Member Avatar for pranavjec

hi guys
i need some serious help...............i have dual os in my machine (win xp & fedora core 1).................recently xp got crashed 4 some reason................so i reintall it................but now i have lost grub boot loader................i have some criticle data in my linux partition.........................plzzz help me.............i want 2 reinstall linux without formating that partition.......................
thanks

  • 4 Contributors
  • 4 Replies
  • 144 Views
  • 1 Day Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by kc0arf

Dani AI

Generated

As and pointed out, you do not need to reinstall Fedora to get your machine booting again. Start by protecting the critical data on the Linux partition before attempting any bootloader changes. Boot a rescue/live CD (or a Linux live USB), identify the Linux partition, and copy the data off to an external disk. If Windows is the only other OS, copy to an NTFS/FAT volume from the live environment so the files are safe even if something goes wrong.

Quick backup example (run from the live environment; replace device names to match your system):

fdisk -l
mkdir /mnt/linux
mount /dev/sda2 /mnt/linux
mkdir /mnt/usb
mount /dev/sdb1 /mnt/usb
rsync -aAXv /mnt/linux/ /mnt/usb/fedora-backup/

After the backup, restore the bootloader. Fedora Core 1 used GRUB Legacy; newer installs use GRUB2. Two common recovery flows:

GRUB Legacy (typical for FC1):

mount /dev/sda2 /mnt
mount --bind /dev /mnt/dev
mount --bind /proc /mnt/proc
chroot /mnt /bin/bash
grub
grub> root (hd0,1)     # set to the partition containing /boot
grub> setup (hd0)      # write to MBR of first disk
grub> quit
exit

GRUB2 (newer systems):

mount /dev/sda2 /mnt
for i in /dev /dev/pts /proc /sys; do mount --rbind $i /mnt$i; done
chroot /mnt
grub2-install /dev/sda
grub2-mkconfig -o /boot/grub2/grub.cfg
exit

Important cautions: always install to the disk (e.g., /dev/sda), not a partition (avoid /dev/sda1); if you have a separate /boot, mount it under /mnt/boot before chroot; double-check device names (on very old machines disks may be /dev/hda). If the chroot approach is uncomfortable, use a recovery tool such as Super Grub Disk to boot the system and then reinstall GRUB. Finally, follow ’s advice and create a rescue/floppy or a small live USB once everything is working so recovery is faster next time.

Recommended Answers

All 4 Replies

Member Avatar for big_k105

Ok tell me you created a boot floppy disc. :)

well if not you can put the rescue cd in that they have online and boot from there and re-install grub to the master boot record. you dont need to re install linux :)

download area

im not sure but i think you could use the core 2 rescue disk to get into your core 1 install. well it should work so download this file
at the addy above :) and give that a try and then re
instal grub once you are in

Member Avatar for pranavjec

i fedora core 1 cds..............can i do it from these cds...........& re install grub frm there...........

Member Avatar for DMR

You should be able to boot into rescue mode from the first Fedora CD and reinstall Grub from there. An explanation of the process is here:

Member Avatar for kc0arf

Hello,

.... and this time, you should make the rescue floppy disk so that you are set when XP crashes on you again.

Always make the rescue floppy. :) Always.

Christian

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.