[HLUG] Installing Ubuntu 9.04

[Chris]

Julian Robbins wrote:
> Chris wrote:
>   
>> Hi everybody
>>
>>     Can anyone please help with the following:
>>    
>>     At this stage it is impossible to re-load Windows - the Installation 
>> disk can't find the hard drive and it is impossible to selectively wipe 
>> the partition for re-loading, you have to wipe the whole drive and start 
>> again.
>>
>>     It is as though the Windows Boot Sector and/or the MBR has not only 
>> been over-written but somehow corrupted
>>   
>>     
> Its a bit to say, but i have seen similar issues where Windows was 
> hibernated not fully switched off before partitioning which can cause 
> problems. Also, sometimes, Windows is left with a 'dirty bit' (i think 
> that's what its called :-) ), which stops it booting cleanly. What you 
> have to do is run the win install disc, and go into the emergency 
> recovery console, which usually fixes it.
>
> Otherwise, you can quite easily recover the MBR to the previous state 
> with 'fixmbr', but you'll have to google for the precise notation. Using 
> a livecd, and a partition editor/viewer can be useful to see what it 
> says about the partitions states.
>
> I hope this helps.
>
> Julian
>
>
>   
>>     Any ideas more than appreciated
>>
>> Chris Owens
>>
>>
>>   
>>     
>
>
>   
Many thanks Julian for this - I'll have a go at your suggestions and 
tell you how I get on. By the way did everyone get a fuller message than 
the extract above which tells the second half of the story.


Hope to get to the next meeting

Cheers
Chris