DIGIT-ARC read-only archive · snapshot: July 23, 2026

Plz help Windows Xp Gone after installing Ubuntu 7.10

14 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/plz-help-windows-xp-gone-after-installing-ubuntu-7-10.79084/

saurabh kakkar
saurabh kakkar Original post #1
Jan 26, 2008 at 8:11 PM
Hi
I Have just installed Ubuntu 7.10 on my pata Hdd which already contained windows Xp and Windows 98 i.e I tried to tipple boot My sys I had successfully Done this earlies But Now My Windows Xp is not Working though my windows 98 and ubuntu is working perfectly .
My windows Xp is Giving this error :
Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
<Windows root>\system32\hal.dll.
Please re-install a copy of the above file.

I know this can be rectified by this method :
Code:
Booingt using Windows Setup CD and enter into "Recovery Console" by pressing "R". Now Log into windows installation and enter admin password. Now give following commands at prompt:

Attrib -H -R -S C:\Boot.ini
Del C:\Boot.ini
BootCfg /Rebuild
Fixboot

But the problem is that whenever i try to boot the sys using windows Xp Cd
After showing the folloing msg black screens apperars :
Windows is scanning ur sys hardware configuration

Can someone suggest me How can i recover my windows Xp ?
techtronic
Jan 27, 2008 at 2:12 AM
Go to cd /boot/grub/menu.lst and check whether there is an entry for Windows XP SP 2.If its not available add it ;)
amitava82
Jan 27, 2008 at 2:18 AM
There might me some problem with ur XP CD. Try other CD.
Faun
Faun #4
Jan 27, 2008 at 4:44 AM
But the problem is that whenever i try to boot the sys using windows Xp Cd
After showing the folloing msg black screens apperars :

u messed up with system volume (where boot.ini and other system files were installed)
saurabh kakkar
Jan 27, 2008 at 7:20 PM
^^ Oks if My system volume is messed plz help me to rectify this
shady_inc
Jan 27, 2008 at 8:20 PM
This is a common error if you installed ubuntu on a primary partition.Fortunately the solution is very easy.Just need to edit your boot.iniwhich you can find in C:\.Can you post it's contents here.?
MetalheadGautham
Jan 27, 2008 at 10:33 PM
or just try repairing the MBR using win xp cd, then fix the OS, then reinstall grub to detect all three OSes.
praka123
Jan 28, 2008 at 4:01 AM
in xp,start menu>run :run "cmd" inside.once dos CLI is available run below command.
Code:
notepad C:\boot.ini
post the o/p here.
Faun
Faun #9
Jan 28, 2008 at 12:45 PM
or just try repairing the MBR using win xp cd, then fix the OS, then reinstall grub to detect all three OSes.
yup

in xp,start menu>run :run "cmd" inside.once dos CLI is available run below command.
Code:
notepad C:\boot.ini
post the o/p here.
most probably he's missing one
shady_inc
shady_inc #10
Jan 28, 2008 at 1:24 PM
most probably he's missing one
Even I had faced the same error after installing Ubuntu.But changing the partition no. of XP in boot.ini from 0 to 1 worked for me.

@ saurabh kakkar: Here's a great solution to your problem::p
Code:
[boot loader] 
timeout=30 

default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS 

[operating systems] 

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP" /fastdetect 

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP" /fastdetect 

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP" /fastdetect 

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(4)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP" /fastdetect 

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(5)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP" /fastdetect
Just paste this code in your boot.ini replacing the old content.At start-up you will see 5 instences of WinXP.One of them will certainly work.After you get to boot in XP, clear out the invalid boot paths from msconfig.:D
praka123
praka123 #11
Jan 28, 2008 at 2:26 PM
^very logical one! :D
Faun
Faun #12
Jan 28, 2008 at 4:36 PM
yep, nifty soultion :D
saurabh kakkar
Jan 29, 2008 at 1:52 PM
Even I had faced the same error after installing Ubuntu.But changing the partition no. of XP in boot.ini from 0 to 1 worked for me.

@ saurabh kakkar: Here's a great solution to your problem::p
Code:
[boot loader] 
timeout=30 

default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS 

[operating systems] 

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP" /fastdetect 

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP" /fastdetect 

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP" /fastdetect 

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(4)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP" /fastdetect 

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(5)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP" /fastdetect
Just paste this code in your boot.ini replacing the old content.At start-up you will see 5 instences of WinXP.One of them will certainly work.After you get to boot in XP, clear out the invalid boot paths from msconfig.:D

thanks man this method has rectified my problem :)

regards
saurabh kakkar
Ross
Ross #14
Sep 16, 2008 at 12:19 AM
......But the problem is that whenever i try to boot the sys using windows Xp Cd After showing the folloing msg black screens apperars......
Hi, i had the same problem. what to do when this happens..(i mean then how can we reach 'Recovery Console'..??)??? does anybody know why this happens???