I swear I'm not retarded...

[Fillibuster]

Ok so Vista blows. We all know that, but only now I'm getting around to reinstalling XP. I have a legitimate disc from Dell to use so everything should go smoothly. In theory.

Of course not. I popped in Gparted and resized the Vista partition so that Linux and XP would have equal parts of the HDD. Then I reformatted to NTFS. Fine. Pop in the XP disc and select the new partition I created that is NTFS formatted. I get a message that says that "this disc does not contain a Windows XP-compatible partition" Bullshit.

Ok so I delete the newly made partition, and with the unallocated space I create a new partition (just like the message tells me to fucking do. Fine, do that. Select it as the partition I want XP to install on, and I get the same exact message as before, although I followed the instructions to a T.

Does anyone have any ideas? As much as I'd love to, I don't want a Linux only lappy...I just want XP back!

[Smokey]

I swear I'm not retarded...
hmmm.... join my club

[Garfunkel]

First things first, is this a dell laptop? what is the model number?

Has this disc been fine on the same lappy before?

[Smokey]

i only partitioned for 20gig for programs & the rest for... the rest. but XP went on nicely. all those different versions wouldnt they conflict at all?

[Fillibuster]

Inspiron 6400. I've never used the disc before. I opened it tonight. I won the laptop from the school and it didn't come with a disc but over the summer when I had the DVD burner in my PC replaced, I asked them to bring me the discs for XP.

[Garfunkel]

I believe it is not allowing you to install because the partition may be a logical one and not a primary one.

Boot off the Gparted livecd and have a look at the partition for XP, reformat it and make sure it is a primary disk. Than try and install XP on it.

[Fillibuster]

Shit I think you're right. I'll see what I can do. What's weird is that Vista installs fine on the logical. I actually reinstalled it thinking I might be able to install XP from there, but of course MS won't allow it...I'll post back.

EDIT: Quick question, If linux and Vista were both logicals on an Extended I'm probably going to have to uninstall Linux and then delete the extended and go from there eh? :(

[Garfunkel]

Shit I think you're right. I'll see what I can do. What's weird is that Vista installs fine on the logical. I actually reinstalled it thinking I might be able to install XP from there, but of course MS won't allow it...I'll post back.

EDIT: Quick question, If linux and Vista were both logicals on an Extended I'm probably going to have to uninstall Linux and then delete the extended and go from there eh? :(

Vista can be installed on logical partitions, XP cannot, at least not easily.

You don't need to remove Linux or vista.

Here let me explain.

A standard HDD can have up to 4 primary partitions, to have more you have to create an "extended" partition. This partition contains information about where on the drive Logical partitions will be contained. Thus, an exteded partition contains logical partitions. Just turn the logical XP partition into a Primary XP partition and you should be ready to install it.

[Fillibuster]

For some reason I didn't think of deleting the Vista part and resizing the Extended. I was under the impression I couldn't resize the extended for some reason (*puts on dunce cap*).

It's installing now, thanks as always Garf!

[Garfunkel]

So I was right?

[Fillibuster]

Yeah I just deleted the Vista partition, resized the extended to the same size as my Linux, and then I was able to have one more primary because this last time I fresh installed ubuntu I deleted some stupid Dell partition that I had no idea what it did...

[Garfunkel]

Ok cool! Glad you got it working mate. If you need any more help just ask!

I find it stupid as hell how MS refuses to make decent error messages, it would solve many problems if they focused on making the errors say "this is a logical partition - XP cannot be installed here, to install XP please use a primary partition" etc.

[Fillibuster]

Ok, now I have another question, I'm sure its GRUB related, because GRUB doesn't come up at all. It installed and when the lappy restarted I got this message

"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
<Windows root>\system32\hal.dll.
Please re-install a copy of the above file."

[Garfunkel]

Did this come up right after the install on the first reboot?

It's not a grub specific problem but it does have to do with grub.

Download the super grub disc and use it to restore the bootloader:

http://supergrub.forjamari.linex.org/

When you boot off of it you should be given the option of reinstalling the grub menu from the ubuntu partition (your /boot/grub/menu.lst file)

When grub is reinstalled you won't be able to use XP yet, you will need to add it to the grub menu. When Grub is reinstalled boot into ubuntu and post your /boot/grub/menu.lst file.

