can not start Win XP after installation of LMDE

[webwalker]

Hey guys/gals,

OK, let me explain what took place here. I had Klikit linux on my mom's computer dual booting with Win XP. I decided to update her to LMDE. After installing and doing all the updates, it will not boot into Win XP. It shows up in the grub boot screen, but when I choose it all I get is a blank screen. Other wise Win XP will not boot up. I've tried updating grub to no avail. Any good ideas other than reinstalling Win XP? I would rather not if at all possible! I'm thinking it had something to do with one of the updates. It was asking question about grub and I just used the defaults they suggested. Other wise I did not uncheck anything.

Thanks,
webwalker

[seeley]

Hi!
Please read my help (link1) and post some relevant outputs.
You are not the first person with those problems - we try our very best to help you.
seeley

[webwalker]

What info do you need?

I know how to use the terminal, I just don't know all the commands. If you can list the commands, I can get the terminal output to you.

What do you need to know first?

[webwalker]

[#
# DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE
#
# It is automatically generated by grub-mkconfig using templates
# from /etc/grub.d and settings from /etc/default/grub
#

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
if [ -s $prefix/grubenv ]; then
load_env
fi
set default="0"
if [ "${prev_saved_entry}" ]; then
set saved_entry="${prev_saved_entry}"
save_env saved_entry
set prev_saved_entry=
save_env prev_saved_entry
set boot_once=true
fi

function savedefault {
if [ -z "${boot_once}" ]; then
saved_entry="${chosen}"
save_env saved_entry
fi
}

function load_video {
insmod vbe
insmod vga
insmod video_bochs
insmod video_cirrus
}

insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sda,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 861ccd8a-d9fd-425e-9fe6-7e7f6576b427
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=640x480
load_video
insmod gfxterm
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sda,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 861ccd8a-d9fd-425e-9fe6-7e7f6576b427
set locale_dir=($root)/boot/grub/locale
set lang=en
insmod gettext
set timeout=5
### END /etc/grub.d/00_header ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sda,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 861ccd8a-d9fd-425e-9fe6-7e7f6576b427
insmod png
if background_image /boot/grub/linuxmint.png; then
set color_normal=black/black
set color_highlight=magenta/black
else
set menu_color_normal=cyan/blue
set menu_color_highlight=white/blue
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/06_mint_theme ###
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sda,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 861ccd8a-d9fd-425e-9fe6-7e7f6576b427
insmod png
if background_image /boot/grub/linuxmint.png ; then
set color_normal=white/black
set color_highlight=white/light-gray
else
set menu_color_normal=white/black
set menu_color_highlight=white/light-gray
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/06_mint_theme ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
menuentry 'LinuxMint GNU/Linux, with Linux 2.6.32-5-686' --class linuxmint --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sda,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 861ccd8a-d9fd-425e-9fe6-7e7f6576b427
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.32-5-686 ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-5-686 root=UUID=861ccd8a-d9fd-425e-9fe6-7e7f6576b427 ro quiet
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-5-686
}
menuentry 'LinuxMint GNU/Linux, with Linux 2.6.32-5-686 (recovery mode)' --class linuxmint --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sda,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 861ccd8a-d9fd-425e-9fe6-7e7f6576b427
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.32-5-686 ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-5-686 root=UUID=861ccd8a-d9fd-425e-9fe6-7e7f6576b427 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-5-686
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry "Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition (on /dev/sda1)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(/dev/sda,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set c080f08680f083e6
drivemap -s (hd0) ${root}
chainloader +1
}
### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###
# This file provides an easy way to add custom menu entries. Simply type the
# menu entries you want to add after this comment. Be careful not to change
# the 'exec tail' line above.
### END /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
if [ -f $prefix/custom.cfg ]; then
source $prefix/custom.cfg;
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
*]

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[# If you change this file, run 'update-grub' afterwards to update
# /boot/grub/grub.cfg.

GRUB_DEFAULT=0
GRUB_TIMEOUT=5
GRUB_DISTRIBUTOR=`lsb_release -i -s 2> /dev/null || echo Debian`
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet"
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX=""

# Uncomment to enable BadRAM filtering, modify to suit your needs
# This works with Linux (no patch required) and with any kernel that obtains
# the memory map information from GRUB (GNU Mach, kernel of FreeBSD ...)
#GRUB_BADRAM="0x01234567,0xfefefefe,0x89abcdef,0xefefefef"

# Uncomment to disable graphical terminal (grub-pc only)
#GRUB_TERMINAL=console

# The resolution used on graphical terminal
# note that you can use only modes which your graphic card supports via VBE
# you can see them in real GRUB with the command `vbeinfo'
#GRUB_GFXMODE=640x480

# Uncomment if you don't want GRUB to pass "root=UUID=xxx" parameter to Linux
#GRUB_DISABLE_LINUX_UUID=true

# Uncomment to disable generation of recovery mode menu entries
#GRUB_DISABLE_LINUX_RECOVERY="true"

# Uncomment to get a beep at grub start
#GRUB_INIT_TUNE="480 440 1"
*]

[seeley]

Hi!
Okay.
Please search the commend "findGrub" in my help, copy it into the Terminal and post the complete output.
seeley

Edit:
How did you install your Mint Debian? From CD / DVD?
If you can boot to Mint Desktop, please post some outputs (help, chapter II and "mount").

[webwalker]

Seeley, here it is.

