Dual boot - Windows XP Ubuntu 10.04 - Can't boot XP

[frankie15]

I just got a Toshiba Mini NB305-310 and tried to install Ubuntu 10.04 on it using the .iso file on a flash drive. When I try to boot into Windows XP, the loading screen comes up for a second, flashes blue, then restarts the computer. I'm able to boot up in Ubuntu, but it takes a LONG time with the screen black before it goes to the Ubuntu loading screen.

I saw in an earlier post that it's helpful to post the output of the Boot Info Script, so I've posted it below. I'm new to the forums, so if I'm doing anything wrong, please let me know:

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.

sda1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Windows XP
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System: Windows XP
Boot files/dirs: /boot.ini /ntldr /NTDETECT.COM

sda2: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: vfat
Boot sector type: Windows XP: Fat32
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs: /ntldr /NTDETECT.COM

sda3: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda5: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext4
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Ubuntu 10.04 LTS
Boot files/dirs: /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab /boot/grub/core.img

sda6: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sdc: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: vfat
Boot sector type: Windows XP: Fat32
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

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

Drive: sda ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disk /dev/sda: 160.0 GB, 160041885696 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 19457 cylinders, total 312581808 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 77,656,837 77,656,775 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda2 288,720,180 312,576,704 23,856,525 1c Hidden W95 FAT32 (LBA)
/dev/sda3 77,658,110 288,718,847 211,060,738 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 77,658,112 282,765,311 205,107,200 83 Linux
/dev/sda6 282,767,360 288,718,847 5,951,488 82 Linux swap / Solaris


blkid -c /dev/null: __________________________________________________ __________

Device UUID TYPE LABEL

/dev/sda1 EC041A2D0419FB72 ntfs TI105829P0B
/dev/sda2 F83E-CC56 vfat HDDRECOVERY
/dev/sda3: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sda5 e0e0638c-442d-453b-90df-3617cf4cf53a ext4
/dev/sda6 491456ce-5bfa-41f7-8ddb-5f547775c8d8 swap
/dev/sda: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sdc 54AA-D5D6 vfat
error: /dev/sdb: No medium found

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

Device Mount_Point Type Options

/dev/sda5 / ext4 (rw,errors=remount-ro)
/dev/sdc /media/54AA-D5D6 vfat (rw,nosuid,nodev,uhelper=udisks,uid=1000,gid=1000, shortname=mixed,dmask=0077,utf8=1,flush)


================================ sda1/boot.ini: ================================

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOW S
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

=========================== 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 ${boot_once} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi; fi
}
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set e0e0638c-442d-453b-90df-3617cf4cf53a
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=640x480
insmod gfxterm
insmod vbe
if terminal_output gfxterm ; then true ; else
# For backward compatibility with versions of terminal.mod that don't
# understand terminal_output
terminal gfxterm
fi
fi
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set e0e0638c-442d-453b-90df-3617cf4cf53a
set locale_dir=($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 2.6.32-21-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set e0e0638c-442d-453b-90df-3617cf4cf53a
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-21-generic root=UUID=e0e0638c-442d-453b-90df-3617cf4cf53a ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-21-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-21-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 e0e0638c-442d-453b-90df-3617cf4cf53a
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.32-21-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-21-generic root=UUID=e0e0638c-442d-453b-90df-3617cf4cf53a ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-21-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 e0e0638c-442d-453b-90df-3617cf4cf53a
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set e0e0638c-442d-453b-90df-3617cf4cf53a
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin console=ttyS0,115200n8
}
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry "Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition (on /dev/sda1)" {
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set ec041a2d0419fb72
drivemap -s (hd0) ${root}
chainloader +1
}
menuentry "Windows NT/2000/XP (on /dev/sda2)" {
insmod fat
set root='(hd0,2)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set f83e-cc56
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 nodev,noexec,nosuid 0 0
# / was on /dev/sda5 during installation
UUID=e0e0638c-442d-453b-90df-3617cf4cf53a / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
# swap was on /dev/sda6 during installation
UUID=491456ce-5bfa-41f7-8ddb-5f547775c8d8 none swap sw 0 0

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


123.6GB: boot/grub/core.img
80.7GB: boot/grub/grub.cfg
123.6GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-21-generic
123.6GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-21-generic
123.6GB: initrd.img
123.6GB: vmlinuz
=======Devices which don't seem to have a corresponding hard drive==============

sdb

[darkod]

Did you use the ubuntu installer to resize the XP partition? Sometimes XP is sensitive to this, and can get corrupted.

Also, in the results you can see WinXP Home reported on /dev/sda1 and Windows NT/200/XP reported on /dev/sda2, your recovery partition I guess.

You need to select the /dev/sda1. If the loading fails as you say, try repairing with the xp install cd.

