Boot Ubuntu from XP

OK, here is the little trick if you really messed up your XP.
Reason?: Well, people reinstall XP all the time just because Win sucks. But we don't have to reinstall Ubuntu/Linux since it is kinda stable.

So, here is what to do before you decide to reinstall XP. (assume you are using Grub bootloader)

From Linux terminal:
mkdir /media/bootloader
sudo dd if=/dev/sda of=/media/bootloader/ubuntu.bin bs=512 count=1 \\ If you use SATA
sudo dd if=/dev/hda of=/media/bootloader/ubuntu.bin bs=512 count=1 \\ If you use ATA


You are done on Linux part. You will find ubuntu.bin in /media/bootloader.

Now, try to move this file into WinXP C:\. You can use USB stick, direct write to NTFS, or you can email this file to yourself.

Boot into WinXP. Do this:
Star>Control Panel>System>System Restore>Edit
It will open a notepad with bootloader command. At last line, add:
C:\ubuntu.bin=Ubuntu Linux

Save it and reboot.

Now, if you still using Grub and haven't reinstall XP, you have the chance to test it. Grub bootloader will start after you reboot, now select Windows XP, then you will start XP bootloader. You will see the line you've just added, "Ubuntu Linux". Select it and it will reload Grub again.

After you reinstall XP, just do the same thing in XP part. And don't forget to delete Grub menu WinXP line after reinstall, it is useless.

 

I'm not sure I understand the point of this besides sticking it on a USB drive in case your Windows install gets hosed. Personally, I would rather use GRUB anyway. It's pretty much it's own little OS. And it's much easier to configure and customize IMO. Still, this might be good if you're in a bind.

 

Well, somebody does like one little feature that Grub won't do. The HP's quickplay or similar thing in Dell. Once Grub get hold of mbr, Quickplay won't start.

Yeah, you are right, everyone can reinstall Grub whenever they know what to do. I tested it, but not really use it since I haven't reinstall XP that much.

 

Well, QuickPlay and MediaDirect I guess are good uses of this. I rarely use my XP install any more, so I don't even feel like booting into it to try this any more. Besides, I have GRUB set up exactly the way I need right now. I don't really wanna go messing around with it right now.

 

Yes, GRUB eats away QuickPlay and MediaDirect. There was a long-winded workaround for this, but quite frankly it isn't worth your time. I can look for and post the link in the Ubuntu Forums if you desire.

 

I don't see any real solution posted. There are "source code", but is a bit of old version. It is not Linux or Ubuntu problem, it is Grub with Quickplay. If you are in Linux, you can redefine the quickplay button to whatever the player you like.