[Fillibuster]

Alrighty...

[Garfunkel]

Also, post your gparted screen showing all the partitions and everything.

Basically, the reason why you are having this issue is because XP likes to remove the linux bootloader and install it's own very poor one. It not only kills grub but kills it's own self.

[Fillibuster]

Alright I've tried multiple times to reinstall GRUB both automatically and manually, but every time I remove the disc and restart I get that same Windows message and GRUB doesn't load...

[Fillibuster]

Here's what my gparted looks like (hope it formats right in my post)

Partition FS Size
/dev/sda1 fat16 47.03mb
/dev/sda2 ntfs 34.72gb
/dev/sda3 extended33.71gb
>/dev/sda5 ext3 33.71gb
/dev/sda4 linux-swap4.64gb


The ntfs partition has a boot flag on it also if you needed that info

[Garfunkel]

When you used it you went to the gnulinux section right?

We will try and make sure the partition is activated, when you boot the grub disk go to gnu/linux > advanced > activate gnu/linux partition. Than try and reinstall grub again.

If that doesn't work, boot off the windows CD, go through the install process until it says you can press r to enter a recovery console (it's near the start). When on the command line select the installation you use and type your password (if you have no password just press enter, don't type anything). When you are logged in type:

fixboot
fixmbr
exit (or quit, i can't remember).

It should reboot the system and boot into windows, if that works report back.

[Smokey]

for a man who Hates windows you know alot about it garf

Know thy enemy i spose??

[Fillibuster]

So I tried to activate it, I go to HD0 and then see the linux partition with ubuntu and I select it to be activated and get "Error 12: Invalid device requested"

I'm going to try it through Windows repair...

[Garfunkel]

for a man who Hates windows you know alot about it garf

Know thy enemy i spose??

Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.

I am a Linux guy, but I like to be as OS agnostic as I can, Than I can try to help people on as many OS's as I know.

So I tried to activate it, I go to HD0 and then see the linux partition with ubuntu and I select it to be activated and get "Error 12: Invalid device requested"

I'm going to try it through Windows repair...

Sure, We can also try to make it active via gparted I think.

[Fillibuster]

Alright I fixed the boot, and wrote a new mbr, but I still can't boot into Windows...

[Fillibuster]

lets try the gparted now...lol

[Garfunkel]

If gparted doesn't work we will go a step further:

go back to the windows recovery prompt you were before and type:

chkdsk /r

(it will take some time)

bootcfg /list

This will list all the entries in the boot file on the windows partition, it is likely this has become corrupted somehow.

then type:

bootcfg /rebuild
fixboot
fixmbr
exit

[Fillibuster]

Alright I'll try that now. I didn't really see anything along the lines of activating a partition in gparted, so I'll see how this goes

[Garfunkel]

Also, this error, did it happen after the text based part of the install process or after the entire install process when it's configured and all that?

anyway, i gotta have dinner i will be back :)

[Fillibuster]

I was unable to configure anything. It was after the blue screen install. It installed the drivers and shit then said it was going to reboot into windows or whatever and then I got the hal.dll error.

[Fillibuster]

Ok I'm booting into windows right now...when i listed the boot configurations there were none. It says that setup will be complete in 39 minutes. If you're still on when I post than great, but you don't have to wait up for me (not sure what time it is in Oz)

[Garfunkel]

It's only 8:20PM :) I'll be up as long as i'm needed for the good of geekdom. *raises nerd-sword* HONOUR!!!

So is windows installing correctly now? if it is and boots fine we can move on to configuring grub.

If not, we can go deeper.

[Fillibuster]

It seemed to have installed fine. It's "installing applications" right now (read bullshit apps) and when that's done I'll let you know.

[Garfunkel]

sweet. Glad we didn't need to go deeper, because we would have to do some manual boot configuration with text files, which can be very hard to do remotely.

Anyway, if all goes to plan i can use your gparted data you posted to rig up a boot entry for XP for you in grub.

[Smokey]

so what is grub?

[Garfunkel]

The linux bootloader that allows you to choose which OS you want to run at startup. Best bootloader ever made by FAR IMO. So simple yet so effective.

