PC not booting to Windows

CaffinePhil · 02-18-2008, 05:29 AM

I have a PC at home that I don't use often because it keeps crashing, well this weekend I decided to use the built-in system restore function and see if that would solve the problem. It was running a dual boot between Ubuntu and Windows XP.

I completed the system restore and the PC rebooted, now all it does it restarts, flashes up a black screen saying GRUB then restarts again, I have tried to chance the boot devise but get the same problem. The PC did not come with an XP Disc just the segment of the Hard Drive with the restore function.

How can I get the system to boot or at least get to a command prompt. (F8 on start up has been re-progammed by the manufacturers to fetch the boot list up).

I hope someone can help.

**3ncryptabl3_lick** · 02-18-2008, 11:25 AM

Have you contacted the manufacturer or searched their site for Support information?

CaffinePhil · 02-19-2008, 01:46 AM

The store I brought it from has a reputation for poor after sales support. The manufacturer said I needed to see the store I brought it from. Looks like another dead PC.

**3ncryptabl3_lick** · 02-19-2008, 01:58 AM

The store will only support it for the extent of the warranty you purchased (if any). So the manufacturer is your best bet. Who made it? what model is it? and where did you buy it?

And you used the system restore feature from the boot menu? The word "grub" doesnt make sense to me. The system restore is made with a few functions to either wipe the drive or restore drivers to their default, have you wiped the drive and tried a full restore? Also make sure it works before you try and dual boot. Get windows working first and from your bios, make sure your primary drive is the boot drive. Not the cd.

If worse comes to worse, put a new drive into it and reinstall windows.

CaffinePhil · 02-19-2008, 03:23 AM

Thanks for your comments 3ncryptabl3_lick.

I bought the PC from PC World and its a Packard Bell machine. The system was running a dual boot and was working fine. I decided to do a factory restore after having problems with software locking up and having alot of rubbish on it.

When I press F8 I do not get the normal boot menu, a revised Packard Bell one with limited options and no option for a command prompt.

**3ncryptabl3_lick** · 02-19-2008, 04:01 AM

Packard bell? Geezuz...

What is the model number or type? Also what are the specs?

Also, where are you located? EU? or USA?

And you say you've been here: http://www.packardbell.com/ and selected SUPPORT, entered your COUNTRY and SERIAL number and so on... They should be your first step in recovering your computer.

There is also a Packard Bell forum here: http://forum.packardbell.com/en/ Which will most definitely be of more use.

CaffinePhil · 02-20-2008, 03:40 AM

I'm based in the UK. I will check out the Packard Bell forum, I'm at work at the minute so will check the model number and spec this evening.

Deejay Dan · 02-21-2008, 12:50 PM

Phil,

Sounds like you've fried your Master Boot Record, due to the system restore GRUB (the boot loader) cannot load from the correct partition. Check out this post over on the Ubuntu Forums for instructions on restoring GRUB from the Ubuntu Live CD, http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=224351

Other than that, you doing a system restore may have wiped your Ubuntu partition. If that happened just reinstall Ubuntu again or overwrite the current MBR by using the an XP CD and repairing the install, that will get you back into Windows.

CaffinePhil · 02-22-2008, 03:32 AM

Thanks Dan, I used a friends XP cd and am now back up and running. Damn system restores. ;o)