WindowsXP/Linux Dual-Boot on Dell Dimension 3000
I just installed Ubuntu on my Dell Desktop. Originally my computer had 3 primary partitions (/dev/hd1a ~ 47MB), (/dev/hd2a ~ 145GB), (/dev/hd2a ~ 3GB). I read somewhere that the third partition was only used for system restore, so I used that for the swap and split the 145GB into two (115GB and 30GB). So now I had 4 partitions, the first two (47MB,115GB) for WindowsXP and then the last two (30GB,3GB) for Linux. The installer asked me where to install GRUB and I installed it to /dev/hd2a (which is the 115GB partition that contains WindowsXP). I finished the installation, and when I boot up my computer, GRUB asks me which OS I want to run. When I select the Windows XP option, a screen flashes really fast saying
“Starting up…
GRUB Loading stage2...”
then it cycles back to the GRUB screen that asks me which OS I want to run. But, if I select Ubuntu everything works fine.
Anyone know how to fix this?
- Login to post comments
Recovery partitions and the
Recovery partitions and the like are a real pain. If your system has one, you typically have to reinstall 'doze and Linux. I hope you had CD's of Windows before you nuked the partition :).
I would suggest taking this opportunity to grab a copy of XP Pro / Vista from MSDNA and do a clean install over top of the XP Home I assume you have installed. You'll have to back up your data using Ubuntu, but unless you're willing to deal with hours of pain and suffering keeping the original partition scheme just isn't worth it.
--
Andrew
Thanks Andrew, I actually
Thanks Andrew,
I actually already did that (wiped everything, and started from scratch), and it worked perfectly. Everything is working great now. I do have one question though. I used the "sudo apt-get install buil-essential" command that you told me about. It seems to have worked fine. I am missing one file though, "python.h". I can't find it anywhere. I tried 'apt-get install python' but it just says that I already have the most up to date version.
I'm trying to run my cis2750 a4 and keep getting "error: missing python.h".
You probably also need this
You probably also need this package python-dev or python2.x-dev where x is the version you want.
--
Andrew