• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

How to restore Windows XP bootloader?

C

Com807877

Senior member
Hi all,

I installed Mandrake linux the other day to try Linux out. Right now it has the mandrake bootloader in use, which gives me the option to boot between Mandrake, Windows XP, and Windows 9x.

I'm done looking at Linux, and now I want to replace the mandrake bootloader with the normal Windows XP boot loader. Does anyone know how I can remove the Mandrake bootloader and replace it with the regular Windows XP loader?

Thanks
 
If you were dual-booting between 98 and XP, you were actually using the 98 loader not XP.

Which OS is on which partition?
Did you backup any startup files before installing Linux?
 
Hi,

I have two hard drives. I installed Linux on the second, and Windows is on the first on partitions.

I told linux to install the bootloader in the MBR if that helps.

Also I didn't backup any files.
 
What do you want? Do you want to dual-boot between your W98 and XP? Do you want to use a third party boot manager every time you reboot? Or, do you want to use the windows boot manager for that?

Where is 98? Which physical drive? Which partition?
Where is XP? Which physical drive? Which partition?
 
Hi,

I want to remove the Mandrake bootloader. Then I want to put back the Windows bootloader. I only want to boot either Windows 98 or XP, not Mandrake.

Windows 98 is on first drive, first partitition.

Windows XP is on first drive, second partition.

Mandrake is on the second drive. (but I plan to format it whenever I can remove the Mandrake bootloader)
 
I will try to help if I can. I can only do that if you answer my questions.
I understood that you didn't want Linux anymore. Let's not talk about that anymore!

I am wondering how you want to use your dual-boot system 98 and XP. How did you choose which one to boot to before? Did you use a third party boot manger or did you use the Windows boot manager?
 
Originally posted by: Navid
If you were dual-booting between 98 and XP, you were actually using the 98 loader not XP.
Click to expand...

A minor nitpick, but he's actually using the XP bootloader. Windows ME and lower versions
did not have a seperate boot loading utility of thier own.

And when he installed XP, it created an extra entry in the boot.ini file that enables XP to
hand boot control back over to the 98 startup files.

I think Navid is going to suggest you use FDISK /MBR to repair the Master Boot Record.


If you have the XP recovery console installed, or can boot from the XP CD, you might
also consider using the FIXMBR and/or FIXBOOT commands to repair the XP bootloader.

FIXMBR C:
FIXBOOT C:

optionally try: (if you need to rebuild the xp boot menu)

FIXMBR C:
FIXBOOT C:
bootcfg /rebuild



 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top