I installed Ubuntu and now I can't boot to windows XP.

can you paste the output of
cat /boot/grub/menu.lst

So we can try to adjust things in grub to fix your boot list.

Thanks

ken@kensHP:~$ cat /boot/grub/menu.lst
# menu.lst - See: grub(8), info grub, update-grub(8)
# grub-install(8), grub-floppy(8),
# grub-md5-crypt, /usr/share/doc/grub
# and /usr/share/doc/grub-doc/.

## default num
# Set the default entry to the entry number NUM. Numbering starts from 0, and
# the entry number 0 is the default if the command is not used.
#
# You can specify 'saved' instead of a number. In this case, the default entry
# is the entry saved with the command 'savedefault'.
# WARNING: If you are using dmraid do not change this entry to 'saved' or your
# array will desync and will not let you boot your system.
default 0

## timeout sec
# Set a timeout, in SEC seconds, before automatically booting the default entry
# (normally the first entry defined).
timeout 10

## hiddenmenu
# Hides the menu by default (press ESC to see the menu)
#hiddenmenu

# Pretty colours
#color cyan/blue white/blue

## password ['--md5'] passwd
# If used in the first section of a menu file, disable all interactive editing
# control (menu entry editor and command-line) and entries protected by the
# command 'lock'
# e.g. password topsecret
# password --md5 $1$gLhU0/$aW78kHK1QfV3P2b2znUoe/
# password topsecret

#
# examples
#
# title Windows 95/98/NT/2000
# root (hd0,0)
# makeactive
# chainloader +1
#
# title Linux
# root (hd0,1)
# kernel /vmlinuz root=/dev/hda2 ro
#

#
# Put static boot stanzas before and/or after AUTOMAGIC KERNEL LIST

### BEGIN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
## lines between the AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST markers will be modified
## by the debian update-grub script except for the default options below

## DO NOT UNCOMMENT THEM, Just edit them to your needs

## ## Start Default Options ##
## default kernel options
## default kernel options for automagic boot options
## If you want special options for specific kernels use kopt_x_y_z
## where x.y.z is kernel version. Minor versions can be omitted.
## e.g. kopt=root=/dev/hda1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8=root=/dev/hdc1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8_2_686=root=/dev/hdc2 ro
# kopt=root=UUID=f6a4032c-4593-4e9c-b4cd-2d5611143cda ro

## Setup crashdump menu entries
## e.g. crashdump=1
# crashdump=0

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=(hd0,1)

## should update-grub create alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. alternative=true
## alternative=false
# alternative=true

## should update-grub lock alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. lockalternative=true
## lockalternative=false
# lockalternative=false

## additional options to use with the default boot option, but not with the
## alternatives
## e.g. defoptions=vga=791 resume=/dev/hda5
# defoptions=quiet splash

## should update-grub lock old automagic boot options
## e.g. lockold=false
## lockold=true
# lockold=false

## Xen hypervisor options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenhopt=

## Xen Linux kernel options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenkopt=console=tty0

## altoption boot targets option
## multiple altoptions lines are allowed
## e.g. altoptions=(extra menu suffix) extra boot options
## altoptions=(recovery) single
# altoptions=(recovery mode) single

## controls how many kernels should be put into the menu.lst
## only counts the first occurence of a kernel, not the
## alternative kernel options
## e.g. howmany=all
## howmany=7
# howmany=all

## should update-grub create memtest86 boot option
## e.g. memtest86=true
## memtest86=false
# memtest86=true

## should update-grub adjust the value of the default booted system
## can be true or false
# updatedefaultentry=false

## ## End Default Options ##

title Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.20-15-generic
root (hd0,1)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.20-15-generic root=UUID=f6a4032c-4593-4e9c-b4cd-2d5611143cda ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.20-15-generic
quiet
savedefault

title Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.20-15-generic (recovery mode)
root (hd0,1)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.20-15-generic root=UUID=f6a4032c-4593-4e9c-b4cd-2d5611143cda ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.20-15-generic

title Ubuntu, memtest86+
root (hd0,1)
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin
quiet

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST

# This is a divider, added to separate the menu items below from the Debian
# ones.
title Other operating systems:
root

# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for a non-linux OS
# on /dev/hda1
title Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
root (hd0,0)
savedefault
makeactive
chainloader +1

ken@kensHP:~$

Ok, so what happens when you select

Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

During boot....does it give any type of error msg?

it tries to boot. the windows boot screen comes up for a little bit then a blue screen flashes by. (I can't pause it to read it).

