[RESOLVED] Grub Rescue Blocks Booting

[shrdlu]

Hi All, ........... Recently I installed the Ubuntu program on my WindowsXP Pro SP3 system to gain some familiarity with it. Since then I removed Ubuntu but now when I try to boot, I get an Error message: "Unknown file system" called "Grub Rescue." And that is as for as the booting goes. I have been able to get into Windows using a booting helper which requires inserting a CD into its drive.

I haven't been able to find Grub Rescue in the registry or using a file search. A check in the Event Viewer shows two errors. eight (8) and 1802. The first for Crypt32 and the second for Security Center. Probably these will go away if I can get the Grub Rescue file removed. I also ran SFC /scannow which did not improve the booting, the same error message appeared. Does anyone have suggestions for removing the Grub Rescue file?

[SuperSparks]

Boot up with the WinXP CD in the drive, and go to the Recovery Console. At the command prompt, type "Fixboot", then type "Fixmbr", then "Bootcfg /rebuild" all without the quotes, pressing Enter after each command.

[shrdlu]

SuperSparks, ................ Before I go too far afield, let me show what my system is telling me in Recovery Console. Realize that I have partitions: C, D, E. and F. The Console screen shows:

1= G:\Windows

2= G:\Windows---then asks: Which Windows installation would you like to log onto?

I'm not sure if the equal signs are colons or not. In any case the G: caused me to stop since I was expecting that Windows would be on the C: partition and I'm not sure how I would get back to Windows on C:

Thank you for your interest and if your would care to add any other helpful comments, I would be most appreciative.

[SuperSparks]

Don't worry about the drive letter being different, Recovery Console does that, though I forget the exact reason. Select 1, and if that doesn't work try 2. I suspect it is showing 2 different entries as a result of the messed up bootloader.

[shrdlu]

SuperSparks, ............. You were probably right about the drive letters. Using your advice of (1), I got the following :

[1]: C:\WINDOWS

but then the following: Add installation to boot list? (Yes, No, All)

I guessed No and that took me back to C:\WINDOWS and from there I was stuck and did no know where to go. Any further words of wisdom? Thank you for your help.

[SuperSparks]

Try the (2) option and see what that does.

[shrdlu]

SuperSparks, .............. Let me modify some of the info in Post 3:

1: C=\WINDOWS and 2: G=\Windows

I'm not sure the changes are significant. However I did try 2: in my latest attempt and that try insisted on a Password, something that I have never used. Rebooting from the CD again and using the 1: C=\WINDOWS produced:

C:\WINDOWS> to which I started to apply the boot modifiers. Now my question is: is this the term to which Fixboot, Fixmbr, and Bootcfg /rebuild should be applied so that they look like C:\WINDOWS>Fixboot etc.?

I should also inform you that I have two hard drives in my computer, one of which is usually disconnected and kept as a backup and except for size has the same partition arrangement. If your patience can be extended further, I'll continue to rely on your advice. Again my thanks.

[SuperSparks]

As long as your second hard drive is kept disconnected it definitely won't be affected by this process.

If it asks for a password, it is after the default Administrator password that was entered when WinXP was first installed, if any. If no password was ever entered, just press the enter key at the p/w prompt.

At the Command prompt (C:\Windows>), type in each command, and then press enter after each one.

[shrdlu]

SuperSparks, .......... I continued following your advice from Posts 2 and 8 and when I included the "Fixmbr" term I got a *CAUTION* message. This message contains scary terms like: "may damage your partitions," and "make them inaccessible." Then it asks: Are you sure you want to write a new MBR? That is where I stopped. Your advice?

[SuperSparks]

It always gives that message when it finds something wrong, but I have never known a case where it ever has made a partition inaccessible. And over the years many people have used the command. I'd give it a go, because the alternative is an over-the-top reinstall, which is much harder work.

[shrdlu]

SuperSparks, ............ Well I followed your directions from Post 2 down to a point where I did not know the proper response. What was showing was:

Total identified Windows installs: 1
[1]: C:\WINDOWS
Add installs to boot list. (I think I clicked Enter)
Enter load identifier: 1 (I used one (1) here)
Enter OS Load Options (Here I was stuck)

At this point the computer screen does not provide any guidance and since I did not know what to use, I shut the computer down.

In your previous Post you mention "over-the-top reinstall" (is this also called Repair?), I agree with the "more work" and if I remember I usually lose some folders which have to be replaced. Things do not look good.

[SuperSparks]

This KB article explains what's what in Bootconfig:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/291980

Basically the load identifier is just the name that you give to the boot menu item - it can be anything you like, or even nothing at all. I like to give a full description of the OS, ie "Windows XP Professional x86".

[shrdlu]

SuperSparks, ............. Phew! All is well. I opened this Windows XP without the aid of a booting CD. Your perseverance is commendable. Thank you for holding my hand and walking me to a solution to the Grub problem.

[SuperSparks]

You're very welcome, I'm glad that you got it all sorted out