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merlec
January 15th, 2011, 07:01 PM
Hi...I'm new to Ubuntu and decided to install on a desktop that didnt have critical data on it first. I basically have a generic desktop with a 1TB harddrive. I installed Ubuntu 10.10 alongside of Windows and everything seemed to go well except I saw a few errors fly by after it was installed and was re booting. I got the boot menu and booted into Ubuntu and for two days explored and set things up. My sound and, scanner, and printer (wireless canon MP990) won't work yet so I restarted and tried to boot into XP but I immediately get a black screen with a blinking cursor in the top left hand corner of the screen. I have tried serching the forum and didn't find anything specific on this but found some trouble shooting terminal commands to try so I am posting them below. Any suggestions would be great...Thank You

ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo fdisk -l

Disk /dev/sda: 1000.2 GB, 1000204886016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 121601 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: 0x00000001

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 1 84742 680682675 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda2 84742 121602 296078337 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 84742 120104 284045312 83 Linux
/dev/sda6 120104 121602 12032000 82 Linux swap / Solaris
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ ^C

ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo parted -l
Model: ATA WDC WD10EAVS-00M (scsi)
Disk /dev/sda: 1000GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: msdos

Number Start End Size Type File system Flags
1 32.3kB 697GB 697GB primary ntfs boot
2 697GB 1000GB 303GB extended
5 697GB 988GB 291GB logical ext4
6 988GB 1000GB 12.3GB logical linux-swap(v1)


Warning: Unable to open /dev/sr1 read-write (Read-only file system). /dev/sr1
has been opened read-only.
Error: /dev/sr1: unrecognised disk label

Quackers
January 15th, 2011, 07:25 PM
Welcome to UF.
Please go to the site below and download the boot script to your DESKTOP and then open up a terminal and run

sudo bash ~/Desktop/boot_info_script*.sh

This will produce a results.txt file on your desktop. Please copy the contents of that file and paste them in your next post between CODE tags. For CODE tags click on New Reply (not quick reply) and then click on the # symbol in the toolbar.
This will give a full overview of your current system.
Thanks.

http://bootinfoscript.sourceforge.net/

merlec
January 15th, 2011, 07:41 PM
Thank You for the quick response. Here is the results.txt-


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 (,msdos5)/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: Extended Partition
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:

sda5: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext4
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Ubuntu 10.10
Boot files/dirs: /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab /boot/grub/core.img

sda6: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

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

Drive: sda ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disk /dev/sda: 1000.2 GB, 1000204886016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 121601 cylinders, total 1953525168 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 1,361,365,412 1,361,365,350 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda2 1,361,367,038 1,953,523,711 592,156,674 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 1,361,367,040 1,929,457,663 568,090,624 83 Linux
/dev/sda6 1,929,459,712 1,953,523,711 24,064,000 82 Linux swap / Solaris


blkid -c /dev/null: __________________________________________________ __________

Device UUID TYPE LABEL

/dev/sda1 0ED8BAE6D8BACAEB ntfs
/dev/sda2: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sda5 8dfbccf0-cf2f-47b3-af74-2a5ed0542851 ext4
/dev/sda6 0298812b-d0cf-42cb-a19b-36bea106e31f swap
/dev/sda: PTTYPE="dos"

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

Device Mount_Point Type Options

/dev/sda5 / ext4 (rw,errors=remount-ro,commit=0)


================================ 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 Professional" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn

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

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

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

function load_video {
insmod vbe
insmod vga
}

insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 8dfbccf0-cf2f-47b3-af74-2a5ed0542851
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=640x480
load_video
insmod gfxterm
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 8dfbccf0-cf2f-47b3-af74-2a5ed0542851
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 2.6.35-24-generic-pae' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 8dfbccf0-cf2f-47b3-af74-2a5ed0542851
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-24-generic-pae root=UUID=8dfbccf0-cf2f-47b3-af74-2a5ed0542851 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-24-generic-pae
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.35-24-generic-pae (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 8dfbccf0-cf2f-47b3-af74-2a5ed0542851
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.35-24-generic-pae ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-24-generic-pae root=UUID=8dfbccf0-cf2f-47b3-af74-2a5ed0542851 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-24-generic-pae
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 8dfbccf0-cf2f-47b3-af74-2a5ed0542851
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 8dfbccf0-cf2f-47b3-af74-2a5ed0542851
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin console=ttyS0,115200n8
}
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry "Microsoft Windows XP Professional (on /dev/sda1)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 0ed8bae6d8bacaeb
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 ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
if [ -f $prefix/custom.cfg ]; then
source $prefix/custom.cfg;
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/41_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=8dfbccf0-cf2f-47b3-af74-2a5ed0542851 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
# swap was on /dev/sda6 during installation
UUID=0298812b-d0cf-42cb-a19b-36bea106e31f none swap sw 0 0