Boot with it, and when it asks if you want to hit Enter to install or R for Recovery Console, hit Enter. Accept the license agreement and there should be another screen detecting your existing XP and offering the possibility to repair it with R. Image attached.

If that helps, the computer will start booting XP directly because grub2 on the MBR was overwritten with windows bootloader. Boot XP few times to make sure it's working fine, and then to reinstall grub2 to the MBR boot with the ubuntu cd in live mode, and in terminal do:

sudo mount /dev/sda5 /mnt
sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt/ /dev/sda

That should sort it out. You also might need to run in ubuntu:

sudo update-grub

if the above doesn't work.

[frankie15]

Thanks for the quick reply! I did use the ubuntu installer - didn't know it could cause issues. You said /dev/sda2 is a recovery partition, and a google search agrees. Can I use that to reinstall XP? It's a netbook, so I don't have a CD drive or an XP Install CD.

[frankie15]

Check that - I tested it just to see what came up. 2 errors, then computer restarted:

C:\BIN\ERRORDAILOG.EXE

Windows cannot find 'C:\BIN\ERRORDIALOG.EXE'. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again. To search for a file, click the STart button, and then click Search.

C:\BIN\BOOTPRIORITY.EXE

Windows cannot find 'C:\BIN\BOOTPRIORITY.EXE'. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again. To search for a file, click the STart button, and then click Search.

Suggestions?

[darkod]

Uhhhh... even if you had a cd drive, XP is difficult to repair without a disc. One option, which I rarely recommend, is downloading the image from a torrent but using your CD-KEY from the sticker under your netbook.

It's a bit of a gray area but since you paid for a license, it's not piracy in a way.

Otherwise, if the recovery partition failed to start, I'm not sure what your options are. Let me look around a bit.

[darkod]

OK, one thing to try. There is a command in ubuntu to do a basic check on ntfs partitions, and it also schedules a full check on next windows boot. Hopefully when you try to boot XP after it, windows tools will take over.

To have the command available you have to install the ntfsprogs package in ubuntu:

sudo apt-get install ntfsprogs

Run it on /dev/sda1 (your XP partition) with:

sudo ntfsfix /dev/sda1

Restart and select XP Home on /dev/sda1, and hopefully the windows chkdsk will kick in. It might or might not help. :)

[frankie15]

OK, tried the ntfsprogs method. At first it failed to mount the volume, but made some corrections. Running it again showed it mount the volume correctly. Restarting and selecting windows produced the same result: flashed blue screen and forced restart. Every time I pull up windows, it gives me the safe mode options b/c it shut down unexpectedly. Does it matter which of these options I select?

Also, when you say you hesitate to recommend downloading a Windows .iso, is it because of questionable legality or questionable content?

Thanks again for all the help so far.

[emmerc]

You could try the solution provided at:

http://www.techzonez.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3975

They tell you how to use the recovery console from the WinXp installer and once you are in the recovery console you select the windows installation you want to fix and you will run fixmbr and it should be enough to run your WinXP again. Then you might have to restore the GRUB so you might have the ability to dual boot, have a look into: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RecoveringUbuntuAfterInstallingWindows

I hope this might help you

[b.bill.p]

I had to run XP recovery tools to fix my XP hard drive after installing Ubuntu 10.04

insert the XP disk
Power Up to begin executing the CD
Run until a small menu comes up to Install or Repair (no serial # required)
Select R to repair
delay
Select Windows to repair
delay
DOS command Line appears
type Help to see all the available commands
run c:\chkdsk /p to repair files and folders
run c:\fixmbr to rewrite the master boot record taking time to read the caution.

I had to do this routine on a IBM Thinkpad 600E and all of my files were OK but I sure didn't try to install Ubuntu again, for that I chose another PC and loaded Ubuntu onto a blank hard drive.

Most new systems offer the customer the chance to order recovery disks or make a full set of recovery disks off of the hard drive. The instructions vary so read the documentation that comes with the PC. Of course this must be executed B4 the crash.

Bill ...

[jelabarre]

I'm finding much the same issue with 10.10 and XP. I installed XP to a clean drive, using about 40% of the drive, and it booted and ran fine. Then I installed Ubuntu 10.10, that booted and loaded just fine, and added the XP partition to Grub2.

Then I tried switching back over to the XP side. It failed with Windows could not start because the NTOSKRNL.EXE is missing, or corrupt." I tried copying in a copy of the file, still failed the same way. Tried restoring the XP boot loader with fixboot & fixmbr, which made the XP partition boot just fine. But as soon as I reinstalled Grub, the XP boot fails again.

If it wasn't that the system has inadequate memory for that purpose, I'd just run any XP tasks in a virtualbox VM.