XP missing from Grub (Solved)

[chiefjim]

Updated my sister's dual boot pc from pclinux to mint9. In the process we lost reference to her XP partition. Ran os-prober and update-grub with the following results.

Bren1.png

How do I proceed from here?

[linmint777]

how many hard drives you have in your pc?

[chiefjim]

how many hard drives you have in your pc?

I built it for her so I should know that answer. But that was years ago. I believe two, with XP on SDA and Mint on SDB

[linmint777]

this may help:
open a terminal and run:
sudo grub-install --recheck /dev/sda
sudo update-grub2
restart and make sure the bios to give priority to boot the hard drive containing xp.

[chiefjim]

this may help:
open a terminal and run:
sudo grub-install --recheck /dev/sda
sudo update-grub2
restart and make sure the bios to give priority to boot the hard drive containing xp.

Thanks, will give it a try

[cra1g321]

not sure if this will be useful to you, but you can check it out anyway and see - http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.p ... 74&start=0

[breaker]

So, PCLinux uses GRUB Legacy (0.97)... did you keep that version of GRUB in the MBR, or did you let LM9 load GRUB2 (1.98) into the MBR? Otherwise, I'm not sure why update-grub would need to generate menu.lst, grub2 should be installed on LM9 and it uses /boot/grub/grub.conf

The GRUB reinstall posted above should probably work, but if not you can download and run the Boot Info Script and post the RESULTS.TXT into code tags: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1291280

[chiefjim]

this may help:
open a terminal and run:
sudo grub-install --recheck /dev/sda
sudo update-grub2
restart and make sure the bios to give priority to boot the hard drive containing xp.

Running into an obstacle:

Bren3.png

Reloaded Synaptic a couple of times. Even changed selected servers to no avail.

[breaker]

this may help:
open a terminal and run:
sudo grub-install --recheck /dev/sda
sudo update-grub2
restart and make sure the bios to give priority to boot the hard drive containing xp.

Running into an obstacle:

Bren3.png

Reloaded Synaptic a couple of times. Even changed selected servers to no avail.

Why were you in Synaptic? The commands entered into the terminal have nothing to do with adding or removing software packages. Did you maybe remove the grub-pc package, then try to put it back? (sorry if I am confused, but these are 2 totally different tasks)

To check what you have do this in a terminal:

Code: Select all

apt version grub-pc
apt version grub-common
apt version grub
apt version grub2

Only the grub-pc package should be installed, and it should be at version 1.98 for Mint 9. If it is missing, you can add it by downloading the Ubuntu Lucid deb package and installing it. http://launchpadlibrarian.net/51252570/ ... 7_i386.deb If you have any of the other packages listed, remove them first, they are all replaced with grub-pc ver.1.98.

Then please run the Boot Info Script. ^_^/


P.S. Package Info: https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/gr ... 8-1ubuntu7

[chiefjim]

It was after I got those two messages on the screen that I used Synaptic to try and find grub2.

Boot Info Script??

I'll be accessing her computer remotely around 9:00 AM EST. We'll see what happens then

[chiefjim]

Still no luck. Will retry next using the live disc. If that fails I'll bring her a spare so I can have more time to troubleshoot the system

[kansasnoob]

It was after I got those two messages on the screen that I used Synaptic to try and find grub2.

Boot Info Script??

I'll be accessing her computer remotely around 9:00 AM EST. We'll see what happens then

Instructions for the Boot Info Script are here:

http://bootinfoscript.sourceforge.net/

Alternative instructions:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1291280

[oobetimer]

Still no luck. Will retry next using the live disc. If that fails I'll bring her a spare so I can have more time to troubleshoot the system

I think that XP's bootflag has lost (boot_info_script reveals)

http://sourceforge.net/projects/bootinfoscript/

Make scipt excutable and run the script

cd path_to_boot_info_script055.sh

sudo ./boot_info_script055.sh
Identifying MBRs...
Computing Partition Table of /dev/sda...
Searching sda1 for information...
Searching sda2 for information...
Searching sda5 for information...
Searching sda6 for information...
Searching sda7 for information...
Searching sda8 for information...
Searching sda9 for information...
Searching sda10 for information...
Finished. The results are in the file RESULTS.txt located in /home/zzzz/Lataukset

[breaker]

Yes, you can run the Boot Info Script from the Live CD. What did apt version grub-pc say?

