[ILUG] Mandrake messed up XP

[Steven Satelle]

On Sun 23 May 2004 10:32, Denis Hennessy wrote:
> You didn't mention whether you tried to install mandrake on a separate
> partition to the xp install or not. It's important because if the
> windows partition is intact, then the only problem is getting it to boot
> again. If you've inadvertantly replaced it, then you're probably looking
> at a full reinstall....
>
> Anyways, assuming the data is still there and uncorrupted, there are two
> options: get windows to repair the boot sequence or install a linux boot
> loader and get it to load windows.
>
> Option 1: Repair windows. Actually, I'm not that familiar with this
> route. However, I'd try booting with the XP cd and look for a 'repair'
> option. Maybe someone else can advise?
>

forget about it, it takes hours and generally buggers up everything else on 
the system. windows is about a flexible as an iron bar. go with the other 
option to install a boot loader.
But reading your mail, it sounds like you've either deleted all partitions 
(Very bad) or just have no partition marked as active. (Thats not so bad) If 
thats the case, boot with a windows boot disk, run fdisk, choose option 2 to 
"mark partition active", choose the windows partition and reboot. If you 
don't have a windows boot disk you can use a linux partition manager, start 
the linux install again, just go as far as the setting partitions, and set 
the partition active there, then reboot again and your set. 

Both of these options will make windows bootable but not linux. Show this to 
your dad to provve you wont break windows and then continue to work on linux.

By the way, you dont mention what went wrong with the linux install. Tell us, 
I'm sure it can be fixed. If your dad has a problem tell him your training 
for the future in IT :-)


> Option 2: Boot a linux rescue cd. Again, I'm not familiar with Mandrake
> - try booting the CD and look for a rescue option. Alternatively,
> download and burn a rescue CD (e.g.
> http://ftp.heanet.ie/mirrors/download.fedora.redhat.com/pub/fedora/linux/co
>re/2/i386/iso/FC2-i386-rescuecd.iso ).
>