I want my computer back

[tlinux]

I had a computer setup as dual boot for Windows XP Mandrake. I decided to replace Mandrake with Kubuntu 7.04. God I wish I hadn't done that!! I tried to install Kubuntu from the live CD. After some initial problems I got the partitions set for the Kubuntu installation. The installation went smoothly and seemed to install. However, when I tried I wasn't able to reboot. Got error messages. With forum help I loaded Kubuntu from the live CD and then used the console to find GRUB and install it. When I finished I got a message that said "success." Tried and failed to reboot. Following another forum suggestion I downloaded and burned onto a CD the supergrub live CD. Couldn't get it to boot. Went to the grub forum, registered, and prepared a message defining the problem and asking for help. Forum rejected my message. It gave me an error message in Spanish. That did it for me. I've wasted about a week of my time getting this to work and I haven't made any progress. If anything, I've made matters worse. No more. Ive reluctantly concluded that Linux is too convoluted and arcane for use by those only interested in running applications. Very few things work according to the instructions. When an error occurs, it is very difficult to diagnose and often even more difficult to correct. Kubuntu seems to be suited only for those who thoroughly understand the Unix command line operating system.

Now, how do I get my computer back? I'd just as soon delete all the partitions where Linux is loaded so that I'll have the whole drive for Windows. I don't know how to do this or where to find information on how to do it. Fortunately, I've backed up all of the Windows portion of the C drive, and I've even backed up the D drive. My experiences with Kubuntu have left me with an inoperable computer and no knowledge as to how to get it running again.

Help will definitely be appreciated!

[IgnorantGuru]

Re: I want my computer back

Just curious - did you explore my suggestion below re BIOS and disabling the boot agent?

As for Kubuntu, I agree to an extent. Installing it can require a bit of work and research, especially if things don't go smoothly with the hardware. However, once it's set up it does not require a lot of technical knowledge to use for running popular apps. A bit more than Windows in some cases, less in others. Windows is no joy to use either, and is not "easy" for many people to install and maintain due to its endless problems. You're just used to its idiosyncracies.

So my suggestion would be to stick with it for awhile, at least on a separate partition where you can get to know it. Once you get past the installation hurdle it gets a lot easier. Dealing with the initial install and hardware issues is always the worst of the process. And once you get it installed the way you like it tends to be MUCH more reliable than Windows.

As for getting your system back, reinstalling the Windows MBR boot code and making the Windows partition the boot partition should accomplish that. Search for info on the MS "fixmbr" utility.

My current theory is that your BIOS boot agent recognizes the Windows MBR but for some reason doesn't like the grub one - which isn't a Kubuntu fault. So installing the Windows MBR may fix it. However, I would definitely try checking the BIOS boot order to make sure the HD is first, and try disabling the boot agent. If you can get grub to boot you'll have a dual-boot system and can play with linux while still having windows operable.

[tlinux]

Re: I want my computer back

Good news! While looking for a Windows CD, and it turns out that I don't have one, I found a Norton SystemWorks 2003 disk. Don't believe I've ever used it before. It says that it can be used as an emergency boot disk so I put it in the CD drive and started the computer. I got the option of booting from the hard drive or the CD. I chose the hard drive. That brought up the grub menu allowing me to log into either Kubuntu or Window. I checked out both options and both work fine.

I guess this means that my problem is with GRUB. Do you agree? If so, what do you recommend now?

I'm so pleased that I may not have to delete Kubuntu and reinstall Windows.

[IgnorantGuru]

Re: I want my computer back

Sounds good. No, I don't think the problem is with grub. If it was, it would not have booted as it did. The problem sounds like the hard drive is not being booted by the BIOS. The bootCD you used forced the computer to boot the hard drive, bypassing the BIOS startup mechanism. (The BIOS booted the CD, and the CD booted the hard drive.)

Did you look in the BIOS for the Boot Agent setting? That is what is giving you the error. Try disabling that. That may be why the BIOS is not booting the hard drive as it should be. Also, check the boot device order. It should be 1:CD, 2:HD, etc. If there is a network card listed before the CD drive, move it down past the HD.

Usually you press Del while the computer is first booting to enter the BIOS (aka "Setup").

It sounds like everything on the hard drive is fine, so I wouldn't mess with grub any further.

[MoonRise]

Re: I want my computer back

I agree with IgnorantGuru. That is probably your problem. I've run into major problems with Boot Agents even on systems that were strickly Windows.

[tlinux]

Re: I want my computer back

I copied the boot menu and it's at the following pastebin:

http://pastebin.ca/496127

Is this what you wanted? Does it make any sense to you. I note that the boot menu is currently in the Normal mode whereas yesterday I believe it was in the Advance mode. The computer is working fine now (it is now booting up on it's own) whereas it wasn't yesterday. BTW, I didn't find anything called a "Booting Agent" but I thought what I put in the pastebin was what you wanted.