[chiefjim]

Here are the results from boot_info_script:


RESULTS.txt

Boot Info Script 0.55 dated February 15th, 2010

============================= Boot Info Summary: ==============================

=> Grub 0.97 is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda and looks on boot drive #2
in partition #1 for /boot/grub/stage2 and /boot/grub/menu.lst.
=> Windows is installed in the MBR of /dev/sdb

sda1: _________________________________________________________________________

File system: vfat
Boot sector type: Grub
Boot sector info: Grub 0.97 is installed in the boot sector of sda1 and
looks at sector 13913087 on boot drive #2 for the
stage2 file. A stage2 file is at this location on
/dev/sdb. Stage2 looks on partition #1 for
/boot/grub/menu.lst. No errors found in the Boot
Parameter Block.
Operating System: Windows XP
Boot files/dirs: /boot.ini /ntldr /NTDETECT.COM

sda2: _________________________________________________________________________

File system: Extended Partition
Boot sector type: Unknown
Boot sector info:

sda5: _________________________________________________________________________

File system: vfat
Boot sector type: Windows XP: Fat32
Boot sector info: According to the info in the boot sector, sda5 starts
at sector 63.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

sda6: _________________________________________________________________________

File system: vfat
Boot sector type: Windows XP: Fat32
Boot sector info: According to the info in the boot sector, sda6 starts
at sector 63.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

sdb1: _________________________________________________________________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Linux Mint 9 Isadora
Boot files/dirs: /boot/grub/menu.lst /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab
/boot/grub/core.img

sdb2: _________________________________________________________________________

File system: Extended Partition
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:

sdb5: _________________________________________________________________________

File system: swap
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:

sdb6: _________________________________________________________________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

=========================== Drive/Partition Info: =============================

Drive: sda ___________________ _____________________________________________________

Disk /dev/sda: 40.0 GB, 40020664320 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 4865 cylinders, total 78165360 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sda1 * 63 24,579,449 24,579,387 c W95 FAT32 (LBA)
/dev/sda2 24,579,450 78,140,159 53,560,710 f W95 Ext d (LBA)
/dev/sda5 24,579,513 57,352,049 32,772,537 b W95 FAT32
/dev/sda6 57,352,113 78,140,159 20,788,047 b W95 FAT32


Drive: sdb ___________________ _____________________________________________________

Disk /dev/sdb: 40.0 GB, 40020664320 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 4865 cylinders, total 78165360 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sdb1 * 63 24,643,709 24,643,647 83 Linux
/dev/sdb2 24,643,771 78,156,224 53,512,454 5 Extended
/dev/sdb5 24,643,773 27,904,904 3,261,132 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sdb6 27,904,968 78,156,224 50,251,257 83 Linux


blkid -c /dev/null: ____________________________________________________________

Device UUID TYPE LABEL

/dev/ramzswap0 swap
/dev/sda1 D44B-FF80 vfat
/dev/sda2: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sda5 307B-A6F1 vfat APPLICATION
/dev/sda6 347F-66BB vfat LINWIN
/dev/sda: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sdb1 c5b9a9ae-7910-488a-a7f4-179f3672fb13 ext3
/dev/sdb2: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sdb5 732951bd-5d33-4ee8-b39a-d608fe604aef swap
/dev/sdb6 c97a2d6f-9067-49b4-ad7c-7091d6c680f3 ext3
/dev/sdb: PTTYPE="dos"

============================ "mount | grep ^/dev output: ===========================

Device Mount_Point Type Options

/dev/sdb1 / ext3 (rw,errors=remount-ro)
/dev/sdb6 /home ext3 (rw)


================================ sda1/boot.ini: ================================

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

=========================== sdb1/boot/grub/menu.lst: ===========================

# menu.lst - See: grub(8), info grub, update-grub(8)
# grub-install(8), grub-floppy(8),
# grub-md5-crypt, /usr/share/doc/grub
# and /usr/share/doc/grub-legacy-doc/.

## default num
# Set the default entry to the entry number NUM. Numbering starts from 0, and
# the entry number 0 is the default if the command is not used.
#
# You can specify 'saved' instead of a number. In this case, the default entry
# is the entry saved with the command 'savedefault'.
# WARNING: If you are using dmraid do not use 'savedefault' or your
# array will desync and will not let you boot your system.
default 0

## timeout sec
# Set a timeout, in SEC seconds, before automatically booting the default entry
# (normally the first entry defined).
timeout 3

## hiddenmenu
# Hides the menu by default (press ESC to see the menu)
hiddenmenu

# Pretty colours
#color cyan/blue white/blue

## password ['--md5'] passwd
# If used in the first section of a menu file, disable all interactive editing
# control (menu entry editor and command-line) and entries protected by the
# command 'lock'
# e.g. password topsecret
# password --md5 $1$gLhU0/$aW78kHK1QfV3P2b2znUoe/
# password topsecret