When you install windows it uses it's own crappy bootloader which doesn't recognise any other OS and doesn't add them to the menu. Grub does.

[Fillibuster]

Alright Windows is running fine. So it's just GRUB left...

[Garfunkel]

yay!

ok, insert the super grub disk again and use it to boot ubuntu, go to the gnu/linux section and go to boot gnu/linux. There is an option to do it manually or automatically, you will figure it out. You just have to boot off the ubuntu partition and not the Master boot record (bootloader).

When you have booted into windows post your /boot/grub/menu.lst file

[Fillibuster]

Ok this thing is getting weird. The windows install said there was a way in windows to make the ubuntu partition active. Do you know how? Because for the life of me I can't get it in super grub or gparted...

[Garfunkel]

That doesn't matter any more, can you boot into ubuntu by using the super grub disc?

[Fillibuster]

No when I select it to boot I get this error now

Error 13: Invalid or unsupported executable format

[Garfunkel]

Bugger. Try to restore grub from that disk and then try to reboot into ubuntu.

[Fillibuster]

Gah. Still not working. I even re-dowloaded the CD image and made another one. Bastard Windows and not playing nice with my Ubuntu!

[Garfunkel]

wait i misunderstood your post. Is grub installed but ubuntu isn't working or grub won't install?

[Fillibuster]

Grub won't install and I'm unable to boot straight from super grub to the ubuntu partition. I'm thinking I might just need to start over. Could it have something to do with resizing the ubuntu partition before I started all of this? I'm going to feel like a dumbass when that's the reason and I just happened to think of it...

[Garfunkel]

No, windows doesn't like resizing but linux doesn't really mind.

Before i try a few more things, try this:

on the super grub disk go to boot & tools > boot partition and go from there.

If that doesn't work, boot into windows and reply.

[Khaos]

So Windows is booting when you start up the PC, and right now you're trying to get GRUB installed to be able to get on your Ubuntu as well?

[Fillibuster]

Alright tried that, and got that same error as above.

@Khaos, yeah that's about right. And after that I have to do a ton of shit to XP, because as it stands it won't even recognize the ethernet plugged into it...I should have just put up with Vista lol

[Garfunkel]

Yeah, you'll need to install the chipset drivers and everything.

ok, boot into windows for me and either install the chipset driver or copy over the installer for ifs drives from here:

http://www.fs-driver.org/

and install it. You will need to assign your linux partition a drive letter (X:, L: or whatever you want). You should then be able to access your ubuntu partition. If so, post your /boot/grub/menu.lst file. I'll see if i can alter it to be correct.

[Garfunkel]

anyway, i gotta go to bed, khaos is on i think and he can work wonders. i'll be back in 12 hours. i love you honeybunch! :)

[Fillibuster]

Alright Garf I'm back, it was getting close to 7 in the morning here so I thought I would get some sleep. I'm on the lappy now, so I'll try that last thing now...

Here's the file...http://www.megaupload.com/?d=2MCXG27Q

[Khaos]

# 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-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 10

## 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=2e2e3f71-2bd2-4e12-948b-9285e466db1d ro

## Setup crashdump menu entries
## e.g. crashdump=1
# crashdump=0

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=(hd0,5)

## 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

## 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 Ubuntu 7.10, kernel 2.6.22-14-generic
root (hd0,5)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.22-14-generic root=UUID=2e2e3f71-2bd2-4e12-948b-9285e466db1d ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.22-14-generic
quiet

title Ubuntu 7.10, kernel 2.6.22-14-generic (recovery mode)
root (hd0,5)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.22-14-generic root=UUID=2e2e3f71-2bd2-4e12-948b-9285e466db1d ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.22-14-generic

title Ubuntu 7.10, memtest86+
root (hd0,5)
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin
quiet

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST

# This is a divider, added to separate the menu items below from the Debian
# ones.
title Other operating systems:
root


# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for a non-linux OS
# on /dev/sda1
title Windows Vista/Longhorn (loader)
root (hd0,0)
savedefault
makeactive
chainloader +1


So according to this, you have Vista on the first partition of the first HDD, and Ubuntu on the sixth partition of the first HDD. What's your partition table look like by the way? Can you load a Linux CD, open a console, type "fdisk /dev/hda" (or /dev/sda), then "p", give us that info, and you can quit with "q"?

