grub error 12

[shivaprasad]

hi
Am new to open source world..



Disk /dev/hda: 80.0 GB, 80026361856 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 9729 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/hda1 * 1 1094 8787523+ 83 Linux
/dev/hda2 1095 9729 69360637+ f W95 Ext'd (LBA)
/dev/hda5 * 1282 2433 9253408+ 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/hda6 2434 4866 19543041 b W95 FAT32
/dev/hda7 4867 7299 19543041 b W95 FAT32
/dev/hda8 7300 9729 19518943+ b W95 FAT32
/dev/hda9 1095 1281 1502014+ 82 Linux swap / Solaris

Partition table entries are not in disk order


i have linux debian in hda1 and swap in hda 9


my windows is in hda 5 that is my D drive and linux in C drive

in menu.lst

title Windows xp
rootnoverify (hd0,5)
makeactive
chainloader +1
for windows

my linux has

title Debian GNU/Linux, kernel 2.6.18-4-686
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.18-4-686 root=/dev/hda1 ro
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.18-4-686
savedefault



linux is booting but windows is not booting

i tried for all other possibilities in (hd0,5), like (hd0,1)...(hd0,4)....(hd0,6)...
but its giving error


pls help me!!!!!!!!!!

[Lostfarmer]

Did Windows ever work with the current partition setup ? If not , just how were the partitions when Windows lasted worked ?

Is the Windows XP ?

Windows normally likes to have a primary partition that it can use, one can make it work but should not be done that way.

With your current setup you will not be able to do a Windows install or repair.

Can try to boot comp with a XP cd and boot into the Recovery Console and run fixboot.

[shivaprasad]

ya its XP..I stay in hostel .. before i used tat windows.. asked many ppl .. they are telling to install windows again n put GRUB boot loader once more.. actually whats the problem.. is there no way i can correct it without reinstalling windows.
If there can u pls tell me or else ill reinstall....

and how to install softwares in DEBIan ... sny link to download softwares


THANK u again

[shivaprasad]

my windows worked in D drive for long time.. Problem came when i installed Linux
.. next time I have to install windows in C and Linux in D is it so????

[Lostfarmer]

The only reason I can think of for grub error 12 with your partition layout is that the XP partition does not have the boot code that it needs. It can only be rewritten (as far as I know) by running XP's recovery console's fixboot. (there may also be more problems that must be corrected)

1)Do you remember the partition layout when XP worked ? (it would be very helpful to know)

2)Did Windows ever work with the current partition setup ? (with linux)
2a)If so what was the last thing you did that might have change something important ?
2b)If it has not worked after Linux install, what partition software did you use to change the partitions ?

One can not install XP on an extended partition (hda5) without a primary partition that XP can read (fat32,NTFS).

next time I have to install windows in C and Linux in D is it so?

it is best to have XP on the first primary partition but there are ways for your setup to work, but as I said in prior post you will NOT be able to reinstall fresh or repair.