#
# examples
#
# title Windows 95/98/NT/2000
# root (hd0,0)
# makeactive
# chainloader +1
#
# title Linux
# root (hd0,1)
# kernel /vmlinuz root=/dev/hda2 ro
#

#
# Put static boot stanzas before and/or after AUTOMAGIC KERNEL LIST

### BEGIN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
## lines between the AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST markers will be modified
## by the debian update-grub script except for the default options below

## DO NOT UNCOMMENT THEM, Just edit them to your needs

## ## Start Default Options ##
## default kernel options
## default kernel options for automagic boot options
## If you want special options for specific kernels use kopt_x_y_z
## where x.y.z is kernel version. Minor versions can be omitted.
## e.g. kopt=root=/dev/hda1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8=root=/dev/hdc1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8_2_686=root=/dev/hdc2 ro
# kopt=root=UUID=c5b9a9ae-7910-488a-a7f4-179f3672fb13 ro

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=c5b9a9ae-7910-488a-a7f4-179f3672fb13

## should update-grub create alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. alternative=true
## alternative=false
# alternative=true

## should update-grub lock alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. lockalternative=true
## lockalternative=false
# lockalternative=false

## additional options to use with the default boot option, but not with the
## alternatives
## e.g. defoptions=vga=791 resume=/dev/hda5
# defoptions=quiet splash

## should update-grub lock old automagic boot options
## e.g. lockold=false
## lockold=true
# lockold=false

## Xen hypervisor options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenhopt=

## Xen Linux kernel options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenkopt=console=tty0

## altoption boot targets option
## multiple altoptions lines are allowed
## e.g. altoptions=(extra menu suffix) extra boot options
## altoptions=(recovery) single
# altoptions=(recovery mode) single

## controls how many kernels should be put into the menu.lst
## only counts the first occurence of a kernel, not the
## alternative kernel options
## e.g. howmany=all
## howmany=7
# howmany=all

## specify if running in Xen domU or have grub detect automatically
## update-grub will ignore non-xen kernels when running in domU and vice versa
## e.g. indomU=detect
## indomU=true
## indomU=false
# indomU=detect

## should update-grub create memtest86 boot option
## e.g. memtest86=true
## memtest86=false
# memtest86=true

## should update-grub adjust the value of the default booted system
## can be true or false
# updatedefaultentry=false

## should update-grub add savedefault to the default options
## can be true or false
# savedefault=false

## ## End Default Options ##

title Linux Mint 9 Isadora, kernel 2.6.32-21-generic
uuid c5b9a9ae-7910-488a-a7f4-179f3672fb13
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-21-generic root=UUID=c5b9a9ae-7910-488a-a7f4-179f3672fb13 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-21-generic
quiet

title Linux Mint 9 Isadora, kernel 2.6.32-21-generic (recovery mode)
uuid c5b9a9ae-7910-488a-a7f4-179f3672fb13
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-21-generic root=UUID=c5b9a9ae-7910-488a-a7f4-179f3672fb13 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-21-generic

title Chainload into GRUB 2
root c5b9a9ae-7910-488a-a7f4-179f3672fb13
kernel /boot/grub/core.img

title Linux Mint 9 Isadora, memtest86+
uuid c5b9a9ae-7910-488a-a7f4-179f3672fb13
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin
quiet