/dev/sda: GRUB 2 v1.97 or higher
/dev/sda1: No GRUB 8cd
/dev/sda2: No GRUB 00
/dev/sda5: No GRUB 00
/dev/sda6: No GRUB 00
_____________________________________
I installed using a DVD, Version 201101
______________________________________
Description: Linux Mint Debian Edition
Release: 1
_______________________________________

2.6.32-5-686 #1 SMP Thu Nov 25 18:43:34 UTC 2010 i686 GNU/Linux
_________________________________________

Disks: HDD Total Size: 120.0GB (16.2% used) 1: /dev/sda ST3120213A 120.0GB 38C
_____________________________________________

LMDE 10/ Gnome/ 32 bit/ installed from live-DVD/ Win XP preinstalled/ 1 hard disk
________________________________________________

Version: 2.30.2
__________________________

Thanks, Seeley

Webwalker

[wayne128]

it seems there is no windows boot loader on sda1

from the grub2 stanza below

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry "Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition (on /dev/sda1)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(/dev/sda,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set c080f08680f083e6
drivemap -s (hd0) ${root}
chainloader +1
}

this line highlighted in red seems suspicious.
you could try remove this line, then sudo update-grub, hopefully the OS prober can pick up the winXP

also make a quick check on the uuid c080f08680f083e6
you can use gparted or sudo blkid from terminal , ensure that both are the same.

just for reference, take a look at my win7 grub2 stanza , probed by LMDE

menuentry "Windows 7 (loader) (on /dev/sda2)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(/dev/sda,msdos2)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 7bc647de459f9681
chainloader +1
}

[webwalker]

I have a laptop running the same setup and it has the line you're indicating in it.

Now I'm puzzled!

webwalker

[seeley]

Hi webwalker!
First:
concerning the red line (wayne): you sometimes had a second hard disk (internal or plugged via USB)?
Normally you don't need a line with "drivemap", so I agree to delete it with:

Code: Select all

gksudo gedit /boot/grub/grub.cfg

reboot and see what happens; initially I would not run "update-grub".
After reboot you again must have a look at grub.cfg .
2. Your "findGrub" shows, that GRUB"2" is installed into the MBR.

If that does not work you should proof if your Windows can boot -> help III Windows / chainload.
seeley

[webwalker]

OK Seeley, tried all that and the same thing. Blank screen.

Looks like I'm going to be reinstalling Windows unless you have another idea.

webwalker

[seeley]

HI!
Please try this, or if you have questions, ask; if you can't boot Windows than you could consider to do the next step.

If that does not work you should proof if your Windows can boot -> help III Windows / chainload.

seeley

[webwalker]

Thanks Seeley,

I already tried that on the last step and it didn't work. Just a blank screen.

[seeley]

Hi!
You could try:

Code: Select all

gksudo gedit /boot/grub/grub.cfg

, copy and save the whole part with Windows and then delete it within grub.cfg, save, run

Code: Select all

sudo update-grub

- see, if Windows is recognized during creating grub.cfg -
reboot, if the wrong entry is missing, and see what happens.
seeley

[webwalker]

Seeley, I removed this section from grub.cfg and mint wrote it back. compare it to my earlier entry.

menuentry "Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition (on /dev/sda1)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(/dev/sda,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set c080f08680f083e6
chainloader +1

If I didn't do that right let me know.

webwalker

[seeley]

Hi!
Looks good!
Reboot and see what happens!
If it does not work - I have a last idea!
seeley

Edit: Don't forget the "}" at the end!

[webwalker]

I had already removed it before posting my last entry (I did get the } removed) and it didn't work. I tried rebooting and when it didn't work I went back to grub.cfg and the entry was put back in by mint. Still nothing.

Bring on the last thing and we'll see what happens!

[seeley]

Hi!
First I explain what to do (I did that 2009 and I must think about it).
We create a file, starting with 40_custom in /etc/grub.d (you could see, if it is in that directory and if it contains 2 lines:

#!/bin/sh
exec tail -n +3 $0

We need these rows and have to add some others - I must find it out, afterwards save as /etc/grub.d/11_windows, run

Code: Select all

sudo chmod +x /etc/grub.d/11_windows

to make it executable,
and

Code: Select all

sudo update-grub

Now I will search for the entry we need.
seeley

[webwalker]

from /etc/grub.d
40_custom

#!/bin/sh
exec tail -n +3 $0
# This file provides an easy way to add custom menu entries. Simply type the
# menu entries you want to add after this comment. Be careful not to change
# the 'exec tail' line above.
_______________________________________________________________

Let me make sure this is right. You want me to save this (40_custom) file as (11_windows) ?

then run: (sudo chmod +x /etc/grub.d/11_windows) in the terminal
Then run: (sudo update-grub)

[seeley]

Hi!
Sorry, no chance! I had GRUB 1.96 and you have 1.98 ("findGrub" -> 1.97 or higher); my notebook crashed (not now - some weeks ago) and now I'm on an old one!
But you could do me (and the forum) a favour and make new partitions with GParted before installing XP:
You delete all partitions (after having saved data) and create a first primary partition with about 40 GB (I have 37 GB for my XP) and install XP in this partition. Later on you can create other partitions (with my help) to make a clean Linux installation.
seeley

Edit:
Yes, it is right; the developers wanted to be sure, that the 2 lines I mentioned above, are not lacking or wrong, of course, if you know the 2 lines, you can create that file on a normal way; the number (11) affects the order in the menu you see directly after booting.

[webwalker]

Seeley, Thanks for all your help! Unfortunately my mom's needing her computer back asap so I can't do a complete new install. I have added Win XP later and did the grub update and got it to work, so I would like to try that first. If that doesn't work I'll get back to you and we'll try what you want to do.

Thanks again for ALL your help. We gave it our best shot, but it just wasn't meant to be.

webwalker