Mint & XP dual boot problem

Hamster · 11 Dec 2008 at 16:57

Help please!!

Similar to a recent thread with a slight difference, i have xp and linux mint on different partitions of the same drive. After doing some windows updates, i've lost the boot menu and the pc just boots straight into xp.

Is there a quick and easy method to repair this?

bubblebobble · 11 Dec 2008 at 19:12

Hamster · 11 Dec 2008 at 19:14

Great. Thanks :rolleyes:

I think it's safe to assume that i need to know the best method.

bubblebobble · 11 Dec 2008 at 19:23

ok.........what boot loader you using?
I suggest you run LILO as it is simple and easy to repair.

boot the pc with a live linux disk..........then mount the linux partition ( probably hda1) run

/sbin/lilo

it will add xp and linux to the boot loader.

job done.

If you use another loader then run the .conf file for that particular loader.

how savvy are you with mounting partitions etc?

Hamster · 11 Dec 2008 at 19:28

Not savvy in the slightest so i was hoping for simple instructions! It's the grub bootloader that came with Mint that's gone awry.

Also it would be nice to be able to choose which OS loads up by default which i didn't seem to have the option to change when the bootloader was working.

bubblebobble · 11 Dec 2008 at 19:36

ok, grub

you will still need to mount the partition with the live cd and run the grub installer again:

read this, there is a section on mounting from the live cd and also repairing.
any questions just post

http://www.linuxmint.com/wiki/index.php/How_to_repair_your_grub

it really is quite straightforward honestly

bubblebobble · 11 Dec 2008 at 19:38

also remember youve had it working once, so no issues with the mint grub horrible loader.

Hamster · 11 Dec 2008 at 19:45

Thanks. I don't have time to do it today but will have tomorrow. I'll keep you posted.

bubblebobble · 11 Dec 2008 at 19:47

I will, stick down some walkthrough commands for you.

BigglesPiP · 11 Dec 2008 at 20:50

Grub CD/floppy TBH, boot into your OS with it, then grub-install.

brummie · 11 Dec 2008 at 22:19

Download the "super Grub disk" and it will automagically sort it for you.

http://www.supergrubdisk.org/

Hamster · 12 Dec 2008 at 16:31

brummie said:
Download the "super Grub disk" and it will automagically sort it for you.

http://www.supergrubdisk.org/

Thanks for everyone's input. This 'automagic' solution looked appealing and worked well!!