Fresh windows install, can't boot Linux anymore :(

**AljoshaNL** · 09-24-2005, 01:48 PM

Hello Again.

I just installd a fresh Windows 2k (i needed to install it again), but when i boot my computer it just boots windows, it doesn't asks 'make you choice'. How can I get the choice menu?

Thanks in advance
Aljsoha

**trickster** · 09-24-2005, 02:22 PM

Which version of linux are you using? Were you using Lilo or Grub as your boot loader? Do you still have your installation cd's?

**AljoshaNL** · 09-24-2005, 02:26 PM

Hello,

Sorry, forgot about it!
Using Fedora Core 4, have the four CD's right here
I can't see the system using any loader at all, but I know Fedora uses GRUB.

Thanks in advance

**trickster** · 09-24-2005, 03:10 PM

ok, this can be fixed, but involves a lot of delicate steps. I suggest you write them down:

1. Boot to your 1st Fedora cd. On the Fedora splashscreen, before the install starts, type "linux rescue."

Code:

linuux rescue

2. Follow the dialog, and if asked, allow the cd to mount the hard disk in read-write mode (can't remember the exact phrase, because I don't have my cd available.)
3. When it is done booting, create a directory to mount your Fedora partition.

Code:

mkdir /mnt/fedora

4. Mount your Fedora partition on this new directory.

Code:

mount /dev/hdx /mnt/fedora

where hdx = the partition where you installed linux. (If you are not sure, you can do

Code:

fdisk -p /dev/hda

. This should show you all the partitions on your disk.
5. This step is only necesary if your /boot folder is on a different partition. Otherwise, go to step 6.
If your /boot resides on a different partition, mount it under /mnt/fedora/boot.

Code:

mount /dev/hdy /mnt/fedora/boot

where /dev/hdy is the partition where your /boot resides.
6. You're almost there. Now, you have to tell linux to treat the /mnt/fedora folder as the root of linux. This will make all the folder settings match your installation.

Code:

chroot /mnt/fedora

7. Finally, reinstall grub to the MBR of hda.

Code:

grub-install /dev/hda

8. If there were no errors, reboot the computer.

Code:

reboot

Please not that, if your hard disk is a SCSI, SATA or PATA drive, your installations wouldn't be /dec/hda but /dev/sda (most likely).

Good luck.

**AljoshaNL** · 09-24-2005, 03:12 PM

Thanks, going to try it out after my match of waterpolo

Thanks again and again

**AljoshaNL** · 09-24-2005, 07:37 PM

Thanks, I wrote a doc about it wich is in the same category as this topic. Thanks for the tutorial! But it wasn´t all. You will get mount, chroot, and grub-install errors

please correct me if i´m wrong in my document

AljoshaNL