robot313
12-09-2001, 03:44 PM
Please help. I have 1 partition with Windows 98 SE and another with Mandrake Linux. When my computer starts, a bootloader comes up (Lilo) and I can choose what OS to load. I used to be able to do this fine but now, for some reason (probably cause I was doing stuff with the "boot config" in the Control Center), when I choose windows and press Enter it just flashes and does nothing. I'm using Linux now, of course, since I can't get to Windows. In the Control Center in the boot config section for the "windows" entry on the bootloader I can change the "root". in the "root" dropdown list there are 4 things, "/dev/hda1", "/dev/hda5", "/dev/hda6", and "/dev/hda7". Which do I choose? Please help.
images/icons/frown.gif
orufet
12-09-2001, 04:02 PM
I have Windows and Linux on seperate machines, so I don't know, but...
Do you have a Windows startup disk? Try booting from that. Maybe the Windows CD...
Derek Stone
12-09-2001, 04:15 PM
Well, from what you've posted you have one drive with four partitions.
All you've got to do is figure out which partition Windows is on, which is most likely hda1.
Good Luck
-cl
robot313
12-09-2001, 07:40 PM
I tried the startup disk, but that just boots to the A: prompt. I'm trying hda1...
orufet
12-09-2001, 07:41 PM
Well, from the A:\ prompt, can't you navigate to C:\Windows and launch windows by typing 'win'?
robot313
12-09-2001, 07:47 PM
I don't know but it is sure worth the try. I tried hda1 and it said "loading windows" on a line and the next line said "LI" then it just stays like that. I'm going to try what you said orufet...
orufet
12-09-2001, 08:05 PM
Linux for Dummies says that each letter of the LILO prompt is printed at different stages of booting. So, try rebooting four times and see what happens. Getting the first two letters means you're not fully booting.
robot313
12-09-2001, 08:32 PM
I tried typing win and it seemed like it was going to work but then said something like the Windows information is invalid. I tried booting with the floppy with CD support and running the Windows Setup, and it started but said something about not being able to write to the hard drive and about the partition. So it sounds like it's really messed up. My Windows book says don't use Format.com (a program on the startup disk) unless all other things fail and you have consulted a technician. I really want to get it fixed without taking it to the shop. Any suggestions?
robot313
12-09-2001, 10:06 PM
Here's the exact error message I get when trying to run Windows 98 Setup:
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Setup Detection Message
Message SU0013
Setup cannot create files on your startup drive and cannot setup Windows 98. If you have HPFS or NTFS, you must create an MS-DOS partition. If you have LANtastic server or SuperStor compression, disable it before running setup. See setup.txt on Setup disk 1 or the Windows 98 CD.
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What is HPFS and NTFS and LANtastic server? I guess SuperStor is a compression program.
orufet
12-09-2001, 10:44 PM
I've gotten this message before, "If you have HPFS or NTFS, you must create an MS-DOS partition", and it's ugly. I don't want to screw anything up, but have you tried running FIPS? (FIrst nondestructive Partitioning System or something like that) I believe it can partition safely, but I don't know if that's what you want...
robot313
12-10-2001, 07:02 PM
I'm back in Windows now! I used my Norton Rescue disk. All is normal again.