I have 2 Operating Systems in my Laptop, Windows XP and Ubuntu Feisty. I separated the harddisk into 4 partitions.
-
Windows XP (NTFS format)
-
Ubuntu Feisty (Ext3 format)
-
WinLinux Data (Fat32)
-
Linux Swap (for linux swap file)
If you want to run both of it, you have to install XP first and Ubuntu after.
After the installation, you will have a ‘Ubuntu Grub Loader‘ to replace ‘Windows Boot Loader‘ at MBR (Master Boot Record).
The problem is, if you re-install your XP, the ‘Ubuntu Grub Loader’ in MBR will be overwrite. You can’t go to Ubuntu anymore. I’ve faced this problem before that made me almost re-install my Ubuntu.
Don’t try to recover it from XP, using ‘Norton Partition Magic’. You will can not boot your both OS after. I’ve done it before.
I’ve tried also using Linux System Rescue CD to setup LILO at MBR for temporary replace the Ubuntu Grub. I failed.
Actually, there is an easy way to recover the problem. Just use your Ubuntu Desktop/Live CD.
1. Boot the your machine with Live CD.
2. Open a terminal
(Application > Accessories > Terminal or type ‘Alt-F2′ and type ‘xterm’)
3. Start grub as root.
$sudo grub <enter>
4. Check your boot partition
grub> find /boot/grub/stage1 <Enter>
(hd0,3)
Note: Result (hd0,3) Harddisk 1, partition 3 (you may have more than 1 HD)
5. Fix your partition
grub > root (hd0,3) <Enter>
6. Setup grub at MBR
grub> setup (hd0,3) <Enter>
Checking if “/boot/grub/stage1” exists… yes
Checking if “/boot/grub/stage2” exists… yes
Checking if “/boot/grub/e2fs_stage1_5” exists… yes
Running “embed /boot/grub/e2fs_stage_5 (hd0)”… 17 sectors are embedded
succeeded
Running “install /boot/grub/stage1 (hd0)
(hd0)1+17 p (hd0,3)/boot/grub/stage2
/boot/grub/menu.lst”… succeded
Done
grub>
grub> quit <Enter>
7. Reboot and take out your CD live. If everything is fine, you will get your Ubuntu bootloader again.
Happy trying…..
