GRUB Error 22-Urgent Help Needed

I was having some issues with Ubuntu 7.10 so I thought for the time-being I will remove it from my dual-booting SZ and so I removed the Ubuntu partition with Computer Management in Vista. I rebooted and in loading the GRUB, it gives me Error 22.

I read that inserting your Windows CD and putting it in Recovery Mode should allow you to fix this with the command " fixmbr " but I dont have a Windows CD. Vista came with my laptop, and I just have recovery discs. I inserted disc 1 of 2 and tried the options but I wasnt able to do it.

Can anyone help me fix this error?

 

The error is normal, because you removed the partition without removing GRUB so GRUB doesn't understand what's going on (the Linux entry is now invalid)

When you say you tried the options...what are the options? what do you have when you insert the recovery disks?

 

If you can't find the M$ fixmbr tool, I've got a couple of suggestions to boot Windows until you find a solution.

You can install any simple boot loader/manager into the MBR that will boot a Primary partition that has the boot flag set.

1) GAG is simple to install. Although it is bigger than the bootload code area in the MBR and uses a number of sectors following the first hard disk sector - this isn't a problem unless you've been doing something non-standard with the sizing of your Windows partition.

2) Re-install Ubuntu. I know you've said that you've got issues with it, but it is the easiest way that I can think of installing the GRUB bootloader. If you don't mind wasting the space to the linux partitions, you can alter the grub menu to boot the Windows OS by default and reduce the delay that the menu is displayed.

 

I have just inserted Recovery Disk 1 of 2, and my options are:

Startup Repair
(Automatically fix problems that are preventing Windows from starting)

--Already tried, nothing showed up

System Restore
(Restore Windows to an earlier point in time)

--Already tried, restored my system to a manual restore point I set like 2 days ago

Windows Complete PC Restore
(Restore your entire computer from a backup)

--Did not try, I do not have a backup source to backup my computer from

Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool
(Check your computer for memory hardware errors)

--Did not try

Command Prompt
(Open a command prompt window)

--Did not try

VAIO Recovery Center
(Launch the VAIO Recovery Center)

--Did not try...I think this resets my entire computer to factory state

I have all my files stored on my D drive, and crucial files backed up on DVDs, so if worse happens, I might just have to use VAIO Recovery Center to restore my C drive to factory state.

 

"Startup repair" should be the good thing...don't know why it doesn't work

I think that Ultimate boot cd ( www.ultimatebootcd.com/) has some tools to restore a new MBR

 

Of those options the Command prompt sounds the most promising.

You are going to have to type in the command 'fixmbr', sorry it isn't a GUI program.

 

Oh yeah, it's true...I didn't see it

 

I think I tried typing in " fixmbr " into the Command Prompt but it did not recognize the command.

Now if I option for the VAIO Recovery Center and restore my C drive to factory state, will I be able to boot straight into Vista?

 

Mmmm, maybe it has changed in Vista, see the following support page:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927392

 

This looks like a string of commands to enter into the Command Prompt RE(Recovery Center)

I will surely try this out, seems like it will work. Thanks a lot. Rep Added, even if it doesnt work.

 

If it was me, I think I would only try 'bootrec /FixMbr'.

 

I just tried the help from Microsoft Support and it worked perfectly. I optioned for the Command Prompt, and typed in Bootrec.exe, followed by Bootrec.exe/FixMbr, and upon output display of action completed successfully or something like that, I rebooted, and no GRUB appeared...I'm booted straight into Vista. Thanks again for your help, and to everyone in this thread who took time to provide input.

 

John and timberwolf, you guys have just been added to my "See these gents when I don't know what the hell I'm doing" list. Well done.

 

The worst is that I read that page a couple hours ago and forgot!!

Thank you