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


864.6GB: boot/grub/core.img
753.0GB: boot/grub/grub.cfg
697.7GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-24-generic-pae
864.6GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-24-generic-pae
697.7GB: initrd.img
864.6GB: vmlinuz

hansolo4949
January 15th, 2011, 08:02 PM
This might help: [code]sudo update-grub2[\code]

If it doesn't, how did you install Ubuntu? did you use the default options, or did you use the custom partitioning option?

merlec
January 15th, 2011, 08:44 PM
Hanssolo,
I just used the defaults for the most part. It gave me the option of accepting a default size for the Ubuntu partition and I dragged it to a little to make it about 300GB. I will try the code below and see what happens.

This might help: [code]sudo update-grub2[\code]

merlec
January 15th, 2011, 11:53 PM
Hansolo4949,
No change with your suggestion. I rand boot_info_script055.sh per Quackers rquest which I think showed an issue and I am waiting for a response on that.

Quackers
January 16th, 2011, 12:03 AM
Hi merlec, I don't see anything wrong with your boot script output. All of Windows boot files are present, the boot flag is set correctly, and Windows is being picked up by the os-prober.
Is this the first time you have tried to boot Windows since installing Ubuntu?

merlec
January 16th, 2011, 12:07 AM
Quackers,
Yes, it was the first time after installing Ubuntu. I have tried a few times since but only get the blinking cursor in the top left corner of the screen.

Quackers
January 16th, 2011, 12:19 AM
We can try re-installing grub from within your Ubuntu system with the following commands. Please copy/paste them into the terminal one at a time, pressing enter after each line.

sudo mount /dev/sda5 /mnt
sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt /dev/sda
If that runs without reporting errors please then run
sudo update-grub and watch to see that the Windows Loader is picked up when grub.cfg is run. If it is reboot and try booting Windows.

merlec
January 16th, 2011, 02:34 AM
Well, That didn't go too well. Everything went OK with no errors and after I rebooted, I get a command prompt..

error:file not found
grub rescue>_

I'm dead in the water now Haha... I thought this would go easy.
Is there a way to "rescue" ??

Quackers
January 16th, 2011, 03:05 AM
Please re-run the boot script from the live cd desktop and post the results.

merlec
January 16th, 2011, 03:23 AM
I just re-ran the last command that you gave me from the live CD. After doing it I realized that may not have been what you had asked. I am going to try to reboot then run the boot script.
What is that warning about Sector 32??

Here is what I ran from the live cd--
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo mount /dev/sda5 /mnt
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo mount /dev/sda5 /mnt
mount: /dev/sda5 already mounted or /mnt busy
mount: according to mtab, /dev/sda5 is already mounted on /mnt
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt /dev/sda
/usr/sbin/grub-setup: warn: Sector 32 is already in use by FlexNet; avoiding it. This software may cause boot or other problems in future. Please ask its authors not to store data in the boot track..
Installation finished. No error reported.

Quackers
January 16th, 2011, 03:26 AM
The boot script would be good, thanks.
Is this a Dell machine? Does it have Dell data safe?

merlec
January 16th, 2011, 03:29 AM
OK, I now get the boot menu again and can boot into Ubuntu but still not Win XP. I will try the boot script from the live CD next.

Odd thing that happened was I tried Winxp first and got the black screen with cursor, then rebooted and selected Ubuntu and got the same screen for only a few seconds...? More soon

merlec
January 16th, 2011, 03:30 AM
Sorry-- no its not a dell. Only a generic PC that I built.

