt, type this commands one at a time.

FIXMBR C: # This will overwrite grub do not use unless you need to directly boot windows & then reinstall grub
FIXBOOT C:
COPY [CDDRIVE]:\I386\NTLDR C:\
COPY [CDDRIVE]:\I386\NTDETECT.COM C:\
BOOTCFG /rebuild


Vista or 7 repair
Always run chkdsk and run again until there are no errors, that may be all that is required
How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927392
Repair often does not work, some say run 3 times others recommend the command line bootrec.exe

You will need to boot with your Vista/Windows 7 installation disk. Hit Enter at the language selection prompt then hit "R" to get to the repair section. You can then select the automatic boot repair tool, but it often will not do any good. Then select the command prompt (console) and type in the following commands:
BootRec.exe /fixmbr #updates MBR master boot record do not run if you still want grub
chkdsk /r
BootRec.exe /FixBoot #updates PBR partition boot
BootRec.exe /ScanOs
BootRec.exe /RebuildBcd

[fragzem]

It's Windows Server 2008 Standard x64.. I've had XP/7 and Vista all on there at some point, but I deleted them all (or thought I did)

So I'm assuming I'd follow the Vista instructions for repairing Server 2008? What happens when I don't know where the disc is? Am I SOL?

at this rate I'm ready to buy two new hard drives and just do everything over.. It's a mess in there, as you can all see!

[oldfred]

Not sure if it works with server.

If your PC did not come with a complete Vista or Win7 installation CD, you can download a Recovery Disc at the following links:
Windows Vista/7 Recovery Disc - for repairs only
http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/
http://neosmart.net/blog/2009/windows-7-system-repair-discs/
Vista will not repair XP(they create the boot sectors differently) but can run check disk.

This only mentions Vista & 7
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927392