[Garfunkel]

We have his table here from gparted:

Partition FS Size
/dev/sda1 fat16 47.03mb
/dev/sda2 ntfs 34.72gb
/dev/sda3 extended33.71gb
>/dev/sda5 ext3 33.71gb
/dev/sda4 linux-swap4.64gb

should you make the file or should i?

[Garfunkel]

OK, khaos, can you check this for me: I changed the partition information for the ubuntu and XP partition from 0,5 to 0,4 and 0,0 to 0,1 respectivly

# 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-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 10

## 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=2e2e3f71-2bd2-4e12-948b-9285e466db1d ro

## Setup crashdump menu entries
## e.g. crashdump=1
# crashdump=0

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=(hd0,5)

## 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

## 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 Ubuntu 7.10, kernel 2.6.22-14-generic
root (hd0,4)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.22-14-generic root=UUID=2e2e3f71-2bd2-4e12-948b-9285e466db1d ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.22-14-generic
quiet

title Ubuntu 7.10, kernel 2.6.22-14-generic (recovery mode)
root (hd0,4)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.22-14-generic root=UUID=2e2e3f71-2bd2-4e12-948b-9285e466db1d ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.22-14-generic

title Ubuntu 7.10, memtest86+
root (hd0,4)
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin
quiet

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST

# This is a divider, added to separate the menu items below from the Debian
# ones.
title Other operating systems:
root


# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for a non-linux OS
# on /dev/sda2
title Windows XP
root (hd0,1)
savedefault
makeactive
chainloader +1




EDIT: fixed.

[Khaos]

Looks good to me! I wonder what that FAT16 is for?

EDIT: Actually, what's the point of that extended partition? He should just move it out as a primary partition and use hd(0,2). Either way it'll work; GRUB starts counting logical partitions at 4.

[Fillibuster]

^You and I both. More Dell shit I assume

[Garfunkel]

Yeah, it's the dell recovery crap.

He could always kill the logical and turn it into a primary, that would destroy the need for the extended but lets just see if this works first.

past what i did into that file and reinstall grub from the disk and try to boot ubuntu.

[Fillibuster]

alrighty, I'll post back

[Fillibuster]

Godammit, still nothing. I tried booting straight to the partition too and it still doesn't work.

[Garfunkel]

ok, we will try to install it manually. Give us a second.

[Fillibuster]

No problem, it's always such a pain in the ass with me isn't it :( lol

[Garfunkel]

do you have a spare ubuntu cd? if so, boot it and open up a terminal for me.

[Fillibuster]

alright, one second

[Garfunkel]

hehe, WE SHALL PREVAIL!!!

[Fillibuster]

Alright I'm on the Live CD and I have a terminal open.

[Garfunkel]

OK:

type:

sudo -i
grub
root (hd0,4)
setup (hd0,4)
quit

then reboot and take the cd out. HOPEFULLY that will do it, if it doesn't, go back and see if t will write to the MBR:

grub
root (hd0,4)
setup (hd0,0)
quit

[Garfunkel]

sorry, i edited my post, make sure you are sudo!

[Fillibuster]

Alright...here goes.

[Garfunkel]

*crosses fingers*

[Fillibuster]

Ok, the first one didn't work. I'll try the second option you put

[Garfunkel]

bugger-tastic-o-matic!

[Garfunkel]

i bet there is something really really simple, and i'm missing it...

[Fillibuster]

Yeah, nothing on the second try either. Ubuntu is hiding from us....lol

[Garfunkel]

GarfGarf getting angry now! *stabs a baby*

I'm starting to think it's not grub that's causing this issue and maybe it's closer to the kernel.

Can you go into XP and confirm that these two files exist in /boot:

vmlinuz-2.6.22-14-generic
initrd.img-2.6.22-14-generic

[Fillibuster]

They're both there

[Garfunkel]

Alright, there is one last thing i know, first i'm going to go see if it works for me in vmware...

I feel like Germay in 1918, just before their final assault on the allied frontline. Let's hope we can succeed where ludendorff failed.

