Linux Mint 7 Help Wanted!

[Ubernoob1]

Manchunian posted on 02-11-2008 this:

Yes, you'll have to follow the procedure that daark.child laid out. The problem with Linux, no let's re-phrase that, the problem with Windows is that when you install it (Linux that is) Grub becomes the boot manager. This is because Windows thinks it's alone in the world: whereas Linux can 'see' Windows, Windows can't (or its developers make it blind to) Linux.
Now, the trouble is that you can't go about this willy-nilly: you have to follow the correct procedure. This is because computers pre-installed with Windows can be tattood (an anti-piracy mesure ): if Windows feels 'fiddled with' it can refuse to install. Don't worry, though, the people on this site who also have Windows on their machine (I'm 100% Tux myself) will know what to do

---Since Manchunian doesn't know anything about Windows I was hoping someone could possibly help me out with my situation. I am having the problem of rebooting back into windows vista through my Dell Inspiron 1420(Laptop).

---In Mint 7 I repartition the partition 2 Drive(Mint 7 loaded) so they had more hard drive space. Then repartitioned Partition 3 Drive(extra ram space, whatever you call it starts with an S) Then reloaded Mint 7 on it. Afterwards when it rebooted, it loaded Bios, then went directly to the option screen where you can either boot Mint 7 or Vista. But this time the option to boot into Vista was gone. Did some checks through Bios and notice Vista is still there. I just can't pass Grub's instant boot manager and boot into Vista.

---I was wondering if anyone can possibly help or guide me to getting rid of Grub all together(I don't care about Mint7 right now) or either bypassing Grub, recover windows boot, so I can boot into vista again.

Please email me at L C R U Z 602 (a) G M A I L . C O M (Won't let me post a url until I've posted 30 or some bologna rule!)
Thank You!

[oz]

Welcome to the forums!

You can clear GRUB from the MBR by issuing the following command from the Linux command line:

dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sda bs=446 count=1

You should be able to restore the Vista bootloader by following Microsoft's instructions found here:

How to troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows Vista

[Ubernoob1]

It's a Dell Laptop. I don't have a VIsta CD =/ there was no recovery cd that came with the laptop.

[devils casper]

Download SuperGRUB CD or USB and boot up from it. Select Fix Windows Boot Loader option. It will remove GRUB and Windows OS will boot up fine on Reboot.