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

xp wont boot

8 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/xp-wont-boot.80008/

A
amey_dude Original post #1
Feb 9, 2008 at 10:03 PM
I have windows xp installed on my laptop. My laptop dont have a working cdrom. Still i managed to install ubuntu using usb drive. Now i deleted the ubuntu partition in acronis partition manger. But the problem is now i cant boot into windows. I am getting disk i/o error. plz help as soon as possible.
ravi_9793
Feb 9, 2008 at 10:12 PM
I think your Boot.ini has been corrupted.
try these methods:
*www.techhunt.org/node/41


I know few more methods..but you need to boot from windows XP CD. At last you can restore your laptop to factory default using restore CDs.
iMav
iMav #3
Feb 9, 2008 at 10:19 PM
ur best bet right now wouldbe to re-install linux and boot into it and then maybe thru linux's boot manager u will have the option to boot into windows if not u still might be able to make changes to the boot.ini file
A
Feb 9, 2008 at 10:41 PM
but i dont hv a working cdrom. so i cant boot xp cd
iMav
iMav #5
Feb 9, 2008 at 10:46 PM
by installing linux uwill be able to access files on windows drive so u will be able to change boot.ini :)
casanova
Feb 10, 2008 at 10:49 AM
You can copy boot.ini from a friends pc on your pen drive. Copy bootable files in a pen drive and replace the existing boot.ini on your system
Krazy_About_Technology
Feb 10, 2008 at 10:59 AM
I think what imav is saying is right. Your best bet without a cdrom is to reinstall linux, that'll replace the boot loader with grub. I think all other folders except the boot folder on the linux partition can be removed. Also you can then use a free ext3 filesystem driver for windows which are available free of charge on the internet (afaik one is on *www.sourceforge.net)to access this partition from windows and use it. This can be a temporary solution for you untill you get a working cdrom drive.
L
legolas #8
Feb 10, 2008 at 12:34 PM
casanova... I dont think it wud work, coz the system would be spitting "grub error" ?? becoz he formatted linux.

as Imav, and krazy_ pointed out, install linux again, but even during installation, if it selects detects and adds other OS automatically, you are lucky. then you can work on both.

alternatively, after installing and booting into windows, u can format from within windows, IF you could find a software to fix the boot from with in windows after ur formatting (i doubt it though)