dual boot:xp & ubuntu crash to grub rescue

how did you install ubuntu?
it shouldn't be installing to a folder.

In reply to question posed by Marcus Aurelius [because there is no obvious "reply button"]: Thanks very much for your prompt and kind response. Ubuntu netbook was installed in the usual way using the option of installing inside Windows. When I switched the computer on I would get the option of XP or Ubuntu. During the install Ubuntu prompted me to install to the "e" partition. After the installation, when I looked at the "e" partition in Windows, Ubuntu was there. There are a lot of other important folders in that partition as well that I cannot afford to delete or lose in a re-format. I am hoping that there is a way to navigate from grub rescue back to Windows.
PS: could someone please tell me how to reply to replies. There must be a more appropriate way than editing the question.

---- marcus aurelius <email address hidden> wrote:
> Your question #135988 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/135988
>
> Status: Open => Answered
>
> marcus aurelius proposed the following answer:
> how did you install ubuntu?
> it shouldn't be installing to a folder.
>
> --
> If this answers your question, please go to the following page to let us
> know that it is solved:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/135988/+confirm?answer_id=0
>
> If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go to the
> following page to enter your feedback:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/135988
>
> You received this question notification because you are a direct
> subscriber of the question.

You need to reinstall the windows bootloader (just the bootloader, not fiix the bootsector or anything else)

if you can boot a windows repair cd or usb to a repair command prompt, run "fixmbr".

that will fix windows...

Thanks,

I have been attempting to do that and have created an xp bootable usb stick following some directions I got from a tech. However although I have changed the bios I cannot seem to get the flash disk to be recognised as bootable.

I was hoping someone could tell me how to navigate out of the problem using grub rescue.

GK
---- bcbc <email address hidden> wrote:
> Your question #135988 on Wubi changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/wubi/+question/135988
>
> Status: Open => Answered
>
> bcbc proposed the following answer:
> You need to reinstall the windows bootloader (just the bootloader, not
> fiix the bootsector or anything else)
>
> if you can boot a windows repair cd or usb to a repair command prompt,
> run "fixmbr".
>
> that will fix windows...
>
> --
> If this answers your question, please go to the following page to let us
> know that it is solved:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/wubi/+question/135988/+confirm?answer_id=2
>
> If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go to the
> following page to enter your feedback:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/wubi/+question/135988
>
> You received this question notification because you are a direct
> subscriber of the question.

FYI, There is a major bug in grub that is impacting wubi installs. Once you get Windows booting, if you still have problems booting Ubuntu, post back here.
Symptoms range from:
Hanging with messages like 'unknown command: loadfont'
Computer reboots
End up at grub prompt> (not grub rescue prompt)

In general, it is safer to avoid updating packages grub-pc and grub-common for wubi installs.

PS the 'bug' you are seeing has been around since the release of 10.04 (April this year). It is avoidable by not selecting to install grub to the device /dev/sda when it prompts you. But the screen prompts and messages are confusing and many people make the mistake of installing it. Again, avoiding grub-pc and grub-common updates will prevent this from happening.

Thanks very much for that.
I have to say that in the end I followed the original advice I was given and I created an xp bootable sd card and then booted to Windows, copied whatever I could from the precious "e" partition - where my important folders and software & receipts live and then installed Windows Recovery Console.

I then re-booted and tried to use the repair option but it did not work out and I had to re-install Windows with the loss of all the drivers for sound, wireless &c and with the loss of the previously installed programs on the "c" partition - the primary windows partition.

It has been a valuable and painful lesson and I do not think I will make the netbook dual boot again. Fixing it has cost me 2 weeks and about $150 so far.
I have another lovely Toshiba tablet pc that only runs Ubuntu and that will remain my Ubuntu device.

Thanks to everyone who assisted and if you need any more details let me know.

GK

---- bcbc <email address hidden> wrote:
> Your question #135988 on Wubi changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/wubi/+question/135988
>
> bcbc posted a new comment:
> FYI, There is a major bug in grub that is impacting wubi installs. Once you get Windows booting, if you still have problems booting Ubuntu, post back here.
> Symptoms range from:
> Hanging with messages like 'unknown command: loadfont'
> Computer reboots
> End up at grub prompt> (not grub rescue prompt)
>
> In general, it is safer to avoid updating packages grub-pc and grub-
> common for wubi installs.
>
> PS the 'bug' you are seeing has been around since the release of 10.04
> (April this year). It is avoidable by not selecting to install grub to
> the device /dev/sda when it prompts you. But the screen prompts and
> messages are confusing and many people make the mistake of installing
> it. Again, avoiding grub-pc and grub-common updates will prevent this
> from happening.
>
> --
> You received this question notification because you are a direct
> subscriber of the question.

Thanks again,

Will faithfully save this advice and again thanks to everyone who offered their kind advice.

GK