multiboot problems and a question

[hbob]

Recently I installed Mandrake 9.2 on a second hard drive.

And of course it's bootloader was installed (lilo).

Now I want Mandrake off my machine but I first need to
repair the bootloader.

I am using a upgrade Windows XP and I am using the fat
32 file system (I network with three other windows
machines, this one is the only with XP).

I have Windows 98 se (I used to upgrade to XP) and
Windows ME still on cd.

My problem is I installed XP and after doing so the
Windows XP cd was never found again (I think it went to
the trash can by accident, what a accident, it should
have been the Mandrake cd.

Anyway can I fdisk my mbr with a ME bootfloppy and still
boot back to Windows XP sense I'm still using the fat 32
file system ?

Without the XP cd.

I know some day I'll have to buy the cd again.

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

You can try fdisk /mbr if Linux has been removed, but there are no
guarantees. You may need to rebuild the boot files, and for that you will
need the now-gone CD. More details:

How to Remove the Linux LILO Boot Manager
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=315224

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Windows
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

 

[hbob]

-----Original Message-----
Hi,

You can try fdisk /mbr if Linux has been removed, but there are no
guarantees. You may need to rebuild the boot files, and for that you will
need the now-gone CD. More details:

How to Remove the Linux LILO Boot Manager
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=315224

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Windows
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

The reason I asked this question, is because I had
Mandrake on a machine with ME and the fix was a fdisk/mbr
and lilo was gone and all that was left was to delete
Mandrake from the second hard drive.

note I tried just removing the hard drive once and the pc
would not boot at all, ( I made sure I changed the drive
with ME to master) deleting Mandrake may have the same
reaction (if the bootloader was to look for both systems
and seen just see the one).

I was not sure even running the fat 32 file system if
the ME bootdisk would point the pc in the right direction,

IE

does the fat 32 Windows XP boot from the same files
or is just telling the pc to boot to c: good enought and
Windows XP would do the rest (as far as starting the
system)?

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

A lot depends on where your boot files are located. If they are on the drive
containing WinXP, then fdisk /mbr should be sufficient. If they are on the
drive containing Mandrake and you remove it, then you will need to repair
the bootloader (fixmbr).

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Windows
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

 

[Guest]

-----Original Message-----
Hi,

A lot depends on where your boot files are located. If they are on the drive
containing WinXP, then fdisk /mbr should be sufficient. If they are on the
drive containing Mandrake and you remove it, then you will need to repair
the bootloader (fixmbr).

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Windows
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

Yes

My primary drive is the drive Windows XP is on and it is
also my c: drive
Mandrake was installed on what used be my I: drive
first partition on the second hard drive.(slave)

and Your answer brings me to another question, can I
confirm in any way that both ME and XP have the boot
files in the same location (reason if I mess up I have to
run out and buy a new os).
I have both systems running on two different pc's,
in my network.

And how might I backup my current bootloader to fall
back on.