[NTLUG:Discuss] MBR Problem?

[Leroy Tennison]

Bobby Sanders wrote:
> My daughter has a Dell 1710 with XP. Some weeks ago I tried to make it a
> dual boot unit using wubi.  When we ran wubi.exe it searched for a cdrom
> instead of downloading the necessary files from the Internet.  When we
> started Windows, it would go to the grub screen and when we selected
> ubuntu, it would try to read from the cd.  I had left it at home. :( 
> Then it started going to the grub screen and jumping immediately to
> Windows.  (I can get to and hold the grub screen.)
>
> Now when it powers on she gets the BSD with the following message:
>
> ---------------------------------------------
>
> A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent
> damage to your computer.
>
> Inconsistency detected in the PCI Bus driver's internal structures.
>
> If is the first time you've seen this stop error screen, restart your
> computer.  If this screen appears again, follow these steps:
>
> Check to make sure any new hardware or software is properly installed. 
> If this is a new installation, ask your hardware or software
> manufacturer for any window updates you might need.
>
> If problems continue, disable or remove any newly installed hardware or
> software.  Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing.  If
> you need to use Safe Mode to remove or disable components, restart your
> computer, press F8 to select Advanced startup options, and then select
> Safe Mode.
>
> Technical Information:
>
> ***STOP: 0x000000A1 (0xDEAD0010, 0x8A77ACD0, 0x00000000.0x00000000)
>
> -----------------------------
>
> The machine boots and runs perfectly from an iso thumb drive with Ubuntu
> 9.10 on it.
>
> She needs desperately to get back to the original XP because of some
> programs she has on it.
>
> I am at a loss.  The only thing I can think of to do is to try to
> complete the dual boot process by using an  iso cdrom with  Ubuntu 9.10 
> on it.  Maybe  there is a way  to recreate the original MBR and remove 
> grub when, and if, I get into XP.
>
> Suggestions, ideas, comments, questions, tutorials, would be most
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Bobby
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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>
>   
I don't remember the exact details but you can boot an XP installation 
into "repair mode".  One option is for it to restore the MBR.  If I 
remember correctly the other is to repair the existing installation.  
Search the Web for XP and MBR, also search for "repair console" (I 
believe that's what it is called).  Not sure what your daughter is 
needing to do with the Windows program but, if it's to retrieve data, 
you could boot to a Linux Live CD and mount the partition.  Copy data to 
a USB device.  This is probably not a bad idea as a first step 
regardless of what path you take.  I'm learning the hard way about 
losing data...