[Fillibuster]

Yeah if this doesn't work I might just reformat and start again with Ubuntu.

[Garfunkel]

actually, i think it will work.

vmware didn't like it so i'm going to go boot up gparted, i'll be back in a jiffy!

[Garfunkel]

Ok, it turns out what i wanted to do actually defied the law of physics and would be very difficult to achieve. HOWEVER i have a better idea.

Now, before i go on, i have to say that i have experienced many grub/boot errors before, almost every one i have managed to fix but there was one in particular that was very similar to your case.

I had an xp and ubuntu partition. I installed vista on a seperate partition and disliked it, i tried to make grub go back on the MBR but no matter what i did it wouldn't work. I tried everything. I ended up formatting the vista partition completely in disgust. Which....solved the problem somehow, but i have no idea how and i have no clue if it was a freak accident or anything because nothing boot-wise was linking in any way to the vista partition.

Anyway...

here is what i want you to do:

boot the gparted CD. Now, i want you to KILL AND STAB AND RAPE the vista partition, make it free space by deleting it then formatting it to whatever you like, ext3, fat, whatever. KILL THE PRICK!

Than, i want you to reboot, now, if this doesn't work i want you to go back into gparted, highlight the ubuntu partition and go to "manage flags" i want you to tick the box that says "boot". then reboot.

I wanted to do this in two parts just so we can isolate the problem if possible.

[Fillibuster]

the XP one you mean? I got rid of the Vista cuz I hated it. It was raped already. Do I have to wipe the XP then? I think I might try the second option first and see if I can't tag it to boot...

[Garfunkel]

the XP one you mean? I got rid of the Vista cuz I hated it. It was raped already. Do I have to wipe the XP then? I think I might try the second option first and see if I can't tag it to boot...

OH shit, yeah, it's already been raped, just try the second option.

EDIT: i am thinking that the vista partition was tagged for boot when you installed it and thus may be causing an error somehow

[Garfunkel]

If that doesn't work i'm basically fresh out of ideas. We can wait for someone else (khaos) or you can start ubuntu from scratch.

I HAVE FAILED! :(

[Fillibuster]

I took the boot tag off of the NTFS part and put it on the Ubuntu part and when I rebooted I got a message saying that there were no bootable devices found. I think I'm just going to start again. Might get rid of that stupid ass Dell utility part...get rid of the extended. Any suggestion for a new distro to try? Or I might just stick with Ubuntu again...

And you didn't fail. MS hating on us failed. If it weren't for you I wouldn't know 1/10 of what I know now...lol

[Garfunkel]

BUGGER.

Oh well, a clean slate is never a bad thing, especially when you can rig it up to only have two partitions.

OK, here is what i recommend you do:

Delete the extended partition and both logical partitions and the dell partition (you will never need it) so that you only have your XP partition.

Next, just install a new os on all that free space, than you will only have 2 partitions (make it a primary one). If you use swap space you will have three, i'm not sure if swap is has to be logical or not, i don't think so.

As for distro's. PCLinuxOS is really cool but it might be a bit difficult for you as it uses RPM's. You can still use apt-get but it still installs software using RPMs.

Another one is Linux Mint. This one is based on ubuntu but comes with all the codecs and graphics drivers and all that. It's very nice and polished. It's basically ubuntu with all the *cough* slightly illegal stuff.

There is also Fedora which uses RPM's.

They would be the main OS's i would recommend to you. I would love to recommend gentoo, but it would be maybe just a bit of a bitch for you. :)

Personally, i would recommend you give linux mint a go, it's the same as ubuntu, uses Deb's and is virtually the same, but it will take less time to set up right.

[Garfunkel]

actually, i just found out it doesn't come with the graphics drivers, doesn't really matter because it will be super-easy to install.

[Fillibuster]

maybe i'll try that out. Thanks a ton Garf, I'll report back if I run into any more issues...

[Garfunkel]

hahah, sure thing man :)

congrats for stickin' with linux! only real men use linux, so it shows balls.

[Khaos]

Windows for some reason requires the boot flag. :-p

Have fun trying out new distros, because I'm out of ideas as well. Bah.