Windows.........no!!!

sam fisher · Post by **sam fisher** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 4:49 pm

Basically I trashed windows and more importantly the MBR on my new pc. after about 5 windows installs I know know how to make my drive C:. But I need to know how to edit the MBR

Harshboy · Post by **Harshboy** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 5:22 pm

well, what do you want to do to it?

Post by **bicostp** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 5:28 pm

What version of Windows are you trying to install?

Most versions of Windows give you the option of installing fresh, and when it does that I believe it creates a new MBR. The only exceptions to this I have seen were the 95 Upgrade disc, when I upgraded a school machine from 98 to XP, and when I installed 3.11 on my DOS 6.22 box.

You could always install GRUB; there's directions on the web somewhere.

Harshboy · Post by **Harshboy** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 5:32 pm

if you format your drive and then install it will work fine.

sam fisher · Post by **sam fisher** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 5:36 pm

Due to the way the warranty works there is a inactive partition I must not touch. Thats the problem. I believe I may have fixed it now. They had some weird crap installed on there with the original windows. Would not let me create partitions without installing windows. With luck, it should be fixed when its done installing now. Its because the windows install is came with was full of crap.

blackbox_dev · Post by **blackbox_dev** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 5:39 pm

Let me guess, it was a Dell?

sam fisher · Post by **sam fisher** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 6:51 pm

Its not a Dell but its from a very similar company. With very bad service. It just seemed like a good deal at the time. Suffice to say if i order from them again I won't expect my pc to be here on time...

I have anotehr question now I have fixed this. if I install ubunut 64bit edition on another partition will it overwrite windows in t MBR or add Grub ora similar boot selector allowing me to use both? DOnt want to go through this again after I have just updated everything again

Harshboy · Post by **Harshboy** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 6:54 pm

iam7805 wrote:Let me guess, it was a Dell?

I had no problem with restoring a Dell. I deleted windows from Linux on my Dell and it let me fix it fine! I just overwrited the Dell Security and restore Partions (X,Y)

vb_master · Post by **vb_master** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 6:55 pm

fdisk /mbr

It's a non-documented switch.

sam fisher · Post by **sam fisher** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 6:59 pm

I have the windows bit fixed. Will Ubuntu similiarly take over t eMBR or will it use a boot selector like grub?

vb_master · Post by **vb_master** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 7:09 pm

sam fisher wrote:I have the windows bit fixed. Will Ubuntu similiarly take over t eMBR or will it use a boot selector like grub?

It will install LILO.

sam fisher · Post by **sam fisher** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 7:25 pm

Ok, thats fine. I'ev never used lilo myself. Is it as good as grub?

vb_master · Post by **vb_master** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 8:07 pm

sam fisher wrote:Ok, thats fine. I'ev never used lilo myself. Is it as good as grub?

How could it be better, it just asks you what OS too boot?

blackbox_dev · Post by **blackbox_dev** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 7:55 am

Personally I find GRUB more powerfull, but I like the interface in LILO better. I always have found the OS/2 boot manager to have the best interface at all.

sam fisher · Post by **sam fisher** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 7:55 am

What is the Os/2 boot manager?