Win XP won't start

[Dalziel]

Hi
I had set up my computer to dual boot windows 7 and XP. Later deleted
the windows 7 folder but now the computer hangs up with Grub error 17.
Realize now that I should have found another way to remove win 7!!
I guess that the mbr or loader or NTLDR is corrupt. The repair
facility on the XP installation CD did not work.
My DOS isc does not contain any 'fix /mbr'' else I would have tried
that.
Is there a way to recover this installation please?
Thanks

Dalziel

 

[SC Tom]

Hi
I had set up my computer to dual boot windows 7 and XP. Later deleted
the windows 7 folder but now the computer hangs up with Grub error 17.
Realize now that I should have found another way to remove win 7!!
I guess that the mbr or loader or NTLDR is corrupt. The repair
facility on the XP installation CD did not work.
My DOS isc does not contain any 'fix /mbr'' else I would have tried
that.
Is there a way to recover this installation please?
Thanks

Dalziel

Start Recovery Console from the XP installation CD. Read this article on how
to do it, and the commands that are available to you (such as fixboot and
fixmbr) once it has started:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058

 

[Dalziel]

Do you have a WinXP install CD?  If so then you can use the recovery
console to do the fixboot or fixmbr commands.  If you don't have a
install CD you can go here and create your own recovery console CD using
the floppy based install disks:

http://tips.vlaurie.com/2006/05/recovery-console-for-those-without-an...

Hope this helps...

--

Roy Smith
Windows 7 Professional
Thunderbird 3.1.9
Monday, April 18, 2011 6:09:25 AM

Thanks for the suggestions.I had already tried that with the intention
of running fixmbr and then fixboot. Unfortunately the recovery console
CD will not load as it comes up with some error about hard drive
error. I know the drive is fine but cannot access it. When booting
from the HD I get grub coming up with error 17.
I tried booting from a DOS disc but there is no fixmbr there. Also it
does not see drive C;
It looks like I shall have to bite the bullet and reinstall from
scratch. Unless someone comes up with another solution?
Thanks

 

[pjp]

Do you have a WinXP install CD? If so then you can use the recovery
console to do the fixboot or fixmbr commands. If you don't have a
install CD you can go here and create your own recovery console CD using
the floppy based install disks:

http://tips.vlaurie.com/2006/05/recovery-console-for-those-without-an...

Hope this helps...

--

Roy Smith
Windows 7 Professional
Thunderbird 3.1.9
Monday, April 18, 2011 6:09:25 AM

Thanks for the suggestions.I had already tried that with the intention
of running fixmbr and then fixboot. Unfortunately the recovery console
CD will not load as it comes up with some error about hard drive
error. I know the drive is fine but cannot access it. When booting
from the HD I get grub coming up with error 17.
I tried booting from a DOS disc but there is no fixmbr there. Also it
does not see drive C;
It looks like I shall have to bite the bullet and reinstall from
scratch. Unless someone comes up with another solution?
Thanks

A warning bell is going off when you state "cannot see Drive C". NTFS and
old DOS, I'd expect that though but a Windows boot cd should be able to see
and access it. Assuming pc gives BIOS info when it starts (e.g. not some
stupid company logo) does it show the BIOS has detected the drive? If need
be, go into the BIOS itself and check.

You might also perhaps want to check the drive by using one of the Linux
live cd's. Booting with Ubuntu should allow you to display the drive and
it's contents to see what's going on. Might be a simply editing of the
boot.ini file would cure problem?

 

[Dalziel]

Thanks for the suggestions.I had already tried that with the intention
of running fixmbr and then fixboot. Unfortunately the recovery console
CD will not load as it comes up with some error about hard drive
error. I know the drive is fine but cannot access it. When booting
from the HD I get grub coming up with error 17.
I tried booting from a DOS disc but there is no fixmbr there. Also it
does not see drive C;
It looks like I shall have to bite the bullet and reinstall from
scratch. Unless someone comes up with another solution?
Thanks

A warning bell is going off when you state "cannot see Drive C". NTFS and
old DOS, I'd expect that though but a Windows boot cd should be able to see
and access it. Assuming pc gives BIOS info when it starts (e.g. not some
stupid company logo) does it show the BIOS has detected the drive? If need
be, go into the BIOS itself and check.

You might also perhaps want to check the drive by using one of the Linux
live cd's. Booting with Ubuntu should allow you to display the drive and
it's contents to see what's going on. Might be a simply editing of the
boot.ini file would cure problem?

Hi
Yes, BIOS shows the drive. Tried booting with a live Ubuntu CD. Starts
to load, shows the drive but then hangs up and I hve to restart the
computer.
However, today i tried booting as normal and, lo and behold, XP
started up as per normal! am now backing up all my data files before I
lose anything.
Bit apprehensive not knowing what is going on but glad it now
works....hopefully.
Many thanks for taking the time and trouble to respond. Much
appreciated.

dalziel

 

[BillW50]

In

Thanks for the suggestions.I had already tried that with the intention
of running fixmbr and then fixboot. Unfortunately the recovery console
CD will not load as it comes up with some error about hard drive
error. I know the drive is fine but cannot access it. When booting
from the HD I get grub coming up with error 17.
I tried booting from a DOS disc but there is no fixmbr there. Also it
does not see drive C;
It looks like I shall have to bite the bullet and reinstall from
scratch. Unless someone comes up with another solution?
Thanks

I heard you got it going, good show.

Anyway I too have seen what you saw with the XP install disc. And there
are two reasons for this:

1) Need to press F6 when starting to load the install CD and have the
SATA drivers ready on floppy (USB floppy is ok). Otherwise the install
can't see a SATA drive.

2) Tried to install XP from an Alienware Recovery CD from an USB CD
drive. I tried this way because at the time the internal DVD drive was
dead. But it would completely load and then crash before you could make
any choice. Repaired the internal DVD drive and tried there and it
worked just fine.