Quackers
January 16th, 2011, 03:35 AM
You can run the script from the normal Ubuntu desktop. I suggested the live cd because I thought you couldn't boot Ubuntu any more

Quackers
January 16th, 2011, 03:38 AM
Do you have Adobe Photoshop installed in Windows?

merlec
January 16th, 2011, 04:00 AM
Here is the latest boot script file. No photoshop. The only software that I had was Scansnap software for my scanner and not too much else. I just subscribed to the free version of iDrive last week and I had a trial of Mosey online backup. nothing else that I can think of.





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 (,msdos5)/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: Extended Partition
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:

sda5: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext4
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Ubuntu 10.10
Boot files/dirs: /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab /boot/grub/core.img

sda6: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

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

Drive: sda ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disk /dev/sda: 1000.2 GB, 1000204886016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 121601 cylinders, total 1953525168 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 1,361,365,412 1,361,365,350 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda2 1,361,367,038 1,953,523,711 592,156,674 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 1,361,367,040 1,929,457,663 568,090,624 83 Linux
/dev/sda6 1,929,459,712 1,953,523,711 24,064,000 82 Linux swap / Solaris


blkid -c /dev/null: __________________________________________________ __________

Device UUID TYPE LABEL

/dev/sda1 0ED8BAE6D8BACAEB ntfs
/dev/sda2: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sda5 8dfbccf0-cf2f-47b3-af74-2a5ed0542851 ext4
/dev/sda6 0298812b-d0cf-42cb-a19b-36bea106e31f swap
/dev/sda: PTTYPE="dos"

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

Device Mount_Point Type Options

/dev/sda5 / ext4 (rw,errors=remount-ro,commit=0)


================================ 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 Professional" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn

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

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

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

function load_video {
insmod vbe
insmod vga
}

insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 8dfbccf0-cf2f-47b3-af74-2a5ed0542851
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=640x480
load_video
insmod gfxterm
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 8dfbccf0-cf2f-47b3-af74-2a5ed0542851
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 2.6.35-24-generic-pae' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 8dfbccf0-cf2f-47b3-af74-2a5ed0542851
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-24-generic-pae root=UUID=8dfbccf0-cf2f-47b3-af74-2a5ed0542851 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-24-generic-pae
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.35-24-generic-pae (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 8dfbccf0-cf2f-47b3-af74-2a5ed0542851
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.35-24-generic-pae ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-24-generic-pae root=UUID=8dfbccf0-cf2f-47b3-af74-2a5ed0542851 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-24-generic-pae
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 8dfbccf0-cf2f-47b3-af74-2a5ed0542851
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 8dfbccf0-cf2f-47b3-af74-2a5ed0542851
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin console=ttyS0,115200n8
}
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry "Microsoft Windows XP Professional (on /dev/sda1)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 0ed8bae6d8bacaeb
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 ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
if [ -f $prefix/custom.cfg ]; then
source $prefix/custom.cfg;
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/41_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=8dfbccf0-cf2f-47b3-af74-2a5ed0542851 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
# swap was on /dev/sda6 during installation
UUID=0298812b-d0cf-42cb-a19b-36bea106e31f none swap sw 0 0

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


864.6GB: boot/grub/core.img
907.6GB: boot/grub/grub.cfg
697.7GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-24-generic-pae
864.6GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-24-generic-pae
697.7GB: initrd.img
864.6GB: vmlinuz

Quackers
January 16th, 2011, 04:11 AM
I understand that the Flexnet in sector 32 is often caused by DRM protection used by some programs. They are not supposed to write in the mbr of a disc, but some do.
Your boot script looks normal to me.
We're going to need to fix the mbr with a Windows XP repair disc. Do you have one?
You need to enter the recovery console and then in the command prompt enter
fixmbr
It may also be worth running a chkdsk from the command prompt by entering
chkdsk C: /r
This should be run until no errors are reported.
Then reboot and, hopefully, Windows will then boot directly (no grub).
If that goes ok, you can then re-install grub from the live cd with the same messages as before.

merlec
January 16th, 2011, 04:25 AM
Quackers,
Thank You so much for your time. I dont have a windows repair disk but a friend at work on Monday will have one and hopefully can help. He has been using Ubuntu for years and was the one that got me started a few days ago. I'll post the results Monday evening.

