Hi, My computer can't get to load Windows, and maybe by my fault. I tried to install Ubuntu from the cd I had downloaded and burnt. Unfortunately, the partition I had created with Gparted had the error of not having a root file system or something like that (had chosen fat32 to be able to share some files with windows according to their documentation.) After it failed twice, I decided I wouldn't install it, but the problem is, when I restarted the computer, after putting everything back like it was, After the blue hp screen I usually see in the beginning, the screen just stays black with that little flashing bar at the top left corner of the screen.

 

 

 

I basicaly don't really have any idea what would be doing this, and that guy on msn that has dual boot with ubuntu and that is tech savvy refuses to help me.

 

 

 

Any help I could have here? If you need specs, ask for them.

 

 

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

 

Currently writing with my laptop.

Just go though with the installer of Ubuntu and do custom partitioning in the Ubuntu setup. Make a 512MB to a 1GB swap partition then make a new partition for Ubuntu its self make it how ever big you want with your remaining space. Then click drop down for mount point for the partition and select /. This will put it at the root. Now you should be able to finish the installation. If you ever want to get rid of linux i would use EasyBCD to rewrite your windows MBR then delete the swap partition and Ubuntu partition.

Boot with XP cd press R to repair installation when you get to the command prompt type

fixmbr

 

 

 

This should restore XP.

Thanks VARN, I will need to find someone that has the CD now since the computer didn't come with a Cd, it came with a recovery partition and missed its shot when making the recovery dvds-_-.

 

 

 

I think I will do what sloter told me to before going and looking for people that has the cd.

Do as i said above and to get into windows then use EasyBCD to rewrite your MBR.

Oh, thank you very much ;). I'll be doing that tomorrow since I don't have anymore time tonight :).

Ok cool. What i said above should install Ubuntu right if you just want to leave Ubuntu on there. Post back letting us know how it goes.

Well, could you explain me how I could do it, it says it's not root file system etc like I said in first post, but I can't do it as you said, since it's grayed out...

 

 

 

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You don't mount a swap to the root. The only thing you mount to the root is the actual partition for Ubuntu. After you make the swap make a ext3 partition for Ubuntu for the size of what ever you want Ubuntu to be and then in that drop down select /.

Thank you very much :). You're helping me so much, and I wanted to install in the first time to learn, and it seems to already be doing what I wanted, I'm learning from you here lol.

 

 

 

There's still a problem though, everything works, exept when I choose Windows xp media center edition in the list... Ubuntu works, Windows recovery works, but not the windows itself, it just says "starting up..." and nothing happens exept the small white bar flashing...

Might bee a boot loader problem. In Ubuntu go to terminal(Applications >> Accessories >> Terminal).

 

 

 

In terminal type:

 

sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst

 

 

 

That should bring a file up with a bunch of writing in it. Copy all the writing here to tif so i can read it. Also you didn't format over your windows partition did you? Do you have MSN, Skype, or AIM? If so could your PM yours it would go a little faster than posting everything here on TIF.

Ok, I'll pm you to give it.

 

 

 

But now, the only way I could get in ubuntu would be the live cd, it's back to the blank screen (with only the white flashing line...).

Solved. We have tried multiple things, as I was on msn with the laptop with sloter, and nothing worked, which is pretty odd. I did a system recovery, and got back the hard drive to it's original 2 partitions. Also odd that the computer can't keep the boot loader more than a few times I start the computer. :-k

 

 

 

I'm lucky I always keep an updated backup.