I've been running linux on my main machine for quite some time, however just recently I've come across a few things that can only be done on windows. My computer orignally came with windows XP Home edition installed on it, so I figured it should be easy enough just to use the restore CD that my manufacturer (VPR Matrix) sent with the computer. However, when I tried restoring I first ran into a problem with partitioning. The restore disk tried to create a 'user partition' for me but could not. So, I wiped out all of the linux partitions. The restore CD could then make the user partition, and seemed to work fine. However, when I tried to boot up after the restore process was finished, the GRUB loader OS selection screen appeared and only gave me the choice of Linux. Now, it would seem to me that the restore CD should restore everything, including the default windows boot loader, but it didn't. Also, why won't GRUB see the new installation of windows and let me load it. If any additional information is needed, please ask and I will supply it. Thanks a lot, Ian

i am totally unfamiliar with grub and dual booting (you still want to dual boot...correct?). However i know that in order to successfully dual boot you ahve to start out with only windows... that means erase EVERYTHING (including MBR-which will uninstall grub), so you go through your windows installation, but leave a free partition for your linux install. Then when done install linux, including the boot loader (grub in your case). from there idk but here is a good link for dual boot howto(although it is for lilo, not grub. but i think you can pick lilo over grub in any linux install): http://www.justlinux.com/nhf/Booting_Your_OS/Overcoming_LILO_Dual_Boot_Problems.html goodluck and sorry i couldnt be of more help...

btw what distro (and version) of linux, and which version of windows. along with which partition/drive each OS is installed/going to be installed on.... eskiled

I actually don't want to dual boot. And, doing so would be more of a pain than I really want because I only have my manufacturer's restore CD, not the Windows XP CDs. So, when I install windows I really don't have any choices to manage partitioning because it just restores my disk to the same state it came to me. I would like to know if there is some website that I can get a version of DOS to boot to, so I can format the MBR and see if that will help, because the restore disk apparently doesn't do this. Also, will just formatting it do? Or do I also need to install another boot loader for windows?

I'm guessing XP is not on the C:drive? I believe the fdisk /mbr command will only work on C: Did you try the Recovery Console fixboot command? sLLs

use the XP cd or "XP 6 floppy desk set" and get into Recovery Console from there run FIXMBR and FIXBOOT. fixmbr will rewrite the mbr and fixboot will rewrite the volume boot code.