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST

=========================== sdb1/boot/grub/grub.cfg: ===========================

#
# DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE
#
# It is automatically generated by /usr/sbin/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 recordfail {
set recordfail=1
if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then if [ -z ${boot_once} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi; fi
}
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set c5b9a9ae-7910-488a-a7f4-179f3672fb13
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=640x480
insmod gfxterm
insmod vbe
if terminal_output gfxterm ; then true ; else
# For backward compatibility with versions of terminal.mod that don't
# understand terminal_output
terminal gfxterm
fi
fi
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set c5b9a9ae-7910-488a-a7f4-179f3672fb13
set locale_dir=($root)/boot/grub/locale
set lang=en
insmod gettext
if [ ${recordfail} = 1 ]; then
set timeout=-1
else
set timeout=10
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/00_header ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###
set menu_color_normal=white/black
set menu_color_highlight=black/light-gray
### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/06_mint_theme ###
set menu_color_normal=white/black
set menu_color_highlight=white/light-gray
### END /etc/grub.d/06_mint_theme ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
menuentry "Linux Mint 9, 2.6.32-21-generic (/dev/sdb1)" --class linuxmint --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set c5b9a9ae-7910-488a-a7f4-179f3672fb13
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-21-generic root=UUID=c5b9a9ae-7910-488a-a7f4-179f3672fb13 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-21-generic
}
menuentry "Linux Mint 9, 2.6.32-21-generic (/dev/sdb1) -- recovery mode" --class linuxmint --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set c5b9a9ae-7910-488a-a7f4-179f3672fb13
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.32-21-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-21-generic root=UUID=c5b9a9ae-7910-488a-a7f4-179f3672fb13 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-21-generic
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_lupin ###
### END /etc/grub.d/10_lupin ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set c5b9a9ae-7910-488a-a7f4-179f3672fb13
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set c5b9a9ae-7910-488a-a7f4-179f3672fb13
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin console=ttyS0,115200n8
}
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry "Linux Mint 8 Helena, linux 2.6.31-14-generic (/dev/sda1) (on /dev/sda1)" {
insmod fat
set root='(hd0,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set a4c9-4817
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic root=UUID=a91f3df1-b34c-4175-824f-8f64197c2d72 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-14-generic
}
menuentry "Linux Mint 8 Helena, linux 2.6.31-14-generic (recovery mode) (on /dev/sda1)" {
insmod fat
set root='(hd0,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set a4c9-4817
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic root=UUID=a91f3df1-b34c-4175-824f-8f64197c2d72 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-14-generic
}
### 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 ###

=============================== sdb1/etc/fstab: ===============================

# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# Use 'blkid -o value -s UUID' to print the universally unique identifier
# for a device; this may be used with UUID= as a more robust way to name
# devices that works even if disks are added and removed. See fstab(5).
#
# <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>
proc /proc proc nodev,noexec,nosuid 0 0
/dev/sdb1 / ext3 errors=remount-ro 0 1
# /home was on /dev/sdb6 during installation
UUID=c97a2d6f-9067-49b4-ad7c-7091d6c680f3 /home ext3 defaults 0 2
# swap was on /dev/sdb5 during installation
UUID=732951bd-5d33-4ee8-b39a-d608fe604aef none swap sw 0 0

=================== sdb1: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================


6.9GB: boot/grub/core.img
7.0GB: boot/grub/grub.cfg
6.9GB: boot/grub/menu.lst
7.1GB: boot/grub/stage2
6.7GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-21-generic
6.9GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-21-generic
6.7GB: initrd.img
6.9GB: vmlinuz
=========================== Unknown MBRs/Boot Sectors/etc =======================

Unknown BootLoader on sda2

00000000 7c 2e 91 bd 3b b2 da 3c 4e cd 4b 5f 1f 0e ab 5e ||...;..<N.K_...^|
00000010 af 3c 9d b6 aa 48 07 55 b0 04 1d 8c 27 46 3c b7 |.<...H.U....'F<.|
00000020 0e 0f e9 e7 33 05 bf 26 7f fa 0f 8e 97 3a 5d a2 |....3..&.....:].|
00000030 fd 66 c9 e6 68 b9 29 a6 be 9e e3 4f 95 e1 24 50 |.f..h.)....O..$P|
00000040 fa 54 c0 9d c0 a9 81 ac 4f 83 14 e0 e5 b6 58 63 |.T......O.....Xc|
00000050 22 25 f4 fa e4 42 24 ec 37 f6 83 d5 84 c7 f7 81 |"%...B$.7.......|
00000060 c3 f7 f1 26 a9 e3 1e 0e 09 17 98 0b ee 68 0a 73 |...&.........h.s|
00000070 31 b0 46 06 43 a6 b8 39 d4 8f 7c 89 01 01 50 80 |1.F.C..9..|...P.|
00000080 20 b5 db dc 19 8d 8c 8c e4 33 78 e2 54 8b 15 58 | ........3x.T..X|
00000090 41 aa ba f2 7e 53 05 93 47 53 18 8f 84 82 62 ba |A...~S..GS....b.|
000000a0 d1 d3 42 93 84 2f 3e 15 bd 68 db 6d cb 45 0a 8f |..B../>..h.m.E..|
000000b0 41 7d d4 76 2a 9b 10 25 97 74 eb b1 60 2a 28 28 |A}.v*..%.t..`*((|
000000c0 88 c7 66 1a 9a 10 bb 94 25 a3 7e 2c 2b c3 eb 75 |..f.....%.~,+..u|
000000d0 b1 2d 7f 3e f1 e6 1d ca 98 a9 0e e4 f9 04 e1 a7 |.-.>............|
000000e0 b3 37 80 06 c4 25 24 e2 a8 15 89 44 2e 1a db fd |.7...%$....D....|
000000f0 9e f9 dc db 32 17 eb 2c 54 cb b5 58 45 6a 87 85 |....2..,T..XEj..|
00000100 e8 09 a9 d9 d8 d8 66 ee 81 ed 82 a0 f1 d4 fb 3b |......f........;|
00000110 3b 23 98 26 dc d2 4d 07 58 ef ef 6d d4 8d 2e fe |;#.&..M.X..m....|
00000120 3f aa ed 96 e8 44 c2 ad 41 bd 1b 22 16 2c 39 4a |?....D..A..".,9J|
00000130 a1 cc 73 5f 57 8c 6b d8 2c 63 4d f9 9b 16 29 4e |..s_W.k.,cM...)N|
00000140 cd 34 a5 d3 17 6d a9 e8 e8 60 12 68 93 be de 6e |.4...m...`.h...n|
00000150 9e 9d b1 38 02 0f 00 ad f5 71 1f 4a 7a 59 7f 72 |...8.....q.JzY.r|
00000160 b6 a1 6b ca 52 34 57 89 cd 7c 4c 1a e8 f2 7f e3 |..k.R4W..|L.....|
00000170 e6 83 c6 ac e4 f0 30 40 53 22 e6 0d ab 82 e6 ac |......0@S"......|
00000180 e3 aa 7a cd eb 54 6a 4d 9d 64 53 98 82 24 f3 77 |..z..TjM.dS..$.w|
00000190 b6 62 1e 37 54 3e a5 cb 9b 63 22 ec 4f 17 b2 0b |.b.7T>...c".O...|
000001a0 7e 75 97 c2 2c 64 21 55 fe 1e 1a 6a f5 53 cd fa |~u..,d!U...j.S..|
000001b0 c8 9d f6 cd 9f a1 38 b1 9d c3 6a 1d c6 48 00 01 |......8...j..H..|
000001c0 c1 ff 0b fe ff ff 3f 00 00 00 b9 11 f4 01 00 00 |......?.........|
000001d0 c1 ff 05 fe ff ff f8 11 f4 01 8e 33 3d 01 00 00 |...........3=...|
000001e0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 |................|
000001f0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 55 aa |..............U.|
00000200

