Howto Restore Linux After Windows Installation

Howto Restore Linux After Windows Installation

1)Make directory.step1 and step2 are not necessary if you boot from linux cd in 'rescue' mode.

mkdir /mnt/sysimage

2) Mount root (/) partiton.Suppose our root partition is 'sda5'.

mount /dev/sda5 /mnt/sysimage

or

Boot from linux cd in 'rescue' mode. Then mount root (/) partition to '/mnt/sysimage'.

3)In rescue mode changing root to mounted partition.This is for accessing binaries(grub-install,grub) in the '/bin' and '/sbin' directories in the root (/) partition (mounted partition).

sh-3.2#  chroot /mnt/sysimage

sh-3.2#  ls

sh-3.2#  vim /boot/grub/grub.conf

sh-3.2#  vim /boot/grub/menu.lst

4) Installing grub to hard disk.

sh-3.2#  greb-install /dev/sda

sda --> First hard disk (represent a whole hard disk)

If it finished with message 'Installation finished, no error reported' go to next step.

5) To go to grub shell.

sh-3.2#  grub 

6)

grub> root (hd0,4)

* remember to use space between 'root' command and (hd0,4).

* Here we specifing the partition where '/boot' directory exist. If linux completly installed in a single partition (Eg:sda5) then use 'root (hd0,4)'. if we installed root (/) in 'sda5' and created a seperated partition 'sda8' for '/boot', then you have to specify the partition where '/boot' present, that is use 'root (hd0,7) here.

(hd0,4) --> sda5

(hd0,7) --> sda7

7)

grub> setup (hd0)

you will you get a success message.

8) Exit from grub shell

grub> quit

9) Checking 'grub.conf'.

sh-3.2#  vim /boot/grub/grub.conf

A)

* 'grub.conf' file of system with root (/) and '/boot' installed in seperated partition. Here root (/) installed in 'sda5 or (hd0,4)' and '/boot' installed in 'sda7 or (hda0,8).

----------

default=0

timeout=5

splashimage=(hd0,7)/grub/splash.xpm.gz    # --- Equal to sda7/grub/splash.xpm.gz means /boot/grub/splash.xpm.gz

hiddenmenu

title Fedora 10 (2.6.27.5-117.fc10.i686)

        root (hd0,7)  # --- Partition where '/boot' exist for search 'Kernal' and 'initrd' images. 

        kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.27.5-117.fc10.i686 ro root=UUID=c5b6e260-4732-45e9-b9a5-9f9b27991049 rhgb quiet

        initrd /initrd-2.6.27.5-117.fc10.i686.img

title Windows XP

        rootnoverify (hd0,0)

        chainloader +1

-----------

 * Here 'root=UUID=c5b6e260-4732-45e9-b9a5-9f9b27991049' (UUID of partition /dev/sda5)  or 'root=/dev/sda5'.Partition where root (/) file system exist.

 * Type 'vim /etc/fstab' to see 'UUID' of partitions. 

B)

* If linux completly installed in a single partition (Eg:sda5) then 'grub.conf' become look like

----------

default=0

timeout=5

splashimage=(hd0,5)/grub/splash.xpm.gz    # --- Equal to sda5/grub/splash.xpm.gz means /boot/grub/splash.xpm.gz

hiddenmenu

title Fedora 10 (2.6.27.5-117.fc10.i686)

        root (hd0,5)  # --- Partition where '/boot' exist for search 'Kernal' and 'initrd' images. 

        kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.27.5-117.fc10.i686 ro root=/dev/sda5 rhgb quiet

        initrd /initrd-2.6.27.5-117.fc10.i686.img

title Windows XP

        rootnoverify (hd0,0)

        chainloader +1

-----------

* 'root=/dev/sda5' Partition where root (/) file system exist.

10) Checking 'menu.lst'.

sh-3.2#  vim /boot/grub/menu.lst

do step9

11) reboot your system If above steps are ok.Thanks

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