Thanks for the update

It would seem that grub is pointing you to the correct partition for loading windows. this is a good thing.

Lets bot the pc again and select windows from the grub list then start pressing the F8 key(every one to two sec) to bring up the safemode selection screen
Then select safemode and see if you can boot to windows in safe mode...It may want to run a disk check...let it
If not schedule one and reboot to windows again.

How to schedule disk check once in safe mode.
Double-click My Computer, and then right-click the hard disk that you want to check.
2. Click Properties, and then click Tools.
3. Under Error-checking, click Check Now. A dialog box that shows the Check disk options is displayed,
4. Use one of the following procedures:
• To run Chkdsk in read-only mode, click Start.
• To repair errors without scanning the volume for bad sectors, select the Automatically fix file system errors check box, and then click Start.
• To repair errors, locate bad sectors, and recover readable information, select the Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors check box, and then click Start.
Note If one or more of the files on the hard disk are open, you will receive the following message:
The disk check could not be performed because the disk check utility needs exclusive access to some Windows files on the disk. These files can be accessed by restarting Windows. Do you want to schedule the disk check to occur the next time you restart the computer?
Click Yes to schedule the disk check, and then restart your computer to start the disk check.

Please report back on your progress.

the f8 key didn't do anything to start the safe mode. Windows XP tried to boot. I tried several times. I also tried the safe mode in grub. nothing brought up windows in safe mode.

We need to get to the safe mode screen can you try again here are some more clear instructions

Windows as part of a multiboot system

Use this method ONLY if you have multiple operating systems installed on your computer.

    * If the computer is running, shut down Windows, and then turn off the power
    * Wait 30 seconds, and then turn the computer on.
    * When the Boot loader menu (list of the available operating systems) appears, use the arrow keys on the keyboard to select the version Windows what you want
    * Press Enter, and then immediately begin tapping the F8 key. The Windows Advanced Options menu appears.
    * Scroll to and select the Safe mode menu item, and then press Enter.

Apparently I don't have multiple operating systems.

I apologize as i know how frustrating this can be...lets try the following.

If you are unable to run a check from Windows you can boot from a Windows XP CD and run it from the recovery console

1. Boot off of a Windows XP CD. Press R to get to the recovery console.
Welcome to Setup: To repair a Windows XP installation using Recovery console, press R.

2. Press 1 to log onto Windows then press Enter. You will need the administrative password to get into to command prompt. If the administrator password was blank press enter.
Which Windows installtion would you like to log onto (To cancel, press ENTER)?

3. Type: chkdsk /r

4. When the disk check is done type: Exit

5. Take the Windows XP CD out. Windows should start normally. The disk check results are not saved anywhere.

Will this loose information in windows?

No this will simply check the integrity of the drive.

This page outlines the process in detail
http://kb.wisc.edu/helpdesk/page.php?id=5097

Thank you. I need to sleep. I will try this tommorow. How do I contact you again?

I will look for your imput tommorow night. Hopefully the windows fix will help.

I am useing power quist boot magic and it works so fine to switch between Ubuntu and Xp
I suggest to you to use it as well.

thanks

Sounds good...if all else fails fresh windows install is always nice :) jk

Let me know how the check disk goes.

Thank You! the chkdsk /r solved the problem. Windows now boots!! I can get to my old files!!

I am very glad to hear it!

Congrats on your working system.