[oobetimer]

File system: vfat
Boot sector type: Grub
Boot sector info: Grub 0.97 is installed in the boot sector of sda1 and
looks at sector 13913087 on boot drive #2 for the
stage2 file. A stage2 file is at this location on
/dev/sdb. Stage2 looks on partition #1 for
/boot/grub/menu.lst. No errors found in the Boot
Parameter Block.
Operating System: Windows XP
Boot files/dirs: /boot.ini /ntldr /NTDETECT.COM

As I thought, Boot sector type is wrong for XP.

http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/b ... oot_Sector

You can repair the boot sector type using win98 bootCD also..

http://www.bootdisks.us/windows-98/13/w ... mages.html

Dos command prompt:

fdisk

2

....set the active partition

Esc

[kansasnoob]

I'm very tired and just headed off to bed but the first thing we need to know is if you can boot anything right now?

I see a few problems. First this shows you have legacy crub on the mbr of sda:

=> Grub 0.97 is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda and looks on boot drive #2
in partition #1 for /boot/grub/stage2 and /boot/grub/menu.lst.

And this shows you have mixed legacy grub and grub 2 files:

sdb1: _________________________________________________________________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Linux Mint 9 Isadora
Boot files/dirs: /boot/grub/menu.lst /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab
/boot/grub/core.img

Worse yet you have grub installed to the pbr of your Win XP pasrtition:

sda1: _________________________________________________________________________

File system: vfat
Boot sector type: Grub
Boot sector info: Grub 0.97 is installed in the boot sector of sda1 and
looks at sector 13913087 on boot drive #2 for the
stage2 file. A stage2 file is at this location on
/dev/sdb. Stage2 looks on partition #1 for
/boot/grub/menu.lst. No errors found in the Boot
Parameter Block.
Operating System: Windows XP
Boot files/dirs: /boot.ini /ntldr /NTDETECT.COM

I should be able to help you tomorrow but I'm just too tired tonight.

As far as having grub in the Win pbr this may help:

http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/b ... oot_Sector

[chiefjim]

As far as having grub in the Win pbr this may help:

http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/b ... oot_Sector

I've got the TestDisk on my UBCD. I'll be sure to take it along on my house call.

[chiefjim]

Well this took plenty of time to resolve. Final step was to bring the box home with me for some diagnostics.

Turns out a major fault was the power supply. Corrective measures weren't taking as the system had insufficient power to run the motherboard and hard drives properly. Hence the configuration errors which weren't directly the fault of the power supply couldn't be fixed until that power issue was resolved.