Ubuntu
grub2 package

Ubuntu upgrade killed xp boot, how to restore win master boot sector

Asked by John Randall

Hallo, I am a complete newbie to linux, so please no tech stuff above my head, just a step by step process to fix.

I have 2x hd's one with Ubuntu 11.10 and the other xp pro. I decided to downgrade 11.10 back to 11.4 and then the rot set in. Now the xp pro hd wont boot. How can i fix the MBR from within ubuntu or any other method.

Thanks

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Dillen Meijboom (dmeijboom) said : 		#1

When upgrading ubuntu it has probably installed grub in your hdd instead of the partition for Ubuntu.
With an Windows XP CD you can use the "fixmbr" tool to restore the Windows bootloader, and install grub only on the ubuntu partition.

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John Randall (m0els) said : 		#2

Hi Thanks for that. When I tried to fix the installation with the cd, it did a repair but when rebooted, it still tried to load Ubuntu. Is there a way to get into dos prompt with the cd, as I think its only options are a new installation or repair current installation.
Or how can I do the fixmbr ?
Thanks for the reply.

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John Randall (m0els) said : 		#3

Ok, I fixed the problem. I rebooted pc and tapped the F8 button which apparently loaded the cd and asked if I wanted to repair the disk, I selected R for repair. The pc then went into Dos and asked which partition I wanted to access which was 1: c:/ DRIVE
I then typed FIXMBR at the command prompt and then rebooted the pc.
Everthing was exactly where I left it in XP PRO, so am happy. Note to myself. Tell Ubuntu programmers to make a clear cut menu which will not allow Linux to delete or change another system MBR without consent in all situations, whether upgrading, downgrading or fresh install.

Thanks for the pointers chaps...'er gals too

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Dillen Meijboom (dmeijboom) said : 		#4

Sorry! I was at school so I couldn't explain how to use fixmbr in detail!
Glad you fixed it!