Grub problem: After installing Fedora 15, I can't boot win xp from grub

oliveryty · #1 28th May 2011, 08:42 AM

I downloaded Fedora 15 and made a live usb installer.

I tried live cd mode with the usb installer, and it looked beautiful.

Later when I found that I could not figure out how to sshutdown, and I had to used command in the Terminal. (the command "halt" works like "suspend" in effect; and the most effective command to shut the computer down is "shutdown -h now")

I installed F15 in my desktop computer. It used to be Ubuntu+Win XP dual system, but after I replaced Ubuntu with Fedora 15 and rebooted it, the "Other" in the grub menu led to black screen, that is, my XP could not be reflected in the grub menu.

I don't know how to restore the grub so I reinstalled Win XP and formatted the linux partition. It was bothering.

leigh123linux · #2 28th May 2011, 09:45 AM

Please use normal size/colour fonts as per rules.

Posting Rules

oliveryty · #3 28th May 2011, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leigh123linux

Please use normal size/colour fonts as per rules.

Posting Rules

Sorry, I just wish it easy to read, and I found the normal size font is too small to read...

leigh123linux · #4 28th May 2011, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oliveryty

Sorry, I just wish it easy to read, and I found the normal size font is too small to read...

Thank you, if you use firefox try pressing Ctrl++ to increase size and Ctrl+- to reduce.

leigh123linux · #5 28th May 2011, 10:02 AM

Here's some gnome3 help hints

http://forums.fedoraforum.org/showthread.php?t=263006

as for the grub issue, fedora rarely detects Windows so you would need to manually edit grub.conf.

ziko · #6 28th May 2011, 10:11 AM

If you are going to install fedora 15 again, try to install grub to the / partition not to the bootsector of the entire harddisk. Then use bootpart26 program from within windows to make an entry in boot.ini file of windows to detect and boot grub.
This forum has huge amount of threads about how to dual boot fedora and windows, just search.

#7 28th May 2011, 10:13 AM

for Fedora to pick-up other OS's try installing os-prober in yum

leigh123linux · #8 28th May 2011, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by detox

for Fedora to pick-up other OS's try installing os-prober in yum

Does it work grub legacy?

#9 28th May 2011, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leigh123linux

Does it work grub legacy?

no idea. they wont help you with the question on the #grub irc channel either.

---------- Post added at 08:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:40 PM ----------

http://kitenet.net/~joey/code/os-prober/

leigh123linux · #10 28th May 2011, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by detox

no idea. they wont help you with the question on the #grub irc channel either.

---------- Post added at 08:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:40 PM ----------

http://kitenet.net/~joey/code/os-prober/

It doesn't but there is a guide to make it work grub legacy

http://hedayatvk.wordpress.com/2011/...ing-os-prober/

Raman009 · #11 28th May 2011, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oliveryty

I downloaded Fedora 15 and made a live usb installer.

I tried live cd mode with the usb installer, and it looked beautiful.

Later when I found that I could not figure out how to sshutdown, and I had to used command in the Terminal. (the command "halt" works like "suspend" in effect; and the most effective command to shut the computer down is "shutdown -h now")

I installed F15 in my desktop computer. It used to be Ubuntu+Win XP dual system, but after I replaced Ubuntu with Fedora 15 and rebooted it, the "Other" in the grub menu led to black screen, that is, my XP could not be reflected in the grub menu.

I don't know how to restore the grub so I reinstalled Win XP and formatted the linux partition. It was bothering.

If you install Fedora again, install using DVD.
Always install Linux after installing windows, not vice versa..

You need to have some unallocated space on your hard drive before following this method or you can delete any partition in windows to create unallocated space.

This unallocated space is where we are going to install Fedora.

1. Boot the system using Fedora DVD.
2. Select fresh install or upgrade an installed system(1st option.)
3. You must be knowing the steps after that(skipping here)
4.When type of installation menu appears, instead of other options, select custom layout..

You should know the size of space(this is the only way you can recognize the unallocated space available/created) in which you are going to install fedora.
Make three new partitions from the unallocated space..
boot,root,swap..

Boot:
Mount point : /boot
Space to be allocated : 200 MB

Swap:
Mount point: /swap
Space to be allocated : twice the RAM

Root:
Mount point : /
Space to be allocated: The leftover unallocated space(depends on ur choice)

Rest is simple. Click next. Rename the previous entry as Windows

Now when you reboot after installation is complete:
GRUB shows Windows as well as Fedora..

oliveryty · #12 29th May 2011, 04:49 AM

Thank you for all your help above.

I have been installing Fedora 14 (I like the feature to choose default booting os by ticking options) and did not encountered this kind of grub problem.

I'll try installing later.

---------- Post added at 03:49 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:46 AM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raman009

Rest is simple. Click next. Rename the previous entry as Windows

Now when you reboot after installation is complete:
GRUB shows Windows as well as Fedora..

Oh, rename what entry as Windows? What step is it?

Can you show me a snapshot if possible?

Raman009 · #13 21st July 2011, 11:21 AM

As i said earlier , install linux after windows if u want to dual boot ur windows with linus.
When the grub os selection menu appears, it shows the linux distro name and the previosuly installed window name...u can change it during installation of linux.

srry, i dnt have any snapshot..

I hope this solves ur problem..