Hard Disk Formating + MBR Question

[ginzon]

Hi All

I am confused with my HDD,

I partitioned my HDD with Ubuntu Partition Manager thro' Live CD, but installed windows after that no Linux.

Now I plan to put Linux. But If I want to get RId to it again but dont want to format n setup my Windows XP again I need to restore my MBR or FIx it.

But can i fix it with Windows CD "fixmbr" option or need to fix it thro' Ubuntu Live CD bcoz I initially partitioned thro' it????

I know abt Super Grub who restores also abt grub compatibility that can be downloaded n used in Ubuntu Live CD....but will my data b lost i I use fixmbr from windows cd....

I know I must be sounding confusing bcoz I am...

Thx in Advance

[shan]

well as long as u have the windows cd u installed from the mbr can be fixed using the recovery console "fixmbr"

[safeguy]

I'm confused too...I'll be honest & admit that I hate messing around with bootloaders & MBR...looks way too complicated for me (although I do know that there are 3rd party tools for it such as EasyBCD & VistaBootPro which I've not used before)..

And that's the reason why I use Wubi...it's way far easier...the only con is that by installing Ubuntu using Wubi, you won't get to hibernate Ubuntu (they're still working on that)...but rest apart, Wubi is great

[kv777]

Bootloaders & MBR are complicated,any mess can screw you up so be careful.i think you want to dual boot Xp and linux so use this link ,if not neglect.If xp is installed already WUbi is the safest way to use ubuntu.

[ginzon]

Well, Installed Linux not thro' Wubi...

Now if things go wrong i guess i m screwed as i can't restore my mbr...


ONe Question: To those who used "fixmbr" command

b4 fixing does it give warning of any kind??

[hellnoire]

FixMBR will replace the MBR with Microsoft's, meaning you're not going to see Linux in the MBR.

You have to use SuperGrubDisk or RIP or something like that to recover it so you can dual boot. SuperGrub disk has an automatic fixer, which I'd recommend you use. If worst comes to worst, use the manual one, the ISO.

And if you decide to get rid of Linux, FixMBR, the MS tool will make it MS only again.

Hopefully, that makes it easier to understand.

[ginzon]

Thx a lot hellnoire, u made my life easy...

One question still exit in my mind do we get a warning while fixmbr as i got one last time...saying something is diff. n u may loose data..

[hellnoire]

No, you wouldn't, least, you shouldn't... replacing the MBR shouldn't throw up an error, since it's written within the first few bytes of your hard drive, and no other data should be around it.

[ginzon]

Actually I initially partitioned my HDD by Ubuntu GParted n I tried fixmbr from Windows Disc a few months later...so i got that i guess
is there a chance of mismatch like between the way both would part n store data???

[hellnoire]

I don't see why they would... an MBR just points the BIOS in the right direction in booting from what I understand. What you seem to be asking now is about file systems... that's completely different from the MBR.