Quackers
January 16th, 2011, 04:29 AM
Ok, and good luck :-)
You're welcome!

presence1960
January 16th, 2011, 04:33 AM
To replicate what fixmbr does from windows recovery console you can do this from Ubuntu:

Boot to Ubuntu. Open a terminal and run
sudo apt-get install lilo

Ignore the warning(s) and proceed.

Next from terminal run
sudo lilo -M /dev/sda mbr
This will install a generic windows bootloader on the MBR.

Reboot and if Windows is otherwise OK you will boot right to windows. Then you can reinstall GRUB.

Quackers
January 16th, 2011, 04:37 AM
Good thinking presence1960, I forgot about Lilo. :-) It's late here :wink: That's well worth a try :-)

presence1960
January 16th, 2011, 04:42 AM
Good thinking presence1960, I forgot about Lilo. :-) It's late here :wink: That's well worth a try :-)

Thanks, just trying to be of service :)

P.S. meierfra taught me that one!

Quackers
January 16th, 2011, 04:45 AM
Very welcome too :-)
merlec, if Lilo gets Windows booting, you can run a chkdsk from within Windows, see below. It may need one (at least!).
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265

merlec
January 16th, 2011, 06:41 PM
I followed the lilo suggestion and now I only get a blinking cursor when booting after the POST. No boot to anywhere. I think I'll try reinstalling grub as I was shown earlier in the thread. I'm guessing my winXP install may be history now so it may be a good time to reformat and give Win7 a try. I liked what I saw and was hoping it would work but without sound, printer, and scanner, I will still need windows.

merlec
January 16th, 2011, 06:58 PM
I tried reinstalling grub and got the following.. Tell me if I am totally hosed now and I'll just move on. Thanks for all the help!

ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo mount /dev/sda5 /mnt
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt /dev/sda
/usr/sbin/grub-setup: warn: Sector 32 is already in use by FlexNet; avoiding it. This software may cause boot or other problems in future. Please ask its authors not to store data in the boot track..
Installation finished. No error reported.
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo update-grub
/usr/sbin/grub-probe: error: cannot find a device for / (is /dev mounted?).
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$

wilee-nilee
January 16th, 2011, 07:22 PM
Here is a thread on flexnet, probably worth looking at.
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1661254

hansolo4949
January 16th, 2011, 07:42 PM
Hookayyy, you're computer is pretty screwed up. You should format it, then install the OSes again. Remember, windows first, then Ubuntu, so you don't screw anything up. For future reference, you should try the update-grub2 command first, then immedately afterward, if it doesn't work, boot from a recovery cd and rum fixmbr and fixboot. I have done that several times on this computer when I messed Ubuntu up:D, and it worked perfectly, and I just had to reinstall Ubuntu.

Quackers
January 16th, 2011, 07:52 PM
sudo update-grub cannot be run from the live cd desktop.
Grub should be re-installed now.

merlec
January 16th, 2011, 08:02 PM
Well, thats a problem since I can only boot into the live CD at this time. I followed willie-nillie advice and looked at the thread about sector 63 and since things are messed up anyway I went ahead and wiped sector 63 per the code listed. So how can I reinstall Grub? can I opt to install Ubuntu from the live CD again?? I'm getting weak but not ready to give up just yet!

Quackers
January 16th, 2011, 08:08 PM
Try re-installing grub again with those commands that you used before. As Flexnet should now be gone you should be ok. However, I suspect something is wrong with XP if Lilo couldn't boot it. Also, I suspect sector 32 will be written to again if you boot XP. Your choice :-) I might give 7 a go (in fact, I have :-) )

merlec
January 16th, 2011, 08:16 PM
After the last post, I rebooted and the grub boot menu was back. XP still no go but I was able to boot back into my installed Ubuntu. What a ride. A few errors about something missing flashed by but am now at least back into Ubuntu. I'll get my Ubuntu/Windows expert to see if he can restore xp and if not.. reformat and try it again.

Thanks to Quackers, presence1960, hansolo4949, and wilee-nilee, for all your help!

Quackers
January 16th, 2011, 08:20 PM
You're welcome. Good luck :-)

hansolo4949
January 16th, 2011, 09:07 PM
Sure! I am happy we helped, and as Quackers said, good luck! may the Ubuntu be with you! (unoriginal, I know, but what should I say, may the computer